Part K Building Regulations are the requirements for accident prevention for those at risk from falling when working at height. The Government have put these regulations in place to set the necessary health and safety standards for stairways, handrails, ladders and ramps as well as accident prevention from pedestrian and vehicle barriers. Part K building regulations also cover the standards for health and safety for windows and doors.

Part K building regulations are linked closely with the Working at Heights Regulations.

There are numerous building professionals who need to comply with Part K building regulations:

• Builders

• Roofing Contractors

• Scaffolders

Those working at risk from falling from roofs and scaffold must use building products that comply with Part K building regulations, such as:

Safety Harness –

Safety harnesses, usually made from rope or cable, are protective safety equipment which attach to a stationary and non-stationary object. Often safety harnesses are used with a shock absorber to regulate deceleration when reaching the end of the rope. Most safety harnesses also come with safety lanyards, in order to create the most efficient fall arrest system for the user.

Industrial Rope Access –

Industrial Rope Access is a way of achieving accident prevention when working at height or areas of difficult access. This system and training was established by the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association or IRATA, who aims to provide a safe working environment for those working at heights. The worker is attached to two ropes, a working rope and a safety rope, both with their own anchorage point. This means that in the event that one rope becomes unusable, the safety rope will support the worker to prevent falling.

Helmets –

Helmets are an essential piece of equipment for those at risk from falling to protect the head from injury due to impact in the event of a fall. Unlike a hard hat worn on a construction site, there must be a chin strap to prevent the helmet from falling off when at heights.

Fixed and Caged Ladders –

Fixed ladders are attached to a building in order to stabilise the ladder for those using it. Often fixed ladders also feature fall arrest systems for added accident prevention. Ladder cages are an Occupational Safety and Health Administration or OSHA requirement for certain ladders. They are an enclosure fixed around a ladder, restricting movement from side to side and backwards to prevent falling.

Airbags and Nets –

Airbags and nets are used as fall arrest systems, which can be placed under the area of work to prevent injury in the event of a fall. Both airbag and nets can be used when the hazard cannot be removed completely and are effective methods of accident prevention. Airbag systems often restrict work where they are placed, whereas nets can be attached to the building so close to the worker that they can often prevent the fall that would cause an injury.