Working at heights increases the risk of falling and other accidents. The OSH Act has specific regulations for protecting workers against these risks.
As part of the OSH regulations, workers may need to complete working at heights training. The training course covers the skills and knowledge needed for identifying work hazards when completing tasks that involve a risk of falling.
During training, you will learn how to assess hazards and implement risk management procedures. However, this training is not always a requirement in Western Australia.
To find out if you need to complete working at heights training Perth, review the following information.
Do I Need Working at Heights Training in Perth?
According to work-related injury statistics, over 20 Australian workers die each year due to falls.
RIIWHS204E Work Safely at Heights is the nationally recognised program that meets the WHS, OHS and OSH requirements.
The course content includes an explanation of the hierarchy of control measures. Implementing these control measures requires you to follow these steps:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
Elimination provides the most effective solution for reducing risks and hazards. However, if the threat cannot be eliminated, substitution may prevent exposure to hazardous work environments.
Substitution typically involves substituting means of access. For example, you can install a permanent ladder in place of a temporary one to offer a more stable structure for reaching a tall work area.
Engineering controls mostly involve taking steps to keep others away from the hazards. This includes using signs, locks, and notices warning of the dangers.
Administrative controls include steps that supervisors may take to limit exposure to hazards, such as reducing the amount of time spent working at heights.
Protective equipment offers the least effective control measure. Accessing and installing equipment to reduce potential injuries provides a last effort for minimising risks.
Before enrolling at an approved training centre, you need to review the prerequisites.
In most cases, you will need to obtain your white card before taking the work safely at heights course. You also need to have a photo ID, English language skills and must show up wearing normal work clothes.
For What Height Do You Need a Working at Heights Ticket?
If your work requirements involve working at heights of two metres or more, you need to complete the RIIWHS204E program.
Even if the work area does not meet the height requirements, the program still provides valuable training. Under model WHS regulations, the PCBU has obligations to minimise the risk of falls. This includes using protective equipment and installing fall prevention systems.
The Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) helped establish a code of practice for working at heights. This includes the following priorities:
- Reducing risks
- Improving the management of health and safety
- Preventing work-related diseases
- Eliminating hazards through design
- Increasing the government’s influence on worker safety and health
Basically, if you perform any task that includes a risk of falling from any height, completing this program may help you avoid injury.
As part of the hierarchy of control measures, you can take additional steps to reduce the risk of injury from falls. This includes working from a suitable platform whenever possible and using edge protection equipment on scaffolding or guardrails.
Workers may also need to check all structures, scaffolding, and other equipment for security and stability before work starts. Fall prevention and fall arrest systems should only be used when you cannot implement other higher order control measures.
As with fall prevention systems, a ladder should only be used when other higher levels of control cannot be used.
Employers or supervisors should also establish emergency procedures. This includes the steps to follow for dealing with a fall, which is also covered during construction induction training.
When Should I Consider Retaking the Working at Heights Course?
After completing the program, you will receive a statement of attainment. Retain a copy of the statement for validation purposes. The statement or ticket does not expire.
The working at heights ticket has no expiry date, but many safety groups recommend retaking it every two years or whenever industry standards change. Instead of retaking the initial program, you can use an online refresher program to refresh your understanding of the working at heights code of practice.
Along with the RIIWHS204E refresher course, you can enrol in a RIIWHS202E confined spaces awareness refresher program. As with the working at heights program, you should retake the refresher course every two years.
How Long Is the Working at Heights Course Perth?
The duration of the program depends on the training organisation and a few other factors, such as the number of attendees. The total training and assessment will take about one full day.
AlertForce also offers the online refresher course for working at heights training. The online program is self-paced and typically takes a couple of hours to complete.
If you require more information about these programs, please contact the experts at AlertForce.
