Anyone whose work could involve a fall liable to cause injury: users of ladders and stepladders, people working near roof lights and other fragile surfaces or an unprotected edge, MEWP operators, and anyone below who could be struck by a falling object.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply with no minimum height. HSE says work at height remains one of the biggest causes of workplace deaths and serious injuries, and the common cases are falls from ladders and through fragile surfaces.
The pack works through avoid, prevent, minimise in that order: ladders for short duration low risk work only, set at the correct angle with three points of contact maintained, treating every roof light and cement sheet as fragile, toe boards and exclusion zones against falling objects, scaffolds and other working platforms inspected in position within the previous 7 days, and a rescue plan in place before anyone goes up on a harness.
One hazard, done completely, for the whole firm.
The pack also has a theory test answer key. It is supplied separately to the employer, not published in the pack itself, so the test stays a genuine assessment when your own supervisor marks it.
Third-party evidence for a customer or principal contractor who asks for it.
You assess your own people in-house using the pack, and send PHW the completed records. PHW checks the records and, where they hold up, issues a certificate carrying a QR code that resolves to a live verification page. The certificate states plainly that the assessment was carried out in-house and verified by PHW, recording PHW's verification of that in-house assessment. PHW certifies only records that hold up.
HSE prosecutions in this line of work.
£16,000 + £4,000 costs · 2026-04-01
A labourer fell through an unprotected stairwell opening while fitting wall insulation, fracturing a skull and back.
Read the case →£50,000 + £5,139 costs · 2026-03-30
A ride-on mower slid down a steep bank and rolled over a wall with an employee aboard, causing injuries including cracked ribs.
Read the case →£16,650 + £7,205 costs · 2025-11-20
A worker fell through a skylight opening left uncovered on a flat roof extension, requiring surgery and long-term treatment.
Read the case →