Generally, the risks associated with having unrestricted windows on a ground floor is that a person could climb through the window without permission i.e a burglar. Whereas with higher-level floors, the risks associated with unrestricted windows is falling.

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Health and social care providers must assess risks at their premises. Where assessment identifies the risk of falling against or through glazing, adequate precautions must be taken. These may include provision of suitable safety film, replacement with safety glass or provision of barriers. Glass doors and patio windows should also be fitted (in accordance with building regulations and British Standards) with toughened or safety glass or covered with a protective safety film. Falls from windows and balconies Serious injuries and fatalities have occurred when people have fallen from or through windows in health and social care premises. Please note if you are a provider registered with CQC, and with premises located in England, CQC is the relevant regulatory body for patient safety matters Legally, you must have a 'competent' person carry out a risk assessment to determine whether you need to have window restrictors fitted or not. However, if you do require window restrictors, the HSE advise that ‘windows that are large enough to allow people to fall out should be restrained sufficiently to prevent such falls. The opening should be restricted to 100 mm or less. Window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key’. What is a 'competent' person?

A window restrictor is a safety device which prevents a window from opening more than a fixed distance. The fixed distance is typically set at 100mm, which is to prevent anybody from getting in and out the window. But under what circumstances are window restrictors legally required? Legal Requirements A competent person. You must get help from a competent person to enable you to meet the requirements of health and safety law. A competent person is someone who has sufficient training and experience or knowledge and other qualities that allow them to assist you properly. accidental – these are a minority, but occur where people unintentionally fall through or from windows. This can happen where people are able to sit on and fall from sills, or where windows are positioned such that people could easily fall through them. Where assessment identifies that people using care services are at risk from falling from windows or balconies at a height likely to cause harm (eg above ground floor level), suitable precautions must be taken. Windows that are large enough to allow people to fall out should be restrained sufficiently to prevent such falls. The opening should be restricted to 100 mm or less. Window restrictors should only be able to be disengaged using a special tool or key. Access may need to be restricted to balconies that are not designed to prevent people who are at risk from climbing over. Further information Falls from windows or balconies in health and social care (HSIS5) - this HSE information sheet provides advice on controlling risks to people who use health and social care services associated with falls from windows or balconies.