The consequences of falling from heights or into dangerous substances are so serious that a high standard of protection is required. Secure fencing should be provided to prevent people falling from edges, and objects falling onto people. Where fencing cannot be provided, other measures should be taken to prevent falls. If a person might fall two metres or more, or might fall less than two metres and risk serious injury, fencing should be at least 1100 mm high and have two guard-rails. Tanks, pits and structures should be securely covered, or fenced to a height of at least 1100 mm. Fixed ladders should be of sound construction, properly maintained and securely fixed. Rungs should be horizontal and give adequate foothold and the stiles should extend at least 1100 mm above the landing. Fixed ladders over 2.5 m long at a pitch of more than 75 degrees should be fitted with safety hoops or permanently fixed fall-arrest systems. Fixed ladders should only be used if it is not practical to install a staircase.

Slips and trips which may be trivial at ground level may result in fatal accidents when on a roof. Precautions should be taken where there is a risk of falling off or through a roof. These may include fall-arrest devices and crawling boards. Fragile roofs or surfaces should be clearly identified.

People should, as far as possible, avoid climbing on top of vehicles or their loads. If this is not possible, effective measures such as providing fencing should be taken, to prevent falls. If a tanker is loaded from a fixed gantry and access is required onto the top of the tanker, fencing should be provided. Sheeting of lorries should be carried out in properly equipped designated places. When moving goods up or down between levels, the edge should be fenced, as far as possible, and secure handholds should be provided where necessary.

If fencing or covers cannot be provided, or have to be removed, effective measures should be taken to prevent falls. Access should be limited to specified people and in high risk situations suitable formal written ‘permit-to-work’ systems should be adopted.

A safe system of work should be operated which may include the use of a fall-arrest system or safety lines and harnesses and secure anchorage points. Systems which do not require disconnection and re-connection of safety harnesses should be used. If there is no need to approach edges, the length of the line and anchorage position should prevent the edge being approached.

Materials and objects need to be stored and stacked in such a way that they are not likely to fall and cause injury. Storage racking and shelving needs to be of adequate strength and stability for the loads to be placed on it. In general, racking and shelving is made from lightweight materials and is limited to the amount of wear and tear it can withstand. The skill of workplace transport operators has a great bearing on the amount of damage likely to be caused. The greater the damage to racking and shelving, the weaker it will be, until it may eventually collapse, .

To ensure that racking or shelving installations continue to be serviceable: