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Work at Height Essentials (Theory & Practical) - OPITO Certified Training


OPITO Certified Work at Height Essentials Theory & Practical Training for Personnel Who Works on Heights

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The Working at Height Essentials (Theory) training introduces delegates to working at height, the associated regulations and guidelines as well as hazards, varying equipment and PPE. The Working at Height Essentials (Practical) provides delegates with the necessary practical skills required for inspection and use of equipment and PPE and to enable safe ascent to and descent from a height.

The course working at height is meant for anyone who works on heights, where in case of emergency, people have to be rescued using climbing ropes. During this working on height courses, the course participant is taught both the theory as well as practice of the dangers, risks and on how to behave while working on height and rescue operations. Since there are a lot of risks involved it is very important that the people who work here are trained well.

The delegates will gain knowledge, skills and experience that are necessary to select and set up working at heights equipment ready for safe use and operation; identify risks in the workplace and eliminate or reduce the risk of severe or fatal injuries; demonstrate to others that you are taking the necessary steps to meet the requirements of National & International standards & Statutory requirements; and use of fall protection system and devices, with rescue measures.

  • Duration: 4 hours theory & 4 hours practical
  • Validity: 3 years for both
  • Prerequisites: None for theory & practical training learners must possess a valid OPITO Working at Height Essentials (Theory) certificate.

opito work at height training

Working at Height Essentials (Theory & Practical)

OPITO Working at Height Essentials (Theory) Training

Applicable regional legislation and guidelines

  • HSE Working at Height Regulations 2005 Where regionally specific legislation and guideline exist, these should be referenced

Hazards associated with working at height

  • Fall from a height
  • Dropped objects
  • Suspension trauma
  • Environmental conditions e.g. wind, precipitation and ice
  • Fragile [roof] surfaces

Safe systems of work for working at height

  • Hierarchy of controls
  • Supervision
  • Training and Competence
  • Planning
  • Rescue Planning
  • Risk assessment

Different platforms for working at height

  • Scaffolding
  • Elevated baskets
  • MEWPs

Different ladders types, safe use and associated hazards To include as a minimum:

  • Leaning ladders
  • Step ladders
  • Fixed vertical ladders

Fall prevention measures

  • Prevention vs arrest
  • Fall prevention equipment and pre use inspection
  • Attachment and anchor points
  • Ladder fall prevention
  • Fall prevention on scaffolding including ‘scaff tag’ check

Fall arrest systems

  • Rail, wire and inertia reels
  • Twin and single fall arrest lanyards
  • Relevant equipment pre use inspection
  • Lanyard deployment and related fall distances
  • The Pendulum effect
  • Ladder fall arrest
  • Calculating total fall distance

Appropriate structural anchor points, attachment points and work positioning points

  • Definition, identification and use of - Structural anchor points & Attachment points
  • Work positioning points

PPE and associated equipment including pre use inspection

  • Harnesses and associated equipment
  • Harness inspection
  • Dropped objects
  • Risk identification
  • Risk reduction

Emergency procedures and rescue equipment

  • Hazard identification
  • Dynamic risk assessment
  • Pre use inspection of rescue equipment

OPITO Working at Height Essentials (Practical) Training

Pre work planning

  • Involvement in planning of scenario-based work at height

Inspection and donning of an appropriate harness

  • Select correct size
  • Conduct pre use inspection
  • Correct pre use checks and use of fall prevention and arrest equipment
  • Pre use inspection to include - Hardware, Web lanyard, Shock absorber pack, Shock absorbing lanyard, and Rope Lanyard

Ascent and decent of ladders, ladder transfers and working on platforms

  • Ascent and decent of the following ladder types using correct technique and correct use PPE, fall prevention and various types of fall arrest equipment
  • Ladder Transfers including - to and from a working platform & to reverse side of ladder
  • Working against or next to unguarded openings

Disclaimer: For general information purpose only - please check with OPITO for the latest and accurate information on Training Standards

Last Updated: May 24, 2021