A question was asked of me the other day if working on a fixed scaffold that has been inspected and tagged is classed as working at height.

My answer was yes because even thought it has now in effect become part of the building structure it's still working in a place where there is a potential to fall to the ground, but the risk of the fall taking place has been reduced as a result of a collective fixed barrier.

So in effect the hazard still exists but the risk of a fall has been reduced.

This has got me thinking and I would like to know what your opinion is on this question?

Agree, any work on a platform or over an opening is classified as W@H regardless of the controls in place. Indeed the scaffolding example is very typical of the conundrum found with risk assessments. Where should the control fail the consequence will be the same as if the control was not in place. Nothing is without some risk.