Working at Height
safety audit checklist

Scaffolding, edge protection, ladders, MEWPs, harnesses.

Every check below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or HSE guidance it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. Critical checks are marked: a fail on one of those stops the activity.

1. 1.

   Scaffolding tagged and inspected within 7 days

   Critical: a fail stops the work
   What to look forScafftag at every access point, green = inspected and safe, red = do not use. Inspection date within last 7 days, after any alteration, or after weather event likely to affect stability. Inspector named, CISRS Advanced Scaffold Inspection or equivalent. Erected by CISRS scaffolders. Toe boards (min 150mm), guard rails (1.1m and intermediate), ledger braces present.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 12, inspect before first use, after any event likely to affect, every 7 days while erected. SG4:22, Preventing Falls in Scaffolding (NASC). TG20:21, current good practice for tube and fitting.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 12 + Schedule 3. NASC SG4:22, TG20:21. BS EN 12811-1:2003. CISRS for competence.
   Common defectsTag missing or red, scaffold still in useInspection over 7 days oldToe boards missing on returns, material kicks off edgeSingle guard rail at 1.1m, no intermediate at 0.5mBoards untied, windlift during gustModified by other trades (handrails removed for material lift), not re-inspected
2. 2.

   Edge protection in place at all open edges

   Critical: a fail stops the work
   What to look forEdge protection at every fall risk over 2m (and below if injury possible). Top rail 950mm-1.1m, intermediate at half height (max 470mm gap), toe board min 150mm. Suitable for fall direction (handrail load 0.74kN). No gaps in protection. Stair voids, lift shafts, deck openings covered or barriered.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 6, Schedule 2. BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018, temporary edge protection. Top rail 950mm minimum, gap to intermediate ≤470mm, toe board 150mm minimum. Class A/B/C per fall angle.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005. BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018. SG4:22. HSG33, Health and safety in roofwork.
   Common defectsSingle rope or tape used as guardrail, no load capacityGap >470mm between top rail and intermediateNo toe board, tools kicked off edge onto people belowHeras fence at edge, knocks over, tips operativeStair voids open, covered with plywood, not screwed downOpen lift shaft, barrier moved for delivery, not replaced
3. 3.

   Ladders secured and at correct angle
   What to look forLadders only where ladder is right tool (short duration, low risk per HSG33). Set at 1:4 (75°), 1m out for every 4m up. Tied at top, footed if not tied. Extends 1m above landing or has equivalent handhold. Industrial Class 1 or EN 131. Stiles undamaged, rungs secure, feet clean and intact. Three points of contact rule briefed.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 6, ladders only where use of more suitable equipment not justified. Schedule 6. 1:4 angle (75°). Min 1m above landing. EN 131-2 Professional. Pre-use checks documented.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 Schedule 6. BS EN 131-2:2010+A2:2017 (professional ladders). INDG402, Safe use of ladders and stepladders.
   Common defectsLadder set near vertical (less than 70°), kicks outNot tied or footed, slips at topRung damaged but ladder still in useUsed as work platform for >30 mins (should be tower/MEWP)Carrying loads up ladder, three-point contact lostDomestic Class 3 ladder used on site
4. 4.

   MEWP/cherry picker operators hold valid IPAF
   What to look forIPAF PAL Card (or equivalent CITB/national scheme) for the specific category being operated (1a, 1b, 3a, 3b). Card in date, IPAF valid 5 years. Familiarisation on the specific machine model documented. Pre-use checks completed. Harness worn in 3a/3b boom MEWPs and short lanyard to anchor point.
   Acceptable whenPUWER 1998 Reg 9, only trained and authorised operators. LOLER 1998, MEWPs are lifting equipment. IPAF PAL is the recognised standard. Familiarisation on specific machine before first use.
   StandardPUWER 1998. LOLER 1998. IPAF PAL Card scheme. BS ISO 18878:2013 (operator training).
   Common defectsPAL Card expiredCard category 1a but operating 3b, wrong classNo familiarisation on this specific MEWP modelNo harness/lanyard in boom-type MEWPPre-use checks not done, operating with tilt alarm sensor faultyOperating outdoors with wind above MEWP rated speed
5. 5.

   Harness worn and attached where required
   What to look forFull body harness EN 361, lanyard EN 354/355 with shock absorber, or fall arrest block EN 360. Anchor point rated EN 795, capable of 12kN minimum. Attachment to dorsal D-ring (preferred). Lanyard length + clearance > distance to next obstacle (typically need 6.75m clearance with shock-absorbing lanyard). Pre-use inspection. Within 6-monthly thorough examination.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005, fall arrest only when prevention/restraint not possible. LOLER 1998, 6-monthly thorough examination of harness/lanyard. Anchor point EN 795 rated 12kN. Operative trained per WAH Reg 5.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005. LOLER 1998 Reg 9. BS EN 361 (harness), EN 355 (shock-absorbing lanyard), EN 795 (anchor). INDG367, Inspecting fall arrest equipment.
   Common defectsHarness worn but lanyard not clipped onAnchor point a scaffold tube, not certified anchorInsufficient clearance below, operative would hit groundLanyard webbing chemical-stained or cut, should be retiredNo 6-monthly thorough exam recordSingle-tail lanyard used, operative unhooked while moving (no continuous attachment)
6. 6.

   No materials stored near open edges
   What to look forMin 600mm setback from any edge, more if loose. Proper storage compounds away from edges. Bricks/blocks banded and palletised, not loose stacked. Tools tethered when working at height (adopt-IT lanyards on hand tools). No empty drinks bottles, offcuts, dust on edge.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 10, falling objects to be prevented. CDM 2015 Reg 25, materials stored safely. Toe board (150mm min) plus brick guard if storing materials near edge. Designated material laydown areas.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 10. CDM 2015 Reg 25. BS EN 13374:2013+A1:2018 (toe boards/brick guards).
   Common defectsLoose blocks stacked at scaffold edge, kicked offHand tools (hammers, drills) untethered at heightToe board removed for delivery, not refittedEmpty bottles dropped over the edge, public roadPallets stored leaning against edge protection
7. 7.

   Fragile surfaces identified and protected
   What to look forFragile surfaces (asbestos cement, fibre cement, rooflights, old slate, polycarbonate skylights) marked with signage. Stagings/crawl boards across rafters. Edge protection plus roof safety nets below. NEVER walk on without survey. Fragile rooflight cages or covers fitted permanently to prevent fall through.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 9 + Schedule 4. HSG33, Health and safety in roof work. ACR(M)001:2019, Test for non-fragility of large element roofing assemblies. All roofs treated as fragile until proven otherwise.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 9 & Schedule 4. HSG33, Roof work. ACR(M)001:2019. INDG284, Working on roofs.
   Common defectsWalking on rooflights, falls through frequently fatalNo fragile surface signage on roofNo staging or crawl boards over fragile materialSolar PV install team unaware of asbestos cement belowEdge protection but no underneath fall arrestCherry-picker access not used where it would be safer
8. 8.

   Safe access/egress to all work platforms
   What to look forStair towers (preferred) or properly fitted ladder access for scaffold lifts. Trap-door covers fitted on each lift, kept closed when not in use. Ladders pass through ladder traps, not externally on the scaffold. No climbing scaffold framework. Access lit if dark. Hatches not blocked by stored materials.
   Acceptable whenWork at Height Regs 2005 Reg 6 + 7, safe means of access. NASC TG20:21, internal stair tower or proper ladder access. Hatch covers SG4:22. No external climbing.
   StandardWork at Height Regs 2005. NASC TG20:21, SG4:22. BS EN 12811-1:2003.
   Common defectsExternal ladder leaning on scaffold, uncontrolledOperatives climbing scaffold framework / ledgersHatch left open, fall through aboveMaterials stacked over access hatchNo lighting in stair tower at start of dark shift

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