This new guidance supports the industry in their selection of work at height equipment and has been developed following full consultation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Most cold store and frozen food operators require access for work at height activities. Due to the harsh climatic environment within a cold store, with temperatures often below -20 degrees C, there is a lack of current state-of-the-art technology providing ‘work at height’ solutions for the industry. Consequently prior to the agreement of this new guidance, many cold store operators were in breach of existing HSE guidance in this area by regularly utilising non-integrated working platforms for planned work. This meant that companies were potentially liable to prosecution and the industry lacked practical safety guidance in this area.

BFFF and FSDF have worked for some time with HSE to deliver a solution for the industry and HSE has recognised the practical limitations for cold stores. The resulting new guidance is supplementary to existing HSE Guidance note PM284, and supports cold store operators in their selection of work at height equipment by outlining a hierarchy of the alternatives available. It also includes some examples of elements to consider in developing a safe system of work for the operation of lift truck and non-integrated working platform combinations.