Working at height pre-task planning checklist
By Health Safety Courses editorial team · Occupational health and safety training editors
Can the work be done without working at height?
Consider ground-level assembly, remote tools or changing the design. Eliminating the need to work at height is the first control to explore.
Access and platforms
Confirm scaffolds, MEWPs or ladders are suitable, inspected and used within limits. Check base plates, ties, guardrails and gate positions before loading the platform.
Fall protection and dropped objects
Plan collective protection where possible. Where personal fall protection is used, identify anchor points, lanyard length and exclusion zones below for dropped tools.
Weather and lighting
Stop or postpone when wind, rain, ice or poor light makes controls unreliable. Re-brief the team when conditions change mid-shift.
Rescue and emergency
Know who calls for help, how a suspended worker would be reached, and whether first aid cover matches the task.
Brief the team
Agree roles, communication signals and stop-work triggers before anyone leaves the ground. Record briefings proportionately where your management system requires it.
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