Working at height is part of everyday life for many teams across manufacturing, data centres, facilities management, aviation, defense and many more sectors. Operating a MEWP, installing lighting or carrying out maintenance at height can start to feel routine.
But routine does not mean risk-free.
In fact, falls from height remains one of the leading causes of serious workplace fatal injuries in the UK. That is why a well-conducted risk assessment is not just a paperwork exercise, it is a structured way to slowdown, challenge assumptions and make safer decisions before the job begins.
In this second blog of our risk assessment campaign, following our discussion on generic vs site-specific assessments, we will walk you through how to carryout a risk assessment step by step, while also exploring the human side of risk: how perception, pressure and experience influence the decisions we make on site.
Why Risk Assessment Matters More Than Ever
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others affected by their work.
But beyond legal compliance, effective risk assessment supports a much bigger goal:
Delivering a healthy workforce and a healthy economy.
With national strategies increasingly focused on preventing work-related ill health and supporting sustainable growth, organisations in 2026 and beyond are expected to take a proactive role in reducing workplace risk, not just reacting to incidents after they occur.
And it starts with understanding the difference between a hazard and a risk.
Hazard vs Risk: What is the Difference?
A workplace risk assessment examines the relationship between:
It identifies uncontrolled hazards and puts sensible control measures in place to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
The 5 Steps to Conduct a Risk Assessment
1. Identify the Hazards
Start by walking the work area and asking a simple question:
What could realistically cause harm here?
Common hazards when working at height include:
But here is where it gets interesting.
When we work in the same environment every day, we stop “seeing” certain hazards. Familiarity creates blind spots. Someone who has used MEWPs for years without incident may subconsciously believe serious accidents are unlikely.
This is where human factors come into play:
A good risk assessment forces you to pause and reassess, today’s conditions, not yesterdays.
No Falls Week: Preventing Falls from Height blog: Read here
Practical tips for identifying hazards:
Sometimes the most valuable insight comes from asking your team:
“What worries you most about this job?”
2. Decide Who Might Be Harmed, and How
Risk assessments are not about listing names, they are about identifying groups of people who could be affected:
Consider additional vulnerabilities:
Ask yourself:
Understanding how harm could occur helps you choose the right control measures.
3. Evaluate the Risk and Implement Control Measures
Now assess:
Then apply the hierarchy of control:
Example:
Hazard: Debris on warehouse floor
Risk: MEWP instability or overreaching
Control: Clear debris to allow safe access and stable positioning
Effective plans often include:
Remember, a control measure only adds value when it is implemented and understood.
That is why communication is critical. Keep instructions simple and practical. If housekeeping is the control, ensure workers have proper storage solutions and understand expectations.
4. Record Your Findings
If you employ five or more people, recording your assessment is a legal requirement.
Your documentation should demonstrate:
A structured template ensures consistency and makes future reviews easier.
Good documentation also protects your business, it demonstrates due diligence to clients, insurers and regulators.
5. Review and Update
Workplaces evolve constantly.
Weather changes. Equipment changes. People change.
You should review your risk assessment:
Before starting work, pause and ask:
Safe work at height is not just about equipment, it is about slowing down decision-making when it matters most
Leadership, Culture and Accountability
When speaking to senior management about risk, the focus should be on informed decision-making.
Leaders need a clear understanding of:
Embedding health and safety into company culture means moving beyond compliance. It means making safety part of everyday operational thinking.
At its core, this is about people, their physical wellbeing, their mental health, and ensuring they return home safely at the end of every shift.
Management credibility depends on visible commitment. When identified hazards are addressed promptly, trust grows. When they are ignored, reporting declines.
A risk assessment is not just a safety tool; it is a leadership tool.
Get Support from HLS
If you are unsure about:
HLS can help.
We offer:
Explore our Resources & Insights section or speak to one of our experts for tailored support.
Because when it comes to working at height, the most important question is not “Have we done this before?”
It is “Have we assessed the risk properly, today?”
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Next in our Risk Assessment Campaign: 10 Common Risk Assessment Mistakes, and how to avoid them.
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Resources & References
This guide draws on recognised industry best practice and official UK health and safety guidance, including: