Working at height

All work where the worker's feet are above 2 metres, or a worker can fall 2 metres, requires a permit.

Working at height includes:

  • ladders
  • elevated work platforms: cherrypickers, boom lifts, vertical lifters, scissor lifts or other
  • portable scaffolds (under 5 metres)
  • working on banks, cliff edges, ledges, parapets, roofs or any other natural or architectural features with a vertical drop of 2m or more and without a handrail, barrier or other feature compliant with the New Zealand Building Code.

All workers must have the appropriate qualification relevant to the type of work—for example, abseiling, roofing, or scaffolding.

Working at heights requires a fall restraint or arrest system unless discussed and approved by your University liaison and the Senior Advisor Health and Safety (Asset and Infrastructure).

Certified anchor point register

The Property Services Helpdesk has a register of all certified anchor points and their locations.

Working at height permit

You must have a permit to carry out work at height. Contact your University liaison or the Senior Advisor Health and Safety (Asset and Infrastructure) to arrange a permit.

You don’t need a permit if you are working on a fixed scaffold that has been built and certified by a qualified scaffolder, however the scaffolders carrying out the assembly will require one.