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    Spain · National · Royal Decree

    Royal Decree 2177/2004 · Temporary work at height

    Amending instrument not repealed according to the BOE record; consult the current receiving legislation

    Official title in the original Spanish publication: Real Decreto 2177/2004, de 12 de noviembre, por el que se modifica el Real Decreto 1215/1997, de 18 de julio, por el que se establecen las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y salud para la utilización por los trabajadores de los equipos de trabajo, en materia de trabajos temporales en altura.

    Original publication and analysisELI identifier
    On this page
    1. What it regulates
    2. Who it applies to
    3. Key provisions
    4. History and versions
    5. Transitional provisions and application notes
    6. Official BOE legal relationships
    7. Official sources
    8. Explore the concepts in Sabentis Explore

    What it regulates

    It introduced specific requirements for equipment and techniques used in temporary work at height within Royal Decree 1215/1997, with adjustments to workplace and construction rules.

    Who it applies to

    Temporary work at height using work equipment, ladders, scaffolds or rope-access techniques. Selection must reflect risk assessment and actual working conditions.

    Key provisions

    It prioritises collective protection and requires suitable equipment to maintain safe, ergonomic conditions. The choice cannot be subordinated to economic criteria.

    Annex: section 4.1 of Annex II to Royal Decree 1215/1997

    It restricts ladders as workstations to cases where safer equipment is not justified because of the low risk and site characteristics the employer cannot alter. It also sets requirements for stability and use.

    Annex: sections 4.1.2 and 4.2

    It sets scaffold requirements, including calculations or recognised configurations, plans where required, assembly and dismantling by trained personnel and prescribed inspections.

    Annex: section 4.3

    It regulates rope access and positioning, attachment, safety devices, training and rescue capability. Any exception to two ropes requires specific justification and suitable protective measures.

    Annex: section 4.4

    History and versions

    Initial publication: 13/11/2004 · Initial entry into force: 03/12/2004

    BOE-A-2004-19311

    Published on 13 November 2004 and effective from 3 December 2004. It amended annexes and repeals in Royal Decree 1215/1997, Annex I to Royal Decree 486/1997 and Annex IV to Royal Decree 1627/1997. BOE preserves the reform in the receiving texts.

    Published on 13 November 2004 and effective from 3 December 2004. It amended annexes and repeals in Royal Decree 1215/1997, Annex I to Royal Decree 486/1997 and Annex IV to Royal Decree 1627/1997. BOE preserves the reform in the receiving texts.

    Publication: 13/11/2004 · Effective date: 03/12/2004

    BOE-A-2004-19311

    This instrument’s amendments are incorporated into Royal Decree 1215/1997 · Use of work equipment. The latest published wording of the receiving text checked is dated 2004-11-13; that date belongs to the receiving instrument and is not a new publication of this amending instrument.

    BOE-A-1997-17824

    This instrument’s amendments are incorporated into Royal Decree 486/1997 · Workplaces. The latest published wording of the receiving text checked is dated 2023-05-12; that date belongs to the receiving instrument and is not a new publication of this amending instrument.

    BOE-A-1997-8669

    This instrument’s amendments are incorporated into Royal Decree 1627/1997 · Safety and health on construction sites. The latest published wording of the receiving text checked is dated 2010-03-23; that date belongs to the receiving instrument and is not a new publication of this amending instrument.

    BOE-A-1997-22614
    Incorporation of this amendment into consolidated receiving texts

    The table identifies where this amendment was incorporated. Dates refer to its versions in each receiving text, not a complete history of subsequent amendments to that text.

    PublicationEffective dateOfficial referenceReceiving textAffected provisions
    13/11/200403/12/2004BOE-A-2004-19311Royal Decree 1215/1997 · Use of work equipmentRepealing provision sole, Annex I, Annex II
    13/11/200403/12/2004BOE-A-2004-19311Royal Decree 486/1997 · WorkplacesAnnex I
    13/11/200403/12/2004BOE-A-2004-19311Royal Decree 1627/1997 · Safety and health on construction sitesAnnex IV

    Transitional provisions and application notes

    • The historical repeal covered Chapter VII of the 1940 regulation and Chapter III of the 1952 construction regulation. It does not automatically repeal every provision in both texts.

      Partial repeals

    • There is no general permission to use ladders or ropes because they are cheaper. Selection, protective measures and emergency arrangements must be justified for the actual circumstances.

      Application to the actual work

    Official BOE legal relationships

    Relationships may affect only specific provisions. They do not by themselves determine the status of the whole instrument: consult its history and application notes.

    Earlier references (7)

    Official sources

    Official sources checked on 14/11/2026. Updating a database record does not by itself mean that the legislation has been amended.

    Sources for the amending instrument

    1. Original publication and analysis
    2. ELI identifier

    The BOE provides no separate consolidated text for this amending instrument. Its original publication and the receiving texts are linked so that the current wording can be consulted.

    Consolidated receiving texts

    1. Royal Decree 1215/1997 · Use of work equipment
    2. Royal Decree 486/1997 · Workplaces
    3. Royal Decree 1627/1997 · Safety and health on construction sites

    Official BOE sources consulted on 14 November 2026. This amending instrument should be read together with the current receiving legislation. Consolidation is for information; consult the official publication for legal purposes.

    Sabentis editorial summary. The official title and legal sources are retained in Spanish. This is not an official English translation and does not replace the legal text.

    Editorial information

    Publication date: 14 November 2026.

    Editorial responsibility: Sabentis editorial team.

    Editorial review by Pablo RodríguezLinkedIn

    Executive Vice President of the International ORP Foundation and Chief Financial Officer of Sabentis.

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