Working At Height Checklist
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About this working at height checklist
Working at height is one of those jobs where “we’ve done it a hundred times” can quietly turn into guesswork. This working at height checklist gives frontline teams a clear run-through of what to confirm before starting, what to keep checking during the job, when to stop and escalate, and how to close out properly.
Use it for ladders, podium steps, tower scaffolds, MEWPs, roof access, and any task where a fall or dropped object could harm someone. The aim is simple: stop guessing. Start knowing — every time you leave the ground.
What this working at height checklist covers
- Preparation checks: task necessity, method selection, risk assessment, permits, and rescue planning
- Equipment checks: access equipment condition, inspection status, fall protection, and PPE
- In-process checks: stability, housekeeping, exclusion zones, and changing conditions
- Escalation criteria: clear “stop the job” triggers that remove ambiguity
- Close-out actions: leaving the area safe, logging issues, and creating an audit trail
Who it’s for
This checklist is for operations teams, site managers, and anyone who needs consistent standards across shifts and locations. It works particularly well for field engineering, manufacturing, and utilities teams where work happens away from direct supervision and evidence matters.
How to use it on the frontline
Run the checklist before the job starts, then repeat the “during the work” section if conditions change (weather, scope, access method, or people). If any escalation item is triggered, stop and capture what happened — that record is often what prevents the next incident.
If you’re rolling this out across multiple sites, keep the questions consistent and use the results to spot patterns: recurring equipment defects, common planning gaps, or teams relying on ladders when a safer method should be standard.
Make it measurable with Ocasta
Paper checklists get completed — then disappear. With Ocasta’s inspections and checklist hub, you can standardise working at height checks, capture evidence, and see where risk is building across sites in real time. That means fewer assumptions, faster fixes, and clearer accountability.
Disclaimer: This checklist is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, health and safety, or professional advice. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws, standards, and internal policies.
Included questions
Here's what's included in this working at height checklist:
Before you start — plan the job (10)
Confirm the task is necessary, the right method is chosen, and the plan is clear before anyone leaves the ground.
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Yes/No
Is the task at height confirmed as necessary (cannot be done from the ground)?
If it can be done from the ground, stop and change the plan.
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Dropdown
Which access method is being used (highest control possible)?
Choose the safest practical option: avoid working at height where possible, then prevent falls, then minimise consequences.
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Yes/No
Is the risk assessment completed and understood by everyone involved?
Include fall risks, dropped objects, fragile surfaces, access/egress, and nearby hazards (traffic, electricity, machinery).
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Yes/No
If a permit to work is required, is it in place and signed before starting?
If you are unsure, treat it as required and escalate.
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Yes/No
Are all workers competent for the chosen access method and task?
Includes training, authorisation, and familiarity with the equipment.
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Yes/No
Is there a practical rescue plan (not just 'call emergency services')?
Confirm who does what, what equipment is needed, and how quickly a rescue can happen.
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Yes/No
Are weather and site conditions suitable to work at height right now?
Consider wind, rain, ice, poor light, heat, and any surface contamination.
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Yes/No
Are overhead hazards controlled (including electrical lines and moving equipment)?
Maintain safe distances and isolate where required.
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Yes/No
Is an exclusion zone set up to prevent people walking underneath?
Use barriers and signage. Expand the zone for dropped-object risk.
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Yes/No
Is there a plan to move tools and materials safely (no carrying while climbing)?
Use tool lanyards, hoists, or staging. Keep hands free on ladders.
Equipment checks — before anyone climbs (11)
Confirm access equipment and fall protection are correct, inspected, and fit for purpose.
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Dropdown
What access equipment will be used for this job?
This should match the method selected in the plan.
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Yes/No
Has the access equipment been inspected pre-use and is it in good condition?
Check for damage, missing parts, loose fixings, contamination, and signs of previous misuse.
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Yes/No
Is the formal inspection within date and recorded (where required)?
If you cannot confirm, treat it as out of date and do not use the equipment.
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Yes/No
If using a ladder, is it industrial rated and free from defects?
Check stiles, rungs, feet, locks, and labels. No cracks, bends, or missing anti-slip feet.
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Yes/No
If using a ladder, is it set up correctly and secured?
Correct angle (about 1:4), stable base, secured at the top where possible, and extends above landing point for access.
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Yes/No
If using a tower scaffold, is it erected and tagged by a competent person?
Guardrails, toe boards, safe access, outriggers/stabilisers as required, and level base.
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Yes/No
If using a MEWP, are pre-start checks complete and the operator authorised?
Include emergency lowering, controls, tyres/tracks, alarms, and safe working load.
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Dropdown
What fall protection is in place (if required)?
Prefer collective protection (guardrails) over personal protection (harness).
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Yes/No
If using a harness/lanyard, are they inspected and correctly fitted?
Check stitching, webbing, buckles, connectors, and expiry/inspection tags. Fit snugly and correctly adjusted.
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Yes/No
If using a harness system, are anchor points suitable and confirmed?
Use approved anchor points only. Never clip to handrails or uncertain structures.
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Yes/No
Is the right PPE worn and in good condition?
As required: safety footwear, hard hat (especially for dropped-object risk), gloves, eye protection, hi-vis.
During the work — stay in control (8)
Keep the work safe as conditions change. This is where shortcuts happen — so make checks explicit.
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Yes/No
If climbing, is three points of contact maintained at all times?
No carrying items in hands while climbing. Use tool belts, lanyards, or hoisting.
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Yes/No
Is overreaching avoided (belt buckle stays between ladder stiles / within guardrails)?
If you cannot reach safely, climb down and reposition the equipment.
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Yes/No
Is the platform kept tidy to prevent trips and dropped objects?
Keep tools secured, materials staged, and walkways clear.
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Yes/No
Is the exclusion zone still in place and being respected?
If people keep entering the zone, stop and reset controls.
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Yes/No
Are conditions still safe (wind, rain, lighting, surface stability)?
If conditions worsen, stop and reassess — don’t ‘push through’ to finish.
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Yes/No
Has the access equipment remained unmodified and used as intended?
No standing on top steps/guardrails, no makeshift platforms, no moving towers with people on them (unless designed for it).
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Yes/No
Is communication and supervision adequate for the task?
Agree signals, keep visual contact where needed, and confirm who is in charge of the work area.
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Yes/No
Have any near misses or changes in scope/conditions been recorded and acted on?
If the job changes, update the risk assessment and controls before continuing.
Stop and escalate — clear criteria (7)
If any of these are true, stop the job and escalate to the responsible manager or safety lead.
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Yes/No
Is any access or fall-protection equipment damaged, missing parts, or out of inspection date?
Stop. Tag out the equipment and escalate immediately.
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Yes/No
Is there no workable rescue plan for the chosen controls (especially fall arrest)?
Stop. No rescue plan means no work at height.
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Yes/No
Is there an uncontrolled risk of dropped objects to people below?
Stop. Extend the exclusion zone, secure tools/materials, or change method.
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Yes/No
Have weather or surface conditions become unsafe (wind, rain, ice, unstable ground)?
Stop and reassess. If in doubt, postpone.
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Yes/No
Is there any risk of contact with electricity or overhead services that is not fully controlled?
Stop. Escalate for isolation or a revised method.
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Yes/No
Is anyone not competent, not authorised, or unfit to work at height today?
Includes fatigue, illness, medication effects, or stress impacting safe behaviour.
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Text
Escalation notes (what happened, who you contacted, and what you decided)
Keep it factual. This becomes your audit trail.
Close-out — leave it safe and capture learning (7)
Finish the job cleanly, remove risks, and create visibility so issues don’t repeat.
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Yes/No
Is the work completed and checked for quality and safety?
Confirm fixings are secure, nothing has been left loose, and the area is safe to reopen.
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Yes/No
Are all tools and materials removed from height and accounted for?
Nothing left on ledges, platforms, or roof areas.
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Yes/No
Is equipment returned, cleaned, and stored correctly?
Report defects immediately and quarantine unsafe equipment.
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Yes/No
Is the exclusion zone removed only after the area is safe?
Do a final check for overhead debris and dropped items before reopening the area.
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Text
Any issues found or actions raised (include what, where, and by when)
Log follow-ups such as repairs, replacement equipment, or training needs.
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Person
Sign-off (person responsible for the work area)
Who confirms the site is safe to return to normal operation?
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Signature
Signature
Sign to confirm the checklist is complete and accurate.