The regulations set out a series of requirements for duty-holders*, which are detailed below in Managing work at height safely.
*Duty-holders include employers, the self-employed and any person who controls the work of others. This can include a facilities manager who has brought in some contractors to complete some roof work, for example.
The regulations also require employees or persons working under someone else’s control (e.g. a contractor) to report any safety hazard, to use equipment supplied properly and follow any training and instruction given with regard to working at height.
The use of ladders and stepladders has not been ‘outlawed’, contrary to some reports. The HSE has published guidance on maintenance and use of ladders in documents INDG402 (Oct05) and INDG403 (Oct05). These are both available from the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/fallindx.htm.