How Dangerous is Working at Height?

May 14, 2025

How dangerous is working at height
In 2023/24, there were 50 work-related fall-from-height fatalities in the UK, over a third of all work-related fatal injuries and a substantial increase over the previous year.  Often the causes are a lack of suitable risk assessment and planning, little/no information on the dangers of working at height, and a lack of training and supervision to ensure competence.  “Working at height” means working in any place where a person could fall a distance that is liable to cause personal injury.  This doesn’t just mean going up a ladder to access a ceiling, it also includes descending into, for example, a below-ground basement or work area.  A particular danger is working on roofs, which are always high-risk areas – either falling from or through. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, multiple parties are duty-bound to ensure the health, safety and welfare of personnel on the school site: the Employer, those in charge of the site (Premises Manager), and even Employees themselves.  All need to be aware of how to safely work at height, and to ensure the appropriate policies and measures are in place and that they are complied with. Working at height is one of the most common and potentially dangerous activities carried out on school premises. Whether it’s changing class displays or light bulbs, accessing roof spaces, or maintaining external fixtures, it’s vital that schools approach this with clear policies, training, and records in place. Here’s what every school should have as a minimum:  
  1. A Robust Working at Height Policy and Risk Assessment
Every school should have a written Working at Height Policy that aligns with HSE guidance and is tailored to your specific site risks. This should be backed by a comprehensive risk assessment covering all typical scenarios where staff might be required to work at height, including measures taken to minimise the distance and consequences of a fall – such as using the correct equipment. If you haven’t reviewed your policy recently, now is the time. Does it reflect current working practices, site changes, and team responsibilities? And crucially – have your team had recent training? If you have contractors working at height, how do you ensure they are competent, and have you evaluated their risk assessment and reviewed their plans to ensure the health and safety of their staff and other personnel on the school’s premises? NASPM’s next Working at Height training sessions are coming up soon – check our calendar and make sure your staff are booked in and up to date. www.naspm.co.uk  
  1. A Well-Maintained Ladder Register
It might seem mundane, but ensuring all your ladders are fit for purpose is essential.  Ladders are often neglected and yet a faulty ladder poses a very real and serious risk. School staff have died following a fall from a ladder. Every ladder on your premises should be:
  • Uniquely identified
  • Regularly checked to ensure the ladder is clean, free of dirt and rust, locking mechanisms work correctly, no loose or missing parts or screws, no cracks, etc
  • Logged and maintained with visual inspection records throughout the year
This is not just good practice – it’s essential for compliance and staff safety. A Ladder Register is a simple but powerful tool to demonstrate your due diligence during audits or inspections.  
  1. A Clear Lone Working Policy – Including for Working at Height
Many schools prohibit working at height while alone, and for good reason. But does your Lone Working Policy explicitly say so? This policy should:
  • Define what is permitted when working alone
  • Clarify if staff can work at height independently
  • Outline the steps for getting support in an emergency
Take a moment to review your school’s stance. Are your staff confident in the policy? Is it being followed? Is it time for an update?  
  1. Emergency Planning: What If Something Goes Wrong?
Risk assessments should go beyond prevention. If someone were to fall or get injured while working at height, especially in hard-to-access areas like a plant room down narrow, steep stairs, or in a hard-to-reach ceiling loft, how quickly can medical help reach them? Ask yourself:
  • Is there clear, safe emergency access to all areas?
  • Could an injured person be quickly evacuated?
  • Does your team know what to do in these situations?
Don’t Leave It to Chance Taking a proactive approach to working at height doesn’t just tick a compliance box – it protects your staff and gives peace of mind. Check your policies. Review your registers. And make sure your staff are trained. For upcoming Working at Height and Lone Working training dates, check out the NASPM training portal: https://naspm.co.uk/event/
National Alliance of School Premises Management
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