The Work at Height Regulations 2005

PART 1REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL WORKING PLATFORMS

Interpretation

1.  In this Schedule, “supporting structure” means any structure used for the purpose of supporting a working platform and includes any plant used for that purpose.

Condition of surfaces

2.  Any surface upon which any supporting structure rests shall be stable, of sufficient strength and of suitable composition safely to support the supporting structure, the working platform and any loading intended to be placed on the working platform.

Stability of supporting structure

3.  Any supporting structure shall—

(a)be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose for which it is being used;

(b)in the case of a wheeled structure, be prevented by appropriate devices from moving inadvertently during work at height;

(c)in other cases, be prevented from slipping by secure attachment to the bearing surface or to another structure, provision of an effective anti-slip device or by other means of equivalent effectiveness;

(d)be stable while being erected, used and dismantled; and

(e)when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable.

Stability of working platforms

4.  A working platform shall—

(a)be suitable and of sufficient strength and rigidity for the purpose or purposes for which it is intended to be used or is being used;

(b)be so erected and used as to ensure that its components do not become accidentally displaced so as to endanger any person;

(c)when altered or modified, be so altered or modified as to ensure that it remains stable; and

(d)be dismantled in such a way as to prevent accidental displacement.

Safety on working platforms

5.  A working platform shall—

(a)be of sufficient dimensions to permit the safe passage of persons and the safe use of any plant or materials required to be used and to provide a safe working area having regard to the work being carried out there;

(b)possess a suitable surface and, in particular, be so constructed that the surface of the working platform has no gap—

(i)through which a person could fall;

(ii)through which any material or object could fall and injure a person; or

(iii)giving rise to other risk of injury to any person, unless measures have been taken to protect persons against such risk; and

(c)be so erected and used, and maintained in such condition, as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable—

(i)the risk of slipping or tripping; or

(ii)any person being caught between the working platform and any adjacent structure.

Loading

6.  A working platform and any supporting structure shall not be loaded so as to give rise to a risk of collapse or to any deformation which could affect its safe use.