A worker survives a fall. Six weeks of recovery. Now they want their job back. The next 30 days decide whether they recover fully and rejoin the team safely, or whether the second incident closes the case for everyone. This is how Irish employers manage phased return after a work-at-height fall.
The legal frame
Under the SHWW Act 2005 and the Employment Equality Acts:
- Employers must make reasonable accommodation for a worker returning after injury
- Occupational health assessment must be considered before resumption of high-risk duties
- The risk assessment must be re-run for the returning worker, not just for the role
- Refresher training is expected before any return to work at height
The phased return checklist
- Week 0 (the fall): incident report filed with HSA if reportable, claim notified to insurer, casualty in care
- Week 1-4: medical recovery, employer maintains contact, plans the return
- Week 4-6: occupational health assessment - "fit to return", "fit with accommodation", or "not fit"
- Week 6: return interview, refresher training booked, role review
- Week 7-12: phased return - ground duties, supervised height work, full duties
- Week 12+: review milestone - was the phased plan adequate, any residual concerns
What occupational health looks for
- Physical recovery - bone, joint, mobility, balance
- Psychological recovery - any height-trigger anxiety, sleep, concentration
- Medication that could affect height work (sedation, vertigo)
- Any residual symptoms that change the risk profile
OH does not replace the line manager's judgment - it informs it.
Reasonable accommodation in practice
Examples Irish employers commonly arrange:
- Ground-only duties for first 2-4 weeks
- Buddy system - return worker paired with senior on every height task
- Height limit (e.g. ladder only, no MEWP) for first phase
- Regular check-ins with line manager
- Counselling or EAP referral if psychological symptoms persist
The refresher training - the most important step
Every Irish worker returning to height work after a fall must complete a Working at Heights refresher. This is not "going through the motions" - it is the documented evidence that:
- The worker is current on the regulations
- The system that failed has been re-explained
- The control hierarchy is freshly drilled
- The rescue plan is reinforced
The Working at Heights Refresher Course handles this in 45 minutes online - same depth as the original course, instant certificate.
What to discuss in the return interview
- What happened, in the worker's words
- What controls have been added since the incident
- How the worker feels about returning to height
- Any role-change preferences (some may not want to return to height work)
- Communication channels for concerns
- Phased return timeline agreed and documented
The team factor
The crew also needs to be re-briefed:
- Toolbox talk on the incident learnings (HSA-confidentiality permitting)
- Any equipment changes or new controls
- Brief on supporting the returning colleague
- Renewed rescue plan rehearsal
Documentation
Keep on file for the HSA and your insurer:
- Incident report
- Investigation findings
- Updated risk assessment
- Occupational health letter
- Refresher training certificate
- Phased return plan signed by both sides
- Review meeting minutes
When return is not possible
Sometimes the worker cannot or chooses not to return to height work. In that case:
- Explore alternative roles (ground crew, supervisor, training, sales)
- Reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts
- Document the conversation and the agreed outcome
- Insurance and Personal Injury Assessment Board (PIAB) processes continue independently
The training piece
The Working at Heights Refresher Course online is the step that closes the loop. 45 minutes, 35 euro, instant Working at Heights Certificate. The same online course can also re-certify the rest of the team if the incident points to wider gaps.
FAQs
Can I refuse to take a worker back if they cannot do height work?
Not without exhausting reasonable accommodation. Speak to an employment lawyer before any termination.
How long should the phased return last?
Typically 4-12 weeks, calibrated to the incident severity and OH assessment.
Is the refresher mandatory after a fall, or just recommended?
Strongly expected. Most insurers and the HSA will treat absence of post-incident refresher as a contributing factor in any future claim.
Close the loop properly. Start the Working at Heights Refresher Course online, 45 minutes, instant Working at Heights Certificate.
