Disclaimer: We respect your privacy and do not retain any generated PDF documents or policy amendments. Once you leave this page, all changes will be lost. We recommend that all policies are reviewed by the relevant HSEQ Manager or legal team before circulation. Remember to download and save your documents, as we can’t recover them. If you have any questions, please contact us.Â
Working at Height on National Highways Toolbox Talk: Preventing Falls and Ensuring Safe Operations
The Working at Height on National Highways Toolbox Talk provides essential guidance for managing work at height during highways operations. Developed in line with Raising the Bar 16 (RTB16), this document aligns with UK legislation such as the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and HSE guidance to help businesses implement safe, compliant working practices and reduce the risk of falls from height, a leading cause of workplace fatalities in the construction and highways sectors.
Working at height in highways environments presents significant risks, particularly when accessing overhead structures, gantries, bridges, or temporary traffic management installations. This toolbox talk covers the key principles of height safety, including the hierarchy of control measures:
The document highlights practical safety practices such as pre-work risk assessments, equipment inspections, and competency checks for workers using access equipment like mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) and temporary scaffolding structures. It also stresses the importance of safe access and egress procedures, ensuring operatives are trained to recognise hazards like unprotected edges, fragile surfaces, and adverse weather conditions that increase the risk of falls.
In line with Raising the Bar 16, the toolbox talk also reinforces the importance of clear communication and site-specific work at height plans. Workers are encouraged to report unsafe practices immediately and to use designated anchor points and safety systems correctly.
Simplifying Toolbox Talk Creation with Our Online Generator
Our online document generator makes it easy to create customised toolbox talks like this one. By entering your project-specific details, you can generate a tailored, compliant document in minutes—helping ensure consistent, high-quality safety communication across your workforce.
Useful Resources and Links
Traffic Signs Manual – Chapter 8: Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
Safety at Street Works and Road Works (The Red Book):
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/safety-at-street-works-and-road-works
HSE Guidance on Working at Height:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm
