--- title: 4 Things You Should Not Do When Working At Height - Ability International description: If you work in Construction and you’re worried that your workers may not be protected, follow these four steps to avoid falling from heights. image: https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/4-things-you-should-not-do-working-at-height-min-1024x1024.webp --- [01832 770759](tel:01832770759)[sales@abilityint.com](mailto:sales@abilityint.com) [01832 770759](tel:01832770759)[sales@abilityint.com](mailto:sales@abilityint.com) [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Ability%20International%20Logo.svg "Ability International Logo")](https://www.abilityint.com/) [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-1.png?width=183&height=50&name=logo-1.png "Ability International Logo")](https://www.abilityint.com/) - [Home](https://www.abilityint.com) - About - [About Us](https://www.abilityint.com/about) - [Health & Safety](https://www.abilityint.com/health-and-safety) - 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If you work in Construction and you’re worried that your workers may not adequately be protected, we’ve put together a rundown of 4 things you should not do when working height. So before you check out our solution for work at height, [the Desksurfer](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/what-is-a-desksurfer-and-what-are-the-benefits-ability-international), read on to find out more… [![Request A Quote](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/7885436/interactive-190412425768.png)](https://www.abilityint.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL9BpSZlfYmb8MoW3EXII7OBkXOk3qjp2aEHIVZ2WK69FnONU2nT7rB8iqBRWN%2FaqDq0mqZj79toSNq7xMFOK82PdqoJ3taOzAi80oEKhdeun5uxEZama%2B%2FN%2F88ePIUbVoZBCGGhTtOOrEq8avDb1uMG6WUobDvPx5iYfXvo1E%2B3q8w56ynVeQA&webInteractiveContentId=190412425768&portalId=7885436) ## **How Can You Ensure Work At Height Safety?** ### 1. Avoid Excess Weight On Your Ladder When working at height in construction, you’re using many different tools and pieces of equipment and it can be an inconvenience to run back and forth to use them individually. But as tempting as it is to just keep everything you need on your person while you’re halfway up a ladder, think again. Excess weight can increase the risk of ladder slippage, or the person using the ladder losing their own balance and falling off. Keep the ladder loads to a minimum when working at height in construction. ### 2. Avoid Weak Surfaces As mentioned previously, ladder slippage is something to avoid at all costs, and while excess weight can greatly contribute to the risk of a ladder slipping, so can a weak surface that the ladder rests against. [Secure a surface](https://www.abilityint.com/custom-built-access-products) before resting a ladder against it to minimise the risk if the surface doesn’t provide enough support. ### 3. Be Careful Who Carries Out The Work When Working At Height Only your team members who are fully trained to work at height should be carrying out works at height. New members of your team must be briefed and [completely prepared](https://www.abilityint.com/training) for what to do in an emergency, and that includes a fall from height, so no matter how urgent a job is, do not send anyone un-prepared on a job that involves working at height. ### 4. Use Ladders Sparingly [Ladders](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/top-chimney-access-safety-systems-working-at-height) are suitable for short duration jobs and very light work. If a task is extensive and requires your employee to be working at height for a sustained length of time, it would be far better to utilise a more secure, appropriate means of reaching that height. In place of a ladder we recommend the [Desksurfer](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/working-at-height-solutions-guide-to-preventing-accidental-fall) where possible. ## **Learn More About The Risks Of Working At Height** [Working at height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/uses-of-height-adjustable-mobile-platforms-working-at-height) is a dangerous task, which is why many people fall and seriously hurt themselves, companies face massive fines if they’re proven to have failed in providing the right training and support, and why we stress the importance of using the right equipment. Browse [our blog](https://www.abilityint.com/blog) to learn more about working at height risks and safety protocols or make an enquiry to speak to a member of our team about what you can do to mitigate the risks for working at height. [![Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1](https://www.abilityint.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1.webp?width=691&height=269&name=Working-at-Height-Guide-LONG-CTA.1.webp)](https://www.abilityint.com/working-at-height-guide) - Recent - Topics - Archive Recent Topics - [Working At Height (70)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) - [injuries at work (23)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/injuries-at-work) - [Working at heights (22)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-heights) - [Work At Height Equipment (21)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-at-height-equipment) - [desksurfer (20)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/desksurfer) - [Working At Height Equipment (16)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height-equipment) - [Health & Safety (10)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/health-safety) - [access platform (7)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/access-platform) - [Scaffold tower hire (6)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-hire) - [injuries (4)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/injuries) - [Rent a scaffold tower (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/rent-a-scaffold-tower) - [Scaffold tower for sale (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-for-sale) - [Work At Height Violation (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-at-height-violation) - [work related injuries (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/work-related-injuries) - [Chimney Access (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/chimney-access) - [Scaffold tower lease (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scaffold-tower-lease) - [Servicing Work Equipment (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/servicing-work-equipment) - [case studies (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/case-studies) - [scary facts (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/scary-facts) See all Archive - [August 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/08) - [July 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/07) - [June 2026 (4)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/06) - [May 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/05) - [April 2026 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/04) - [January 2026 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2026/01) - [December 2025 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/12) - [November 2025 (1)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/11) - [August 2025 (109)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/08) - [May 2025 (2)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/05) - [April 2025 (3)](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/archive/2025/04) See all ### Subscribe by email Share this [Share on X](https://x.com/intent/post?url=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/4-things-you-should-not-do-when-working-at-height-ability-international&text=4+Things+You+Should+Not+Do+When+Working+At+Height+-+Ability+International) [Share on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/4-things-you-should-not-do-when-working-at-height-ability-international&t=4+Things+You+Should+Not+Do+When+Working+At+Height+-+Ability+International) [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.abilityint.com/blog/4-things-you-should-not-do-when-working-at-height-ability-international&t=4+Things+You+Should+Not+Do+When+Working+At+Height+-+Ability+International) Previous story [← Situations Where You Should NOT Use A Scaffold Tower](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/when-should-you-avoid-using-a-scaffold-tower) Next story [What Are The Main Reasons Construction Workers Fall From Height? →](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/what-are-main-reasons-construction-workers-fall-from-height) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [Why Is It Important To Get Training And Follow Instructions Before Working At Height?](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/role-of-getting-training-amp-instructions-before-working-at-height) ![Male worker using rope access for industrial tasks at height which emphasises the importance of proper training and following instructions for safety.](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Why-Is-It-Important-To-Get-Training-And-Follow-Instructions-Before-Working-At-Height-1024x745.webp) [Working At Height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) ### Why Is It Important To Get Training And Follow Instructions Before Working At Height? Aug 22, 2025, 11:41:51 AM 2 min read [What Equipment Can You Hire From Ability International?](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/hire-working-at-height-equipment-from-ability-international) ![2 workers working safely as they are required hire working at height equipment](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/What-Equipment-Can-You-Hire-From-Ability-International-1024x698.webp) [Working At Height](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height) ### What Equipment Can You Hire From Ability International? Aug 22, 2025, 11:50:25 AM 2 min read [Why Is It So Important To Have The Right Equipment When Working At Height?](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/why-is-it-important-to-have-right-equipment-working-at-height) ![Why is it Important to Have Right Equipment Working At Height?](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Images/construction-worker-495373_1920-1024x683.webp) [Working At Height Equipment](https://www.abilityint.com/blog/tag/working-at-height-equipment) ### Why Is It So Important To Have The Right Equipment When Working At Height? Aug 22, 2025, 11:38:23 AM 2 min read ### Get Email Notifications #### [![Ability International Logo](https://www.abilityint.com/hubfs/Ability%20International%20Logo.svg)](https://www.abilityint.com/) Since 1987, Ability has been crafting innovative solutions for elevated work environments. 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