If a work environment requires employees to work at heights, the employer is responsible for providing necessary training to reduce the risk of injury. Workers need to know how to take the right precautions for preventing accidents and reducing the chance of severe injury from falls.
The RIIWHS204E is recommended best practice and failure to meet this may result in fines and penalties for the employer. If you want to meet the requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, you should find out how to complete the necessary training.
What Is the Training Requirement for the RIIWHS204E?
When choosing a training provider for the Working at Heights Course, only approved providers should be chosen. The provider must be nationally accredited and working with an RTO approved by ASQA and with the RIIWHS204E unit of competency on scope.
There are also specific requirements for assessing the competency of students. When you complete the course, your assessor needs to meet industry regulations for certification. The assessment is required for you to obtain your Statement of Attainment.
The government recommends that the assessment is performed in the sector’s work environment. If you work in mining, for example, the assessor should base your assessment on knowledge related to your industry.
Assessors are also required to have a certain level of experience in the industry of the worker being assessed. For example, when assessing workers who work in the civil construction industry, the assessor must have at least five years of experience.
Students do not have any training requirements. There are no prerequisites for completing these training courses. Any worker that works at heights should have access to the necessary training. However, providers often recommend that students possess basic English literacy skills and numeracy skills.
How Is the RIIWHS204E Training Delivered?
Training is available online and face-to-face. However, to obtain the actual unit of competency for RIIWHS204E, you must complete the course practical in-person. These courses are typically delivered over an eight-hour day, including the face-to-face training and the assessment.
While the standard full course takes eight hours to complete, the total time may vary, depending on the number of participants. If there are fewer than four students, the course time may be reduced slightly. If there are more than 15 students, it is common for the course to last a little longer.
Online training is sometimes recommended as a refresher or for new participants to grasp the theories. However, these online courses will not provide participants with the accreditations offered through the face-to-face training.
Why Do You Need to Complete the RIIWHS204E?
The RIIWHS204E replaces the RIIOHS204A certificate for Work Safely at Heights is designed to teach participants how to work safely from scaffolding, ladders, and other equipment or settings that include a risk of injury from falling.
The courses include a combination of practical training and theory to teach you the basics of working from heights safely. You may learn how to assess the safety of equipment and which steps are necessary for reducing the risk of injuries, such as the proper use of anchorage points or protection equipment.
The RIIWHS204E is recommended for anyone who works at heights. This may include those who are involved in drilling, mining, extraction, and civil construction.
How Much Does the RIIWHS204E Training Cost?
The average price for RIIWHS204E training is $255 and completed in one day. However, providers may charge any reasonable fee for these courses. In Sydney, there are several providers that offer the course for $230 per student. In Melbourne and Brisbane, the cost may vary between $220 and $270.
Providers may offer a discount to employers that require group training. If more than one employee needs to complete their training, group training is often more cost-effective and efficient.
What Will You Learn with the RIIWHS204E?
After completing the practical skills and theory portion of the one-day training course, participants will be assessed. The RIIWHS204E assessment is necessary to demonstrate the participant’s competency.
Some of the skills that you need to demonstrate include accessing and interpreting technical and safety information for working at heights. You also need to assess the risks and hazards associated with working at heights and the methods for controlling these risks.
During the training course, you will also learn how to identify the required safety systems for your work environment. This may include the use of fall protection and associated equipment. You will also learn how to determine whether this equipment is properly fitted, adjusted, and anchored.
Understanding the names and functions of various safety equipment and components is also essential. You may need to comply with the specific instructions and specifications of the equipment manufacturers to comply with safe work methods.
Using various height applications, these courses often include practical exercises involving ladders and other equipment. You will learn fall prevention methods and how to estimate fall distances and clearances.
It should be mentioned that participants should possess a reasonable level of fitness. These training courses require hands-on training. Many providers also recommend that you wear sturdy footwear, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants.
What Accreditation Will You Get?
After completing an approved Working at Heights Course, participants are awarded several accreditations. They receive the RIIWHS204E certificate, along with a Statement of Attainment and a wallet-sized card.
The RIIWHS204E is a requirement for any worker who will be working at heights. If you are an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that your workers receive the necessary training. If you are a worker, you should ensure that your employer provides access to these training courses.
What About Refreshers Online? (in short yes)
If you have previously completed the course face to face and have a Statement of Attainment then online refreshers are accepted by many workplaces. You should check with yours if you are unsure. You would then couple your original Statement of Attainment with your refresher training certificate of completion to show you have re-sat the content. You can purchase a refresher based on Working at Heights online at OHS.com.au.
Summary
Working Safely at Heights Course must be completed face-to-face to get a Statement of Attainment. These courses typically last for eight hours and involve a combination of practical hands-on training and observational training. While online courses are available, they are mostly intended for providing a refresher on the topics covered in the course.
The bottom line is that working at heights includes the potential risk of falling. To improve worker safety conditions, it is essential that all workers learn the basics of assessing safety hazards, using proper fall protection equipment, and inspecting equipment. Visit AlertForce for more information.
