Working at height is part of daily life in the telecoms sector. Fitting antennas, repairing masts and installing equipment on rooftops happens every day across the UK.
It remains one of the most dangerous activities on any construction site. One slip, one shortcut or one missed check can cause a serious incident.
Construction site owners managing telecoms work must understand their responsibilities clearly. Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM), planning and managing height work properly is a legal duty.
This article explains how CDM applies to telecoms projects and how site owners can protect workers and themselves from serious risks.
Understanding CDM Regulations in a Telecoms Context
CDM regulations are not limited to large building projects. They apply to a wide range of telecoms activities, including installing new masts, upgrading rooftop equipment and decommissioning old structures.
If the work involves construction-like activities, then CDM applies. This includes planning, managing and monitoring the work to ensure it is carried out safely.
Duty holders must be identified at the outset. These include the client, principal designer, principal contractor and workers.
Telecoms projects often involve several subcontractors such as riggers, installers and rope access teams. Clear communication about responsibilities is essential to prevent confusion and reduce risks.
Why Proper Certification and Competence Matter
Competence is critical for any work at height. Workers must have the right training, knowledge and experience for the specific tasks they carry out.
It is not enough for workers to claim experience in similar jobs. They must hold a valid certification that demonstrates competence in working at height.
A working at heights certificate confirms that a worker understands how to assess risks, inspect equipment and carry out rescue procedures if needed. Certification also helps site owners meet their CDM duty to appoint competent workers. It supports wider safety management by making compliance easier to demonstrate during inspections or investigations.
Key Risk Management Duties Under CDM for Work at Height
The first priority under CDM is to avoid work at height where possible. If it cannot be avoided, risks must be assessed properly and appropriate controls must be put in place.
Risk assessments must consider access routes, working platforms, weather conditions, rescue plans, equipment inspections and supervision arrangements. Safe systems of work must be documented clearly and communicated to everyone involved.
Method statements should explain how the work will be completed safely, not just how it will be done. Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be treated as a last resort.
Collective protections such as guardrails or fixed platforms must be prioritised wherever practical. Good planning reduces risks before the work even begins.
Equipment and Access Planning in Telecoms Installations
Choosing the right access equipment is vital for safe telecoms work. Using the wrong method introduces risks before a worker leaves the ground.
Sometimes scaffolding is the safest choice. Other times, a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) or a rope access system is more appropriate, depending on the task.
Anchor points must be tested and suitable for the intended loads. Improvised solutions or untested anchors are never acceptable.
Harnesses, lanyards and lifelines must be selected carefully for the specific job. Equipment must be inspected before use, after any incident and at regular intervals as required by law.
Planning access and equipment properly allows workers to focus on their tasks with confidence in their safety.
The Role of CDM in Multi-Contractor Telecoms Projects
Telecoms projects rarely involve just one team. Rigging crews, electrical contractors, equipment suppliers and rope access specialists often work on site at different stages.
Without proper coordination, risks grow quickly. Managing multiple teams safely is a significant challenge for any project.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 state that principal contractors must coordinate all contractors on site. No team should begin work without a clear briefing on site hazards, access routes and emergency procedures.
There must be one set of consistent site rules. Different teams following different standards increases the chance of accidents and confusion.
The Role of the Principal Contractor in Multi-Contractor Telecoms Projects
Under CDM, the principal contractor holds responsibility for coordinating all contractors working on site. They must make sure every team understands the site rules, safety arrangements and emergency procedures.
There should be no separate systems for different contractors. Everyone must work to the same standards.
Sharing masts or rooftop spaces without proper communication causes serious problems. Workers may trip over equipment, rescue plans may conflict and no one may know who is responsible when issues arise.
Site owners must check that principal contractors are managing their duties properly. It is not enough to assume contractors will coordinate themselves.
Strong coordination makes projects safer and protects everyone involved.
Why CDM Awareness at All Levels Improves Site Safety
Rules are only effective when everyone understands them. CDM awareness must not stay in the project file or management office.
Workers on site must understand why Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) matter. Supervisors need to feel confident to stop work if conditions change. Site managers must be ready to spot risks and act.
Enrolling in CDM awareness training helps workers understand how their actions fit into the wider site safety picture. When workers understand CDM properly, they recognise risks earlier, challenge unsafe behaviours and make better decisions under pressure. Awareness turns site safety into a working culture, not a paperwork exercise.
Best Practices for Construction Site Owners Overseeing Telecoms Projects
Site owners have a major influence on how safe a project is. Their leadership sets the standard from the beginning.
Choosing contractors carefully is critical. Site owners must check training records, certifications and references rather than selecting teams based only on price.
Demand proper RAMS for every high-risk task and review them carefully. Do not approve plans without understanding them fully. Check access and equipment plans during the design stage and ask how future maintenance and access needs will be managed.
Schedule regular inspections throughout the project to check that controls remain effective. Be prepared to pause work immediately if safety standards slip.
No deadline or saving is worth risking a worker’s life.
Final Words
Telecoms work at height brings real risks that must be managed properly. The CDM Regulations place clear duties on site owners, designers, contractors and workers.
Good planning, proven competence and strong communication are essential for building safer projects. Construction site owners who understand their CDM responsibilities and ensure their teams do too create safer and more successful outcomes.
Respect the risks. Plan carefully. Manage risks properly. A good telecoms project is not only one that finishes on time, but one where every worker goes home safely.