RISK ASSESSMENT WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL WORK AT HEIGHT RISK ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
SERVICE UNIT:
COMPLETED BY:
DATE:
TASK DESCRIPTION:
Key Boxes coloured grey must have a YES answer
√ Appropriate box
Yes
1
1.1
2.
Can work at height be avoided?
No
N/A
Advice/Comment
If YES there is no need to continue
Plan and Organise
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3.
Has the work been properly planned?
It is being appropriately supervised?
Have you planned for emergencies and
rescue?
Have you undertaken a risk assessment
for the work?
Does the risk assessment take into
account young persons?
Weather
3.1
4.
4.1
4.2
Will you postpone the work if weather
conditions endanger health and safety?
Training
Are all personnel involved in the work
competent?
If personnel are being trained to do the
work are they being adequately
supervised?
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Justification
4.3
5
5.1
6
Have all personnel who will be working
at height been trained in how to avoid
falling and how to avoid or minimise
injury if they fall?
Where Work is Done
Have you ensured that the place where
the work is to be done at height
(including access) is safe and has
features to present a fall
Equipment Choice
6.1
Does the work equipment prevent a
fall?
6.2
Does the equipment minimise the
distance and consequence of a fall?
Schedule 1 conditions must be
satisfied
If you cannot ensure that the place
where work is done at height is safe
and has features to prevent a fall
(5.2 above) then, you must provide
equipment to prevent a fall. If you
cannot do that, you must do all that
is reasonably practicable to minimise
the distance and effect of a fall. The
most suitable equipment will be
equipment that gives collective
protection priority over personal
protection measures
If NO you must justify why you have
not chosen equipment that would
prevent a fall.
If NO you must justify why you have
not chosen equipment that would
minimise the distance and
consequence of a fall.
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6.3
Does the equipment minimise the
consequences of a fall?
If NO you must justify why you have
not chosen equipment that would
minimise the consequences of a fall.
6.4
Have you chosen work equipment
which does none of the above?
Specify what work equipment you
will be using.
6.5
Does the equipment choice give
collective protection?
Collective protection is given priority
over personal protection therefore if
your answer is NO you must justify
why you have not chosen collective
protection.
6.6
Does the equipment choice give
personal protection?
Is the equipment to be used properly
maintained and inspected?
Inspection
6.7
7
7.1
7.2
Schedules 2,3,4,5,6,7 apply. Is your
equipment is dealt with under any of
these Schedules you must complete
the relevant checklist.
Does the equipment you have chosen
comply with its relevant Schedule?
Will you check, on every occasion,
before the place at where work at
height takes place before it is used?
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7.3
7.4
7.5
7.6
7.7
8
Will you ensure any item mentioned in
Schedule 206 is inspected after
assembly or installation if its safety
depends on how it is assembled or
installed?
Will you make sure any deterioration
can be detected and remedied in good
time
If you use equipment from another
business will you make sure it is
accompanied by a document, which
makes clear the last inspection by
these regulations has been carried
out? (This applies to equipment that
you give to others)?
Will you ensur3e any platform for use
of access which a person could fall
more than 2m is inspected in place
before use (and not more than 7 days
before use?
Have you been given a report giving
Schedule 7 details within 24 hours of
the inspection of the platform being
done?
Fragile Surfaces
8.1
Mobile platforms do not need reinspection every time it is moved.
An at site inspection is sufficient.
You must keep platform reports on
site and thereafter for 3 months in
your office. Other records of
inspection must be kept until the
next inspection.
If this section is not applicable
please mark N/A in the “Justification”
box opposite.
Have you made sure no-one under
your control goes onto or near a fragile
surface unless it is safe for the worker
to do so?
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8.2
8.3
If personnel need to go onto or near a
fragile surface have you made them
aware of the danger
If work does take place on or near
fragile surfaces have you
You must erect fixed warning notices
at approaches to the danger zone.
Ensured that suitable platforms, coverings,
guard rails etc are provided to minimise the
risk
8.4
If the risk of a fall still exists after
putting in place suitable equipment
have you
Minimised the distance and effect of the
fall
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9.1
9.2
Falling Objects
Have you ensured non-one can bee
injured by anything falling?
If you cannot ensure that injury by
falling objects is eliminated have you
Ensured that the area is clearly indicated
and that unauthorised people are unable to
reach it
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SCHEDULE 1
Existing Places of Work, Means of Access or Egress At Height
Are/have they
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
Stable, have sufficient strength and
rigidity for purpose?
Resting on a stable and sufficiently
strong surface?
Sufficient in dimension for safe
passage of persons, use of plant or
materials required to be used and
provide a safe working area in relation
to the work to be carried out?
Suitable and sufficient means for
preventing a fall?
A surface that has no gap, which would
allow a person to fall through or
material or object to fall through and
injure a person or present a risk of
injury to anyone unless measures have
been taken to protect persons against
such a risk?
Constructed, used and maintained in a
condition so as to prevent so far as is
reasonably practicable slipping or
tripping or being caught between it and
an adjacent structure?
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SCHEDULE 2
GUARD-RAILS, TOE-BOARDS, BARRIERS AND SIMILAR COLLECTIVE MEANS OF PROTECTION
2.1
Does the means of protection have
2.1, 2.2, 2.3 – Subject to these
sufficient and suitable dimensions, strength
 there shall be no lateral opening
and rigidity for the purpose of use?
in the means of protection save
2.2
Is the means of protection placed, secured
at a point of access to a ladder or
and used to ensure so far as is reasonably
stairway where an opening is
practicable that they do not become
necessary.
accidentally displaced?
 means of protection shall be
2.3
Is the means of protection placed to
removed only for the time and to
prevent so far as is reasonably practicable
the extent necessary to gain
a fall or any person, material or object from
access or egress or for the
any place of work?
performance of a particular task
and must be replaced as soon as
possible.
the task must not be performed while
the means of protection are removed
unless effective compensatory safety
measures are in place
2.4
Is the top guard rail or other similar means
of protection at least 950mm or, if the
protection is already fixed at the coming
into force of these Regulations (6.4.05) be
at least 910mm above the edge from which
a person is liable to fall?
2.5
Are the toe-boards suitable and sufficient
to prevent the fall of any person, material
or object from any place of work?
2.6
Are intermediate guard-rails or similar
means of protection position so that any
gap between it and other means of
protection does not exceed 470mm?
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2.7
If any structure or part of a structure which
supports a means of protection or to which
a means of protection is attached of
sufficient strength and suitable for the
purpose of support or attachment?
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SCHEDULE 3
3.1
SURFACE CONDITION
Is the surface which supports the structure
stable, have sufficient strength and of
suitable composition to support the
supporting structure, the working platform
and any load intended to be put on the
working platform?
3.2
WORKING PLATFORMS
Supporting structure definition – Any
structure used to support a working
platform and includes any plant used
for that purpose.
STABILITY OF SUPPORTING
STRUCTURE
Is the supporting structure suitable, strong
and ridged enough for its use?
If it is a wheeled structure, is it prevented
by appropriate devices from moving
inadvertently during work at height?
Is it prevented from slipping by being
secured to the bearing surface or to
another structure, by provision of an
effective anti-slip device or by another
means, which is as effective?
Will it be stable when being erected, used
and dismantled?
Will it remain stable when altered or
modified?
3.3
STABILITY OF WORKING
PLATFORM
Is it suitable, strong and ridged enough for
its use?
Will it be erected and used to ensure its
components do not become accidentally
displaced as to endanger any person?
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If you alter or modify it will you ensure that
it remains stable?
Will it be dismantled in a way to prevent
accidental displacement?
3.4
SAFETY ON WORKING PLATFORMS
Do they have sufficient dimensions to allow
safe passage of persons and safe use of
any plant or materials required to be used
and provide a safe working area with
regard to the work being carried out?
Does it have a suitable surface and is it
constructed so that the surface of the
platform has no gap through which a
person could fall or through which any
material or object could fall and injure a
person?
If the platform surface and the construction
of that surface gives rise to another risk of
injury to any person other than that
mentioned above have all necessary
measures been taken to protect persons
against the risk?
Are the working platforms erected, used
and maintained in a condition that will
prevent slipping or tripping or a person
being caught between the working platform
and any adjacent structure?
3.5
LOADING
Have you made sure that working
platforms and any supporting structure is
not loaded so that it would give rise to a
risk of collapse or to any deformation
which could affect its safe use?
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3.6
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SCAFFOLDING
If the scaffold assembly does not conform
with a generally recognised standard
configuration or if you do not have
available a note of the calculations
covering the structural arrangements
contemplated have you made sure that
strength and stability calculations for the
scaffold has been carried out?
If the scaffold selected is complex, has
a competent person drawn up an
assembly, use and dismantling plan?
The plan can be in the form of a
standard plan, supplemented by
items relating to specific details of
the scaffolding in question.
Is there a copy of that plan, including
any instructions kept available for the
use of persons concerned in the
assembly, use, dismantling of alteration
of scaffold until it has been dismantled?
Are the dimensions, form and layout of
scaffolding decks appropriate to the
nature of the work to be performed and
suitable for the loads to be carried and
will they allow work and passage
safely?
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Has scaffold that is not available for
use, including during its assembly,
dismantling or alteration marked with
general warning signs in accordance
with the Health and Safety (Safety
Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
and has suitable physical means to
prevent access to the danger zone
been put in place?
Is the scaffolding assembled,
dismantled or significantly altered by a
competent person or under the
supervision of a competent person and
by persons who have received
appropriate and specific training in the
operations envisaged which addresses
specific risks that the operations could
entail and the precautions to be taken?
Do these competent persons or
persons under supervision of a
competent person who have received
appropriate and specific training as
specified above understand the plan for
the assembly, dismantling or
alterati8on of scaffold?
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Do these competent persons or
persons under supervision of a
competent person who have received
appropriate and specific training as
specified above take in to account
safety during the assembly, dismantling
or alteration of the scaffolding
concerned?
Do these competent persons or
persons under supervision of a
competent person who have received
appropriate and specific training as
specified above take measures to
prevent the risk of persons, materials
or objects falling
Do these competent persons or
persons under supervision of a
competent person who have received
appropriate and specific training as
specified above understand the safety
measures required in the event of
changing weather conditions that could
adversely affect the safety of the
scaffold in concerned?
Do these competent persons or
persons under supervision of a
competent person who have received
appropriate and specific training as
specified above know the permissible
loadings
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SCHEDULE 4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.4
4.5
COLLECTIVE SAFEGUARDS FOR ARRESTING FALLS
Can you demonstrate that the work activity
can be done safely using this safeguard
without affecting its effectiveness?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
Can you demonstrate that safer work
equipment cannot be used?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
Can you demonstrate that a sufficient
number of available persons have received
adequate training specific to the safeguard,
including rescue procedures?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
Will the safeguard to suitable ad of
sufficient strength to arrest safely the fall of
the person who is liable to fall?
If the safeguard designed to be attached,
can it be securely attached to all the
required anchors?
Are the anchors and means of attachment
of suitable and sufficient strength and
stability for the purpose of safely
supporting the likely loading in arresting
any fall and during any rescue?
If the safeguard is an airbag, landing mat
or similar is it stable?
If the safeguard is one that distorts in
arresting a fall does it give sufficient
clearance?
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4.6
Have you taken suitable and sufficient
steps to ensure that in the event of a fall
the safeguard itself does not cause injury
to the person who falls?
SCHEDULE 5
PERSONAL FALL PROTECTION SYSTEMS
5.1
Can you demonstrate that the work can be
performed safely while using the system
chosen?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
5.2
Can you demonstrate that the use of other
safer work equipment is not reasonably
practicable?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
5.3
Can you demonstrate that the user and a
sufficient number of available persons
have received adequate training specific to
the operations to be undertaken, including
rescue procedures?
If the personal fall protection system
suitable and sufficient in strength for the
task and the loading?
Does the personal fall protection system fit
the user?
Can the personal fall protection system be
correctly fitted?
Is the personal fall protection system
designed to minimise injury to the user and
can it be adjusted to prevent the user
falling or slipping from it?
Demonstrate this in the last column
If you cannot answer yes then you
cannot use this type of safeguard.
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
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5.8
5.9
5.10
5.11
5.12
5.13
Has the personal fall protection system
been designed, installed and used to
prevent unplanned or uncontrolled
movement of the user?
If the system is designed for used with an
anchor is it securely attached to at least
one anchor?
Is each anchor and the means of
attachment of suitable and sufficient
strength and stability for the task of
supporting the load?
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
WORK POSITIONING SYSTEMS
Is there a suitable backup system for
preventing or arresting a fall?
If the system includes a line as a backup
system, which the user is connected to, or
there is no reasonably practicable way to
comply with having a suitable back system
have you taken all measures to ensure that
the work positioning system does not fall?
ROPE ACCESS AND POSITIONING
TECHNIQUES
If the system comprises at least 2
separately anchored lines, of which one ie
the working line, is used as access, egress
and support and the other is the safety line
has a suitable harness connected to the
working line and safety line been provided
to the user?
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5.14
5.15
5.16
If the system comprises at least 2
separately anchored lines, of which one ie
the working line, is used as access, egress
and support and the other is the safety
line, is the working line equipped with a
safe means of ascent and descent with self
locking system to prevent the use falling if
there is a loss of control?
If the system comprises at least 2
separately anchored lines, of which one ie
the working line, is used as access, egress
and support and the other is the safety line
is that safety line equipped with a mobile
fall protection system connected to and
travels with the user of the system?
If the system comprises at least 2
separately anchored lines, of which one ie
the working line, is used as access, egress
and support and the other is the safety line
have you taken into account the duration of
the job plus the ergonomic constraints
which must be made for a seat with
appropriate accessories?
SINGLE ROPE SYSTEM
5.17
If you are using a system, which has a
single rope, can you demonstrate that a
second line would make the risk higher to
the person?
Demonstrate why it would make the
risk higher in the last column.
5.18
If using a system which has a single rope
have you taken appropriate measures to
ensure safety
Details what these measures are in
the last column.
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FALL ARREST SYSTEMS
5.19
5.20
5.21
Does it have a suitable means of
absorbing energy and limiting the forces
applied to the user’s body?
Can you ensure that it will not be used in a
way that would risk the line being cut?
Is there a clear zone where its use requires
it (allow for any pendulum effect)?
WORK RESTRAINT SYSTEM
5.22
5.23
If the work restraint system designed so
that when correctly used, it prevents the
user from getting into a position in which a
fall can occur?
Can you ensure that it will be used
correctly?
SCHEDULE 6
LADDERS
6.1
Can you demonstrate that the use of more
suitable work equipment is not justified
6.2
Will the ladder rest on a stable, firm
surface that is of sufficient strength and
suitable composition to support the ladder
so that the rungs or steps remain
horizontal and support any loading
intended to be placed on it?
The work must be
 Low risk and
 Duration of use short or
 there are existing features on site
which cannot be altered
Demonstrate your justification in the
last column.
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6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
Will the ladder be positioned to ensure
stability during use?
If a suspended ladder will it be attached in
a secure manner so that it cannot be
displaced and swinging is prevented
(exception a flexible ladder)?
Will portable ladders be prevented from
slipping by securing the stiles at or near
the upper or lower ends or; use effective
anti-slip or other effective stability device
or; use any other arrangement of
equivalent effectiveness?
If the ladder use for access long enough to
protrude sufficiently above the landing
place to which it provides access or have
you provided other measures to ensure a
firm handhold?
Are the sections of interlocking or
extension ladders prevented from moving
relative to each other while in use?
Will mobile ladders be prevented from
moving before it is stepped on?
Have ladders or a run of ladders which rise
a vertical distance of 9m or more above its
base been provided with sufficient safe
landing areas or rest platforms at suitable
intervals?
Is there a secure handhold and secure
support always available to the user?
Say which you have done in the last
column.
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6.11
Can the user maintain a safe handhold
when carrying a load?
A secure handhold must always be
maintained, unless maintenance of a
handhold is not practicable when
carrying a load. Light loads should be
carried in a back pack or tool belt.
Heavy loads must be lifted or
hoisted by the appropriate
equipment.
6.12
Can you demonstrate that the use of a
stepladder is justified because the risk is
low and the use is of short duration
Short duration – not more than 15-30
minutes, depending on the task
being performed. The person can
resume the operation after a suitable
break if necessary.
Only use step ladders when existing
features cannot be altered or other
methods cannot be used to avoid the
need to work at height.
SCHEDULE 7
7.1
REPORT OF INSPECTION PARTICULARS
Does the report of inspection have the following particulars
Name and address of the person for whom
the inspection was carried out?
Location of the work equipment inspected?
Description of the work equipment
inspected?
Date and time of the inspection
Details of any matter identified that could
give rise to a risk to the health or safety of
any person?
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Details of any action taken as a result of
any matter identified in (matters identified
that could give rise to a risk to the health or
safety of any person)?
Details of any further action considered
necessary?
Name and position of the person making
the report?
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