Working at Height

From festival stages and lighting trusses to temporary structures and arenas, working at height is a routine part of the live events industry. Riggers, lighting technicians, scaffolders, and stagehands regularly operate in elevated environments, often in complex, temporary conditions.

But working at height is also one of the leading causes of serious injury and fatalities across industries. In events, the risks are amplified by heavy loads, tight build schedules, and crowded environments. Ensuring compliance with UK legislation and applying best practice is critical to protecting workers and the public.

Legislation Governing Working at Heights in Events

Several key pieces of legislation apply to working at height and rigging in the UK events industry:

• Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WaH Regs) – The primary legislation covering all work where a fall could cause injury. Employers must avoid work at height where possible, and where unavoidable, plan and carry it out safely.
• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) – Applies to all lifting equipment and operations, including motors, hoists, trusses, and other lifting accessories used in rigging.
• Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) – Requires that all work equipment (e.g. ladders, MEWPs, tools) is suitable, maintained, and used safely.
• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) – The overarching legislation requiring employers to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees and others.

Together, these regulations place a duty on event organisers, contractors, and employers to ensure that working at height is properly planned, supervised, and carried out by competent people.

Rigging, SWL and Load Calculations

Rigging in Events

Rigging is one of the most safety-critical aspects of event production. It involves suspending heavy loads such as lighting rigs, video walls, speakers, and scenery above performers and audiences. Incorrect rigging can lead to catastrophic failures.

Key requirements include:

• Rigging must only be carried out by competent and qualified riggers.
• All equipment (hoists, motors, trusses, shackles, slings) must be inspected and maintained in line with LOLER.
• Loads must never exceed Safe Working Loads (SWL) specified by the manufacturer.
• Rigging plans must be prepared, including load calculations and points of attachment.

Safe Working Load (SWL)

Every lifting accessory and point must have a clearly defined SWL – the maximum load it can safely handle. Rigging teams must:

• Never exceed SWL.
• Consider dynamic forces (e.g. movement or wind on outdoor structures).
• Factor in multiple load points and distribution.

Load Calculations

Accurate load calculations are critical. This involves:

• Calculating the total suspended load (equipment + rigging accessories).
• Confirming that venue roof beams or temporary structures can support the combined weight.
• Using load monitoring equipment where necessary.

Organisers should always request rigging calculations and approval by a competent structural engineer or venue rigging department.

LOLER Requirements in Events

Under LOLER 1998, any lifting operation must be:

• Properly planned by a competent person.
• Supervised and carried out in a safe manner.
• Carried out with equipment that has been thoroughly examined and certified.

This applies to:

• Chain hoists and motors.
• Truss systems.
• Slings, shackles, and lifting accessories.
• Cranes, MEWPs, or other lifting machinery used in builds.

Thorough Examination certificates (often every 6 or 12 months, depending on equipment) must be available for inspection.

PPE Requirements for Working at Height

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is the last line of defence against falls and injuries. In events, the following are typically required:

• Hard Hats – with chin straps, to protect from falling objects and when working on trusses or under rigging.
• Harnesses – full body harnesses used when working on trusses, in MEWPs, or where fall risks exist.
• Fall Arrest Systems – including lanyards, shock absorbers, and inertia reels, attached to suitable anchor points.
• Hi-Vis Clothing – especially during build and break phases when multiple contractors are operating.
• Protective Footwear – steel or composite toe-capped boots to protect against dropped equipment.

All PPE must be inspected regularly, with harnesses and lanyards subject to recorded checks in line with manufacturer’s guidance.

Safe Systems of Work

The Work at Height Regulations require employers to use a hierarchy of controls:

• Avoid work at height where possible (e.g. assemble equipment at ground level).
• Use collective protective measures (e.g. guardrails, scaffolding, MEWPs).
• Use personal protective measures (e.g. harnesses and fall arrest).

For event organisers and contractors, safe systems of work include:

• Rigging plans and method statements.
• Toolbox talks and inductions for working at height.
• Rescue plans in case of a fall (not just reliance on emergency services).
• Restricting access to rigging areas and under suspended loads.

Event Organiser Responsibilities

Even if specialist riggers and contractors are engaged, the organiser remains responsible for ensuring health and safety on-site. This includes:

• Checking competence of contractors (qualifications, experience, references).
• Verifying LOLER and PUWER compliance (certification and inspections).
• Ensuring risk assessments and method statements (RAMS) are submitted.
• Coordinating with venues and Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) where applicable.

Why Working at Height Safety Protects Events

Safe working at height ensures:

• Worker protection – reducing risks of falls, struck-by incidents, or rigging failures.
• Public safety – ensuring heavy equipment above crowds is secured correctly.
• Legal compliance – meeting WaH, LOLER, and PUWER requirements.
• Professional reputation – demonstrating competence and professionalism to clients, venues, and authorities.

Failures in working at height can have fatal consequences and can shut down an event instantly. Compliance is not optional — it is essential.

FAQs on Working at Height in Events

1. Do the Work at Height Regulations apply to temporary event sites?

Yes. The WaH Regs apply to all work at height in the UK, including temporary structures and event builds.

2. Who can carry out rigging at events?

Only competent riggers with appropriate training, certification, and experience. Many are members of professional bodies such as PLASA or NRC (National Rigging Certificate).

3. How often does lifting equipment need inspecting?

Under LOLER, lifting equipment must be thoroughly examined at least every 6 months (for lifting people) or every 12 months (for lifting equipment only).

4. Are harnesses legally required?

Harnesses must be used where there is a fall risk and no collective protection (like guardrails). They must always be used with suitable anchor points and fall arrest systems.

5. What documentation should organisers request from rigging contractors?

• Risk assessments and method statements.
• Evidence of competence (certifications).
• LOLER inspection certificates for lifting equipment.
• PPE inspection records.

Final Thoughts

Working at height in the events industry is high-risk and highly regulated. By following the Work at Height Regulations, LOLER, and PUWER, and ensuring contractors are competent, organisers can minimise risks and guarantee safe event builds.

With proper planning, rigging calculations, PPE, and certified lifting equipment, events can run safely — protecting both workers and the public.