Work at Height Regulations.

WAH stands for the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

These regulations apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury. Unlike some older myths, there is no "minimum height" (like 2 meters) for these rules to kick in—if you are off the ground and could fall, WAH applies.

Before starting a job, the regulations require employers to follow a specific "hierarchy" to manage risk. You should only move to the next step if the previous one is not possible:

1. Avoid: Do as much work as possible from the ground (e.g., using telescopic tools).
2. Prevent: If you must work at height, use an existing safe place or "collective" equipment to prevent a fall (e.g., guardrails or a permanent balcony).
3. Minimise: If the risk of a fall cannot be eliminated, use equipment that minimises the distance and consequences of a fall (e.g., safety nets or fall-arrest harnesses).

It’s more common than people realise. It includes:

• Working on a ladder or stepladder.
• Working on a flat roof.
• Standing on a loading docks or near a pit.
• Working on top of machinery ( like elevator lift cars roof areas etc ).

Important Distinction: WAH does not include walking up a permanent staircase in an office or working in an upper-floor office with permanent walls and windows. It specifically targets areas where a fall from an edge or through a surface is possible.

• Competence: Everyone involved in the work (planning and executing) must be trained and competent.
• Equipment Inspection: Just like LOLER and PUWER, any equipment used for WAH (ladders, harnesses, scaffolding) must be inspected regularly.
• Weather: Work must not proceed if weather conditions (like high winds) make it unsafe.