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 who holds a current first aid at work certificate

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

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

Any person formally appointed as a site supervisor or 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: 15 random questions from a pool of 40 on Safe Systems of Work, drawn from the wider Working at Height 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

01Under Regulation 4 of the Work at Height Regulations 2005, what is the first duty of every employer in relation to work at height?
- A.Minimise the distance and consequences of any potential fall
- B.Avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so
- C.Provide every worker with a personal fall arrest harness
- D.Use 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?
- A.Any person who holds a current first aid at work certificate
- B.Any person formally appointed as a site supervisor or manager
- C.A person who has worked in construction for at least five years
- D.A 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?
- A.Above 25 mph (Force 7)
- B.Above 10 mph (Force 3)
- C.Above 40 mph (Force 8)
- D.Above 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.

FAQ

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.