What do the Work at Height Regulations 2005 define as 'work at height'?

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define work at height as any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. This includes work at any height — even at ground level if there is a risk of falling into an opening or below ground level. There is no minimum height threshold.

Only work carried out above a height of 2 metres from the ground

Any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, regardless of height

Only work carried out on scaffolding or from a mobile platform

Only work carried out above the height of the first floor of a building

What is the first priority in the work at height hierarchy?

The first priority in the work at height hierarchy is to avoid working at height wherever reasonably practicable. If it cannot be avoided, the second step is to prevent falls using collective protection such as guard rails. If falls cannot be prevented, the third step is to mitigate the consequences using equipment such as safety nets or harnesses.

Issue every worker with a safety harness and lanyard

Provide a safety net beneath the working area

Avoid working at height altogether where possible

Erect guard rails around the edge of the working platform

What is the correct angle for setting a leaning ladder against a wall?

The correct ratio for a leaning ladder is 1:4 — for every 4 units of height, the base of the ladder should be 1 unit away from the wall. This gives an angle of approximately 75 degrees, which provides the best balance between stability and usability.

1 unit out for every 5 units up (1:5 ratio)

1 unit out for every 3 units up (1:3 ratio)

1 unit out for every 2 units up (1:2 ratio)

1 unit out for every 4 units up (1:4 ratio)

Free mock exam

Working at Height & Manual Handling — CSCS Card HS&E Test Practice

Free topic-focused mock exam: 15 random questions from a pool of 40 on Working at Height & Manual Handling, drawn from the wider CSCS Card HS&E Test bank. 20-minute timer, 70% to pass, worked explanation on every question. Use this when you've taken the full mock once and want to drill the topics you got wrong.

Questions: 15
Time limit: 20
Pass mark: 70%
Bank size: 40

Free · no sign-up · timer can be ignored · retake as many times as you want

Sample questions

01What do the Work at Height Regulations 2005 define as 'work at height'?
- A.Any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury, regardless of height
- B.Only work carried out on scaffolding or from a mobile platform
- C.Only work carried out above a height of 2 metres from the ground
- D.Only work carried out above the height of the first floor of a building
Why: The Work at Height Regulations 2005 define work at height as any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. This includes work at any height — even at ground level if there is a risk of falling into an opening or below ground level. There is no minimum height threshold.
02What is the first priority in the work at height hierarchy?
- A.Issue every worker with a safety harness and lanyard
- B.Provide a safety net beneath the working area
- C.Avoid working at height altogether where possible
- D.Erect guard rails around the edge of the working platform
Why: The first priority in the work at height hierarchy is to avoid working at height wherever reasonably practicable. If it cannot be avoided, the second step is to prevent falls using collective protection such as guard rails. If falls cannot be prevented, the third step is to mitigate the consequences using equipment such as safety nets or harnesses.
03What is the correct angle for setting a leaning ladder against a wall?
- A.1 unit out for every 4 units up (1:4 ratio)
- B.1 unit out for every 3 units up (1:3 ratio)
- C.1 unit out for every 5 units up (1:5 ratio)
- D.1 unit out for every 2 units up (1:2 ratio)
Why: The correct ratio for a leaning ladder is 1:4 — for every 4 units of height, the base of the ladder should be 1 unit away from the wall. This gives an angle of approximately 75 degrees, which provides the best balance between stability and usability.

FAQ

Is the Working at Height & Manual Handling mock exam free?

Yes — 100% free, no sign-up needed. Questions are pulled at random from a substantial bank, with a worked explanation on every question after you submit.

Can I retake the mock exam?

Yes. Every attempt picks a different random selection and reshuffles the options, so each retake gives you genuinely new questions. No limit on retakes.

Does this count towards the real qualification?

No — this is independent practice material. To gain the actual qualification you need to sit the official assessment through an approved provider.