Posted By Mike Draper
There is no maximum height before you need edge protection, there is however a minimum height of 2m before you need to carry out regular inspections on such items.

The emphasis in Work at Height Regs is to choose the most appropriate form of access equipment for the task to first avoid, then prevent and finally mitigate the effects of a fall.

If you are wondering whether to obtain edge protection for an existing item of work equipment, I would seriously consider doing so.

Posted By allan wood
just after the work at height regs came into force our company made a decision to fit all builders trestles with hand rails. we chose to use the stabils system and fitted this system to our existing trestles.

the work at height hierachy should be used as such;

Avoid
the risk by not working at height – where it is reasonably practicable to carry out the work safely by other means.

Prevent
falls – where it is not reasonably practicable to avoid work at height you should assess the risks and take measures to allow the work to be done whilst preventing so far as is reasonably practicable, people or objects falling. This might include ensuring the work is carried out from an existing place of work; or choosing the right work equipment.

Mitigate
The consequences of a fall – where the risk of people or objects falling still remains you should take steps to minimise the distance and the consequences of such falls, this also involves the selection and safe use of work equipment.

At all stages the collective protective measures should always have precedence over personal protective equipment.

my advice would be to ensure that hand rails are fitted to the trestles. after all you dont have to fall too far to be seriously hurt.

by the way the current HSE campaign for construction for june & july covers falls from height as well as good order issues.

Posted By allan wood
it is also worth remembering that two thirds of all falls from height are from so called "low heights".

Posted By Ian Mitchell
Yes, Ron. But he is working for a company in NW England. I gave him some advice recently.

Cheers Ian M

Posted By Lukasz
Yes this is polish email address, i am only 2 years in England and it was easier for me to use my previous one.