Under Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first duty of every employer in relation to work at height?

Regulation 4 establishes a clear hierarchy: first avoid work at height altogether if it is reasonably practicable. Only where it cannot be avoided should measures be taken to prevent falls, and then to minimise the distance and consequences of any fall.

Use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls

Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so

Provide every worker with a personal fall arrest harness

Minimise the distance and consequences of any potential fall

What is the definition of a 'competent person' in the context of work at height?

A competent person is someone who has sufficient training, practical experience, and knowledge relevant to the nature of the work to enable them to identify risks and implement appropriate controls. Competence is task-specific and must be proportionate to the complexity of the work.

Any person holding a current first aid at work certificate and a valid CSCS card

A person who has worked in the construction industry for at least five years

A person with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to carry out the task safely

Any person formally appointed in writing as a site supervisor or line manager

At what wind speed is it generally recommended to stop most work at height activities?

As a general guideline, work at height should cease when wind speeds exceed approximately 17 mph or Beaufort Force 5. However, lighter structures such as scaffold sheeting and tower scaffolds may need to stop at lower wind speeds. A site-specific risk assessment should always determine the safe threshold.

Free mock exam

Safe Systems of Work — Working at Height Practice

Free topic-focused mock exam: 30 random questions from a pool of 54 on Safe Systems of Work, drawn from the wider Working at Height bank. 35-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: 30
Time limit: 35 min
Pass mark: 70% · 21/30
Question bank: 54

Free, no sign-up. Retake as many times as you like — different questions each time.

Sample questions

01Under Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first duty of every employer in relation to work at height?
- AMinimise the distance and consequences of any potential fall
- BAvoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
- CProvide every worker with a personal fall arrest harness
- DUse work equipment or other measures to prevent falls
Why: Regulation 4 establishes a clear hierarchy: first avoid work at height altogether if it is reasonably practicable. Only where it cannot be avoided should measures be taken to prevent falls, and then to minimise the distance and consequences of any fall.
02What is the definition of a 'competent person' in the context of work at height?
- AAny person holding a current first aid at work certificate and a valid CSCS card
- BAny person formally appointed in writing as a site supervisor or line manager
- CA person who has worked in the construction industry for at least five years
- DA person with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge to carry out the task safely
Why: A competent person is someone who has sufficient training, practical experience, and knowledge relevant to the nature of the work to enable them to identify risks and implement appropriate controls. Competence is task-specific and must be proportionate to the complexity of the work.
03At what wind speed is it generally recommended to stop most work at height activities?
- AAbove 25 mph (Force 7)
- BAbove 10 mph (Force 3)
- CAbove 40 mph (Force 8)
- DAbove 17 mph (Force 5)
Why: As a general guideline, work at height should cease when wind speeds exceed approximately 17 mph or Beaufort Force 5. However, lighter structures such as scaffold sheeting and tower scaffolds may need to stop at lower wind speeds. A site-specific risk assessment should always determine the safe threshold.

Common questions

Is the Safe Systems of Work 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.