New Work at Height Regulations came into force in April and there is a new British Standard to help you to comply with them.

The Regulations bring together all existing work at height regulation and state the minimum health and safety requirements for the use of equipment for work at height.

Employers have a duty to ensure that work at a height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a manner that is safe.

Elizabeth Gibby, head of the Health, Safety, Ethical & Environmental Executive\'s Injuries Reduction Programme, says there were 67 deaths as the result of falling from heights in 2003-04 and nearly 4,000 major injuries. "They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the biggest causes of major injury," she says.

HSE say it is essential for employers, the self-employed, and any person that controls the work of others (for example facilities managers or building owners who may contract others to work at height) to be fully up-to-date with the new legislation.

To support the new regulations, BSI have published a new British Standard, BS 8437:2005 \'Code of practice for selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment for use in the workplace\'.

It should assist those seeking to comply with the Work at Height Regulations. It brings together personal fall protection best practice from a range of sources, including HSE representatives, manufacturers, research studies and training organizations.

Copies are available, price £178 plus p&p £4.17 UK, £5.83 overseas (£89 with free p&p to BSI Subscribing Members). Pre-payment is required from non-Members. For orders, contact BSI Customer Services. Tel: 020 8996 9001