CITB Managers Working at Height Regulations — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first step in the hierarchy for managing risks from working at height?
- Use collective fall prevention measures such as guardrails
- Use personal fall protection equipment such as harnesses
- Avoid work at height wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so (Correct answer)
- Minimise the distance and consequences of a fall
Correct answer: Avoid work at height wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so
Regulation 6 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 establishes a clear hierarchy: first avoid working at height if reasonably practicable, then use work equipment or measures to prevent falls, and finally use measures to minimise the distance and consequences of any fall.
Question 2: At what height do the Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply?
- Only above 2 metres
- Only above 3 metres
- At any height where a person could fall and be injured (Correct answer)
- Only above 1.5 metres
Correct answer: At any height where a person could fall and be injured
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury, regardless of the actual height. There is no minimum height threshold. A fall from a kerb could be covered if it could cause injury.
Question 3: A scaffold has been erected on a construction site. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, who must inspect it before it is used?
- Any available site worker
- A competent person (Correct answer)
- The scaffold supplier only
- The client's representative
Correct answer: A competent person
Regulation 12 requires that scaffolding is inspected by a competent person before being put into use, after any event likely to have affected its stability, and at regular intervals not exceeding 7 days. The competent person must have adequate training, knowledge and experience.
Question 4: How often must a scaffold on a construction site be inspected under the Work at Height Regulations 2005?
- Every 14 days
- At intervals not exceeding 7 days (Correct answer)
- Monthly
- Only after adverse weather
Correct answer: At intervals not exceeding 7 days
Regulation 12(3) requires scaffolds to be inspected at intervals not exceeding 7 days. Additional inspections are required after any event likely to have affected stability or strength, such as adverse weather or accidental damage.
Question 5: Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, when should edge protection be provided on a flat roof being used as a workplace?
- Only if the roof is more than 3 metres high
- Only if workers will be on the roof for more than 30 minutes
- Wherever there is a risk of a person falling from the edge or through a fragile surface (Correct answer)
- Only if specifically requested by the workers
Correct answer: Wherever there is a risk of a person falling from the edge or through a fragile surface
Edge protection must be provided wherever there is a risk of a person falling from an edge or through a fragile surface. This applies regardless of height or duration of work. The duty is to prevent falls, and edge protection (guardrails, toe boards, etc.) is a key collective protection measure.
Question 6: A construction manager needs to select equipment for a short-duration task at height. According to the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what factors must they consider when selecting the equipment?
- Only the cost of the equipment
- The working conditions, the nature of the work, the duration, and the risks to safety (Correct answer)
- Only the height of the work
- Whatever equipment is immediately available on site
Correct answer: The working conditions, the nature of the work, the duration, and the risks to safety
Regulation 7 requires that when selecting work equipment for work at height, account must be taken of the working conditions and risks, the distance and consequences of a potential fall, the duration and frequency of use, ease of access, and any additional risks posed by the equipment itself.
CITB Managers Working at Height Regulations
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first step in the hierarchy for managing risks from working at height?