4 ways to automate a working at height risk assessment

#1 - Simple assessment

Who it's for: Single-site businesses recording the work-at-height assessment themselves.

What it is: A working at height risk assessment records any task where someone could fall and be injured, the people at risk, the access equipment and controls, and any further action. This version keeps each task in one group: the hazard, who's at risk, controls in place, risk level, and further action. You add one group per task, changing high bulbs, cleaning high windows, stocking top shelves, accessing the cellar hatch.

Available on: Basic.

In practice: A single-site pub works through the tasks done off the ground. For "changing bulbs in the high ceiling", they note who's at risk (whoever does it), the controls (proper stepladder, two-person, not on a chair), rate it medium, and the further action: buy a platform stepladder. Next task, next group.

Why it works: Each task's answers stay in one group, so the access equipment and controls sit with the task and who's at risk. Falls from height are a leading cause of serious workplace injury, and this is the record that shows you've assessed them.

Steps included:

• 1 grouped assessment (one group per task): hazard, who's at risk, controls in place, risk level, further action
• Duplicate the group for each work-at-height task

When to upgrade:

1. A manager does the assessment and needs prompting
2. You want photo evidence of the access equipment
3. You run more than one site and need a signed, dated record

#2 - With guidance

Who it's for: Businesses where a manager completes the assessment.

What it is: The simple assessment with a guidance note in the group, built on the rule that you should avoid work at height where you can, then use the right access equipment where you can't. It reminds the assessor to rule out the task first (can it be done from the ground?), then choose stable, suitable equipment (a proper stepladder or platform, never a chair or box), and never overreach.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. The "avoid it first" principle is on screen, not just "use a ladder"
2. The manager knows what suitable access equipment looks like
3. The assessment is consistent whoever completes it

Why it works: The guidance sits in the group with the fields, so the assessor starts from the right question, can this be avoided?, before recording controls.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (avoid work at height, choose suitable equipment)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's at risk, controls, risk level, further action

When to upgrade: When the assessment needs photo evidence (Working at Height RA #3) or a signed, dated record (#4).

#3 - With photo evidence

Who it's for: Businesses that want a visual record of the access equipment in use.

What it is: The guided assessment plus a photo in the group, the stepladder, platform, or access point. A photo records that suitable equipment is provided, not just named.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. A photo of the task or access equipment, captured at the time
2. A record that suitable equipment is actually provided
3. A baseline to compare at the next review

Why it works: A photo of a proper platform stepladder, rather than the chair people were standing on, is proof the control exists.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (avoid work at height, choose suitable equipment)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's at risk, controls, risk level, further action
• 1 photo in the group (the task or access equipment)

When to upgrade: When the assessment needs a named, dated sign-off (Working at Height RA #4).

#4 - With photo and signature

Who it's for: Multi-site groups where each site's work-at-height assessment has to be signed, dated, and reviewable from head office.

What it is: The photo assessment plus a signature in the group. The assessor signs to confirm the assessment and set a review date.

Available on: Standard.

What it adds to the previous template:

1. A signature confirming who assessed and when
2. A clear point to set the next review date
3. A complete record (assessment, photo, signature) an auditor treats as best practice

Why it works: The signature makes the assessment owned and dated, and across sites it lets a safety lead confirm every site has assessed its work at height.

Steps included:

• 1 guidance note in the group (avoid work at height, choose suitable equipment)
• 1 grouped assessment: hazard, who's at risk, controls, risk level, further action
• 1 photo in the group (the task or access equipment)
• 1 signature in the group (assessed by)

When to upgrade: When you want Poppi to remind you when a review is due, or pull every site's assessments into one report. Those versions are coming in the next post update.

How to pick the right version

You don't need to know our product to choose. Just answer three questions.

Is it just you assessing, or does a manager do it?

If you do it yourself, a plain assessment is enough. The moment a manager does it, the "avoid it first" rule and equipment guidance need to be on screen. If only you assess, #1 is fine. If a manager does, start at #2.

Do you need evidence, or is a written record enough?

A written assessment meets the duty. A photo of the access equipment makes it stronger. If a written record is enough, stop at #2. If you want evidence, #3 adds photos.

Does it need a signed, dated sign-off?

For a single site, the record can stand alone. Across sites, an auditor wants a signature on each. If no sign-off is needed, #3 is enough. If you run more than one site, #4 adds a signature.

Related reading

• Ladder and step check - the recurring check that the access equipment is safe
• Kitchen risk assessment - the wider kitchen hazards
• Work equipment risk assessment - assessing the equipment itself

Frequently asked questions

What counts as working at height?

Any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause injury, even at low level. Changing a bulb from a stepladder, stocking a high shelf, cleaning a high window, or accessing a cellar through a hatch all count. It doesn't have to be high up to be work at height.

What does the law require?

The Work at Height Regulations require you to avoid work at height where reasonably practicable, use work equipment or other measures to prevent falls where you can't avoid it, and minimise the distance and consequences of a fall where the risk remains. A risk assessment is how you decide and record this.

What's the safe order to think about it?

Avoid: can the task be done from the ground (a long-reach tool, lowering the fitting)? Prevent: if not, use suitable, stable equipment like a platform stepladder. Minimise: where a fall is still possible, reduce the height and consequences. The guidance version puts this order on screen.

How often should it be reviewed?

At least annually, and whenever a new work-at-height task appears or after an incident. Version #4 captures the sign-off and is the point to set the next review.

Where to go next

Falls from height cause some of the most serious workplace injuries, and they happen on stepladders and chairs as often as scaffolds. A working at height risk assessment is how you show you've avoided what you can and controlled the rest. The versions above move from a simple assessment to a signed, photo-backed record.

Five more versions are coming in the next refresh that bring AI into the assessment. Poppi can remind you when a review is due, and pull every site's assessments into one report. Those need more review time and will land separately.

→ Build your own working at height risk assessment on Pilla. The Basic plan unlocks the simple assessment today.