Technical Library

The Work at Height Regulations 2005

The Work at Height Regulations are the most important change in health and safety for those working at height in the UK since the introduction of the Health & Safety at Work Act in 1974. They have massive implications on all aspects of work, from planning and equipment selection, through worker training, risk assessments, rescue plans, equipment inspection and record-keeping. They are also the first dedicated set of regulations to govern everyone working at height, from a window cleaner on a stepladder through industrial climbers, tree surgeons, scaffolders, theatre riggers and up to technical rescue and emergency service specialists.


These pages give impartial and plain-English advice on the Regulations and how they impact on your job.


An Overview of What the Regulations Mean

Who They Apply To

The Entire Regulations Explained Line-By-Line

Full Text of the Regulations (SI 0735:2005 from the HMSO)

The Temporary Work at Height Directive (from the Europa server)


The information on this website is provided for guidance only and does not constitute an approved code of practice.


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