Back to Knowledge Hub THX Partner Guide · 6 min read

Working at Height with THX

Falls from height are the single biggest killer in UK construction. The right piece of access equipment for the job is the easiest way to cut the risk — here’s the working-height reference, plus what the WAH regulations actually require.

By Watkins Academy Updated May 2026 6 min read

What counts as “working at height”?

Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, work at height is any work where a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. There is no minimum height. Standing on a kitchen chair to change a bulb is technically working at height — and if you fall onto a tiled floor and break a wrist, the duty-holder is on the hook.

The hierarchy of WAH controls: avoid working at height where you can, prevent falls where you can’t, and minimise the distance and consequences of a fall when there’s no other option. Every WAH decision starts here.

The WAH equipment reference

The poster below covers every piece of access equipment in common use, grouped by working height — from a 1.75m mini-folding tower up to a 12.2m boom lift. Use it when planning a job to size the right platform to the task.

Provided by THX for advice on suitable Working at Height equipment.

THX is our hire partner for access equipment — the poster below is their full 2026 access range, mapped by working height.

THX Access Range 2026 — Working at Height equipment poster, grouping access platforms by working height from 1.75m up to 12.2m.

Choosing the right platform

The poster is structured by working height — that’s the height the operator’s feet can reach, not the height of the platform itself. As a starting framework:

Up to 3m

Podium steps, mini towers, GRP stepladders. Quick-erect, often single-handed. The right kit for fitting a smoke alarm, dropping a ceiling tile, running first-fix cable in a domestic property.

3 – 6m

Pop-up lifts, Pecolift, mast lifts, small scissor lifts. Powered, push-around, one-operator. Standard tools for commercial fit-out at first-floor level — lighting, AC, ceiling grids.

6 – 12m

Self-propelled scissors, mast lifts, alloy towers. Card-trained operator, edge protection required. Mezzanine work, plant rooms, atriums — check floor loading first.

12m+

Articulating boom lifts, large scissor lifts, fixed scaffold. Full RA, method statement and rescue plan required. Harness use likely. Often needs an exclusion zone below.

Training — what your operators need

Hiring the kit is the easy bit. Operating it legally and safely needs the right card or certificate. The minimum the HSE expects:

PASMA

Mobile alloy tower assembly & use

Required for anyone building, dismantling or working from an alloy tower above 2m. One-day course, 5-year validity.

IPAF

Powered access (MEWPs)

Category-specific: 1a (static vertical, e.g. scissor on outriggers), 3a (mobile vertical, most scissors), 3b (mobile boom). PAL Card valid 5 years.

Manufacturer brief

Familiarisation on the specific machine

IPAF doesn’t replace the familiarisation that should happen on every new model — controls, emergency descent, fault indicators. THX can arrange this on delivery.

Don’t assume: a 3a card does not cover a boom lift. Check the PAL card category against the machine you’re hiring before the operator gets on it. If in doubt, ring the safety team.

Pre-use checks — every shift

Whatever equipment you’re using, the pre-use check happens before the first lift of every shift. The operator owns it — not the depot, not the previous user.

Mobile towers

Stabilisers deployed and locked
Wheels braked, ground level and firm
Toe-boards and guard rails in place
Ladder/hatch closed when working
Never move with someone on the platform

MEWPs (scissors & booms)

Battery / fuel level adequate
Tyres and ground bearing inspected
Controls functioning — both platform and base
Emergency lowering tested
Harness clipped to manufacturer anchor (booms)

Inspection & thorough examination

Daily / pre-use: by the operator. Logged in the machine’s on-board record where fitted.
Weekly: visual inspection of mobile towers in continuous use — documented.
Six-monthly thorough examination: by a competent person under LOLER. Required for all MEWPs as they’re lifting equipment carrying people. Reports kept on file.
Pre-hire: THX (or any hire partner) is responsible for handing over a machine within its examination window — check the report sticker on delivery.