Working at height is a routine task across construction, maintenance, telecommunications and logistics — and one of the most dangerous. Falls from height remain a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities in the UK, which is why Working at Height training isn’t just sensible but legally significant for many roles. If you or your team work even a few feet off the ground, proper training keeps people safe and demonstrates compliance with the law.
What counts as working at height?
HSE definition
Working at height means any work where a person could fall and injure themselves — from a ladder, scaffold, roof, platform, or through a fragile surface. It doesn’t have to be a great height: even short falls can cause serious harm.
That breadth is the point — people often assume “height” means roofs and scaffold towers, but a fall from a stepladder onto a hard floor can be just as serious. The law treats the risk, not the distance.
Why the training matters
Legal compliance
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require all work at height to be properly planned and carried out by competent people. Training is how you demonstrate that competency.
Reduced risk
Training helps workers identify and minimise hazards, lowering the chance of falls and injuries on site.
Greater confidence
Workers who know how to use ladders, harnesses, scaffolds and PPE correctly are more confident and more efficient.
Business protection
Accidents can lead to fines, claims and project delays. Training helps mitigate those risks before they materialise.
What the training covers
Content varies by provider, but most Working at Height courses cover:
Typical course content
- An overview of the Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Employer and employee roles and responsibilities
- Risk assessment and the hierarchy of control
- Safe use of access equipment (ladders, MEWPs, scaffolding)
- Harness and fall-arrest systems
- Inspection and maintenance of PPE
- Emergency and rescue procedures
Training can be delivered in a classroom, on site, or online depending on the needs of your workforce.
Who should take it?
Anyone whose role involves working above ground level — or supervising those who do — should complete a Working at Height course:
Certification and renewal
Most courses provide a certificate on successful completion, serving as proof of competency. There’s no fixed legal expiry, but refresher training every three years is widely recommended — or sooner if a worker’s role changes or new equipment is introduced.
Training proves competency, but the Work at Height Regulations also expect each task to be planned and risk-assessed. Our templates and tools include risk assessment forms to help you document that planning alongside the training.
Frequently asked questions
Is working at height training a legal requirement?
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require work at height to be carried out by competent people. Training is the standard way to demonstrate that competency, making it effectively essential for affected roles.
How long does the certification last?
There’s no fixed legal expiry, but refresher training every three years is widely recommended — or sooner if circumstances, roles or equipment change.
Can the training be done online?
Yes. Many courses are available online, on site, or in a classroom, depending on your needs and the provider. Practical equipment-specific training, however, usually needs a hands-on element.