Civil Engineering Association

BS 8454:2006 Code of practice for the delivery of training and education for work at height and rescue

Falls from a height are one of the largest causes of death and injury in the workplace, creating an increasing demand for people to receive training for work at height. This demand is driven partly by legislation, as the Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 5, explicitly requires anyone working at height to be competent, and partly by an increasing trend within industry for a professional approach to be taken to work activities which are potentially dangerous.

BS 8454 gives recommendations and guidance on the delivery of training and education for work at height, including rescue. It is applicable to training for work which falls within the scope of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The standard is applicable to training for work at height in an industrial context, including work at height in factories and in the construction, civil engineering and cleaning sectors.
Who should use this standard?

BS 8454 is intended for use by all organizations and individuals providing such training and/or education, including organizations which provide such training to their own employees. It is applicable to all locations where such training is provided, whether at a dedicated training facility or at other training sites.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commends the use of BS 8454:2006 to those who have duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This standard was drawn up with the participation of HSE representatives and it will be referred to in the relevant HSE publications.