CITB Working at Height — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the employer's primary duty?
- To provide a harness to every worker at height
- To avoid work at height where possible; where not, to plan, supervise, and carry out work at height safely (Correct answer)
- To ensure all work at height is done by specialist contractors
- To notify the HSE before any work at height begins
Correct answer: To avoid work at height where possible; where not, to plan, supervise, and carry out work at height safely
The WAH Regulations 2005 follow the avoid-prevent-mitigate hierarchy: avoid work at height if possible; prevent falls if not; minimise the consequences of a fall where prevention is not fully achievable.
Question 2: How does the Work at Height Regulations 2005 define 'working at height'?
- Work carried out above 2 metres from the ground
- Work in any place from which a person could fall and injure themselves, including below ground level (Correct answer)
- Work on scaffolding or ladders only
- Any work conducted on a roof
Correct answer: Work in any place from which a person could fall and injure themselves, including below ground level
The Regulations define 'at height' as any place from which a fall could result in injury — there is no minimum height threshold, and it includes excavations and holes at ground level.
Question 3: When should a ladder be used for work at height?
- For any task lasting up to one hour
- Only when the risk assessment shows it is the most suitable equipment for a low-risk, short-duration task (Correct answer)
- Whenever scaffolding would take too long to erect
- For all external work on buildings below five storeys
Correct answer: Only when the risk assessment shows it is the most suitable equipment for a low-risk, short-duration task
Ladders should only be used when a risk assessment shows they are the most appropriate equipment — they are not a default choice, particularly for anything other than short-duration, low-risk tasks.
Question 4: Which of the following is a collective protection measure for work at height?
- A safety harness and lanyard
- Edge protection including guard rails and toe boards (Correct answer)
- A hard hat
- A non-slip boot sole
Correct answer: Edge protection including guard rails and toe boards
Collective protection measures protect everyone in the area without requiring individual action — guard rails and toe boards are collective measures that reduce fall risk for all workers automatically.
Question 5: At what angle should a portable ladder be set for safe use?
- 45 degrees (1 out for every 1 up)
- 75 degrees (1 out for every 4 up) (Correct answer)
- 60 degrees
- 90 degrees (vertical)
Correct answer: 75 degrees (1 out for every 4 up)
A portable ladder should be set at approximately 75 degrees — the 1-in-4 rule: for every 4 metres of height, place the base 1 metre out from the wall.
Question 6: Under the WAH Regulations 2005, who must inspect working platforms before first use?
- Any trained worker on site
- A competent person, who records the inspection (Correct answer)
- The HSE inspector
- The scaffold manufacturer's representative
Correct answer: A competent person, who records the inspection
Regulation 12 requires working platforms from which a person could fall 2 metres or more to be inspected by a competent person before first use, after adverse weather, and at least every 7 days.
CITB Working at Height
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the employer's primary duty?