BS 8681:2024 is the latest British Standard shaking up the work-at-height industry and if you’re involved in fall protection, you need to know what it means for you.

Below, we answer the top questions facilities managers, building managers, safety professionals and duty holders are asking about BS 8681:2024 and explain how Access North is aligning with its requirements.

BS 8681:2024 is the new British Standard for competence in the design, installation, inspection, training and ongoing management of personal fall protection anchor systems. It was officially published in November 2024 and sets out expectations for every role involved in a system’s lifecycle - from manufacturer through to site inspector.

BS 8681:2024 applies to any individual or organisation involved in:

• Designing anchor systems
• Manufacturing components
• Installing fall protection systems
• Inspecting, testing and recertifying anchor points
• Training operatives or end-users
• Auditing and managing work-at-height processes

That includes manufacturers, specialist contractors (like Access North) and even the duty-holders (facilities managers, building owners) responsible for overseeing building safety.

Because it raises the bar.

Where BS 7883:2019 focused on the technical design and inspection of systems, BS 8681:2024 shifts the spotlight to competency - ensuring the people designing and installing those systems are trained, supervised, and audited appropriately.

With growing scrutiny on safety competence - especially under the Building Safety Act and PAS 8670 - this standard couldn’t have landed at a better time.

No - but we think it it should be.

BS 8681:2024 is not yet a legal requirement. However, in a modern regulatory climate, demonstrating compliance with up-to-date British Standards is rapidly becoming an industry expectation.

For duty-holders, it's about risk mitigation.
For contractors, it's about remaining competitive.

The standard sets out:

• Clear minimum competence requirements for different roles
• How to deliver ongoing training, mentoring and supervision
• Expectations for auditing and quality control
• What documentation and record-keeping is needed
• How to manage change and continual improvement

Put simply, BS 8681:2024 tells the industry: "If you're involved in fall protection, you need to prove you're doing it right."

At Access North, we’ve always believed that safety isn’t a checkbox - it’s a culture. That’s why:

• Our fall protection team is already IRATA and IPAF trained
• We run regular internal audits and peer reviews
• All installations and inspections are double-checked by qualified supervisors
• We invest in continuous professional development to stay ahead of emerging standards

With BS 8681:2024 in force, we’re doubling down on our commitment to competence - so that our clients can feel confident they’re working with a provider who’s not just compliant, but looking ahead and to the future.

Yes - start asking the right questions.

If your building has, or requires, a fall protection system, you should now be asking:

• Is my provider BS 8681:2024-ready?
• Can they prove competence across design, installation and inspection?
• Are the right people doing the right jobs, with the right training and supervision?

If the answer isn’t a confident “YES”, it’s time for a new conversation.

You can purchase the full standard directly from the British Standards Institution (BSI). It’s available in hard copy and e‑PDF format.