WAH/General/TBT-WAH-025

Leading Edge Protection

Working at Height › General › Leading Edge Protection

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A leading edge is the unprotected perimeter of a floor, roof, or deck that advances as construction progresses.
Leading edges are the most dangerous positions on any construction site — falls from them are frequently fatal.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require collective protection at all leading edges where practicable.
Temporary edge protection systems including guardrails and nets must be installed as work advances.
Where collective protection is not feasible, individual fall arrest systems with harnesses must be used.
Steel erectors, decking fixers, cladding installers, and roofers are the workers most exposed to leading edges.
Safety nets below the working level provide passive collective protection that catches falling workers.
Anchor points for personal fall arrest must be rated for the dynamic loads of a fall and tested.
The leading edge position changes daily as the structure grows — protection must move with it.
A rescue plan must be in place before anyone works at a leading edge with fall arrest equipment.

Fatal falls	Falls from leading edges are the single biggest cause of construction fatality in the UK.
Moving hazard	The leading edge advances daily — protection that was adequate yesterday may not cover today's work position.
Legal duty	The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to prevent falls at every leading edge.

Don't

Install temporary edge protection at the leading edge before workers access the area
Use safety nets below the working level where temporary guardrails are not practicable
Wear a full body harness connected to a rated anchor when at an unprotected leading edge
Advance the edge protection system as the leading edge moves with construction progress
Ensure anchor points are tested and rated for the dynamic arrest force of a fall
Prepare a rescue plan for workers using fall arrest at the leading edge
Brief the team daily on where the current leading edge positions are
Inspect leading edge protection at the start of each shift before work begins
Use advance guardrail systems where they are compatible with the construction method
Report any gap or deficiency in leading edge protection immediately

DON'T approach the leading edge without collective or personal fall protection in place
DON'T assume yesterday's edge protection covers today's leading edge position
DON'T rely on personal fall arrest where collective protection is practicable instead
DON'T use fall arrest harnesses without a tested rescue plan for prompt retrieval
DON'T connect harness lanyards to anchor points that are not rated for fall loads
DON'T remove temporary edge protection until permanent barriers are installed
DON'T work at a leading edge in high winds that could push you off balance
DON'T allow untrained workers near leading edge positions without supervision
DON'T store materials at the leading edge where they could be knocked over the side
DON'T treat leading edge protection as optional because the task is short duration

See also: Edge Protection Requirements | Safety Nets and Soft Landing Systems

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