Edge Protection Requirements

Edge protection is the primary collective measure used to prevent falls from open edges on construction sites.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require edge protection at any location where a person could fall two metres or more.
A compliant guardrail system consists of a top rail at 950mm minimum, a mid-rail, and a toe board at least 150mm high.
Edge protection must be strong enough to withstand a person falling against it — a minimum loading of 0.5kN at the top rail.
Open edges occur at floor slab perimeters, stairwell openings, lift shafts, roof edges, and scaffold platforms.
Temporary edge protection must remain in place until permanent barriers such as walls or balustrades are installed.
Brick guards or mesh infill panels are required where materials could fall through gaps between guardrails and toe boards.
Edge protection must be installed by competent persons and inspected regularly throughout its use on site.
Any gap in edge protection, however temporary, must be managed with a banksman or alternative fall prevention measure.
Removing edge protection without authorisation is one of the most dangerous acts a person can carry out on a construction site.

Prevent fatal falls	Unprotected edges are the most common location for fatal falls — guardrails physically prevent workers reaching the edge.
Collective protection	Edge protection protects everyone in the area without relying on individual PPE or behaviour — it is always the preferred control.
Legal requirement	The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require suitable edge protection; absence is one of the most common HSE prohibition notice triggers.

Do

Don't

Install edge protection at all open edges where a fall of two metres or more is possible.
Check guardrails have a top rail, mid-rail, and toe board in good condition before working nearby.
Inspect edge protection daily and after any event that could have affected its integrity.
Use brick guards or mesh infill where small materials could fall through the guardrail gaps.
Report any missing, damaged, or incomplete edge protection to your supervisor immediately.
Maintain edge protection until permanent barriers such as walls or balustrades are built.
Ensure edge protection is installed by a competent person following the design specification.
Use a banksman to control access if edge protection must be temporarily removed.
Keep materials and equipment away from edges where they could dislodge guardrails.
Treat every open edge as a potential fall hazard, regardless of how familiar the area is.

DON'T work near unprotected edges without guardrails or alternative fall prevention in place.
DON'T use edge protection that is missing the top rail, mid-rail, or toe board.
DON'T ignore damaged or loose edge protection — report and repair it before continuing.
DON'T lean materials against guardrails or stack items that could topple over edges.
DON'T remove edge protection for any reason without formal authorisation and a safe plan.
DON'T assume someone else has checked the edge protection — verify it yourself.
DON'T install makeshift guardrails — only approved systems designed to the correct loading.
DON'T leave gaps in edge protection unmanaged — use a banksman until protection is restored.
DON'T stand on toe boards or guardrails — they are not designed to support body weight.
DON'T become complacent near edges you pass daily — the fall hazard never changes.

See also: Falls From Height Awareness | Working Over Voids & Openings

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