COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Safe Practices for Working at Heights course. This training program is designed to equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to identify, manage, and control risks associated with working at heights.

As one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in Australian workplaces, height-related work requires rigorous adherence to safety standards, legislative requirements, and proven safe work methods.

This course begins by defining what constitutes working at height under current WHS regulations and highlighting the prevalence of injuries from falls in construction, maintenance, electrical, and telecommunications industries. This section also outlines typical tasks and work environments where fall risks exist, from roofing and ladder use to elevated platforms and scaffolding systems.

A strong understanding of the legal framework is fundamental. This section explores the obligations of PCBUs and workers under the WHS Act and Regulations, introduces the AS/NZS 1891 standards for industrial fall-arrest systems, and explains relevant Codes of Practice for managing the risk of falls in the workplace.

Hazard identification and risk assessment are critical steps before any work begins. This section provides a structured process for recognising hazards on surfaces such as roofs, scaffolds, and ladders, performing site-specific risk assessments, and determining whether permits or additional controls are needed for high-risk activities.

Once risks are assessed, the hierarchy of control must be applied. This section introduces the control hierarchy from eliminating the need to work at height, through substitution and engineering controls, to administrative practices and PPE. You’ll learn how to apply each level appropriately depending on the work environment.

Fall prevention, restraint, and arrest systems form the core of safe height work. This section explains the differences between these methods, guides you in selecting the right system for the job, and provides demonstrations of proper setup and use to prevent or mitigate falls.

Inspecting fall protection equipment before and after use is a vital routine. This section details how to assess the condition of harnesses, connectors, lanyards, and lifelines, how to recognise damage or deterioration, and how to properly document inspections to meet compliance requirements.

Wearing a fall arrest harness correctly is essential to safety. You will learn how to identify the parts of a harness, perform a step-by-step fitting procedure, and verify that the harness is adjusted correctly for both comfort and function.

Anchor points are a critical element of fall arrest systems. This section provides guidance on selecting appropriate temporary or permanent anchor systems, understanding load ratings, and rigging techniques to ensure secure and compliant attachment.

Self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) are increasingly used for their mobility and safety benefits. This section explores how SRLs function, when they should be used, and how to inspect, test, and maintain them as part of a safe system of work.

Understanding suspension trauma is essential for rescue preparedness. This section explains the effects of prolonged suspension in a harness, how to recognise symptoms, and how to apply trauma-relief measures while preparing for prompt rescue.

Roof access requires careful planning and assessment. You’ll learn how to evaluate roof surface stability, identify fragile or sloped areas, and move safely across roofs without overloading structural elements or exposing yourself to unnecessary risk.

Temporary safety systems provide protection where permanent ones are not available. This section examines the correct use of temporary edge protection, guardrails, static lines, and temporary anchor points to safeguard roof workers during short-term tasks.

Safe access equipment must be chosen and used correctly. This section covers how to select appropriate ladders, EWP, or scaffolds, how to set them up safely, and how to assess the suitability of access methods based on height, duration, and task complexity.

Dropped objects present a major risk to workers below. You’ll learn strategies for securing tools, preventing material falls, and organising storage and retrieval at height to maintain a safe work environment for everyone on site.

In the event of a fall or emergency, rapid response is crucial. This section provides guidance on developing an emergency plan, selecting appropriate rescue equipment, and assigning roles and responsibilities to ensure fast, coordinated action.

Communication and supervision are essential for managing high-risk activities. You’ll learn how to maintain radio or visual contact, perform supervisory checks before and during work, and document safety procedures and observations accurately.

Finally, height safety should not be seen as a one-time action—it must be integrated into daily routines. This section shows you how to embed safety into toolbox talks, encourage peer accountability, and reinforce a proactive safety culture across the work team.

By the end of this course, you will be well-equipped to work safely at heights, make informed decisions about risk controls, and contribute to a safer, more compliant, and efficient worksite.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Working at Heights

• Definition of working at heights under WHS regulations
• Overview of height-related risks and injury statistics in Australia
• Types of tasks and industries commonly involved in height work

2. Height Safety Legislation and Standards

• WHS Act and Regulation obligations for PCBUs and workers
• AS/NZS 1891: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices
• Codes of Practice for managing the risk of falls at workplaces

3. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

• Recognising hazards on roofs, scaffolds, ladders, and platforms
• How to perform a risk assessment step-by-step
• Identifying high-risk work and necessary permits

4. Hierarchy of Control Measures for Working at Heights

• Elimination of need to work at height
• Substitution, isolation, and engineering controls
• Administrative controls and use of PPE

5. Fall Prevention, Restraint, and Arrest Techniques

• Difference between fall prevention, fall restraint, and fall arrest
• When to use each method based on work conditions
• Demonstrate correct setup and use for each technique

6. Pre-Use and Post-Use Inspection of Fall Protection Equipment

• Inspecting harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and lifelines
• Identifying wear, corrosion, and damaged components
• Documentation and tagging requirements for inspection

7. Correct Fitting of a Fall Arrest Harness

• Identifying parts of the harness and connection points
• Step-by-step harness fitting procedure
• Verifying proper adjustment and comfort

8. Anchorage Systems and Rigging Methods

• Understanding types of anchor points
• Anchor point selection and load rating requirements
• Correct rigging of anchorage slings and connectors

9. Using Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

• Function and application of SRLs in fall arrest systems
• Advantages and limitations of SRLs
• Inspection, testing, and maintenance of SRLs

10. Recognising and Responding to Suspension Trauma

• Physiological effects of prolonged suspension in a harness
• Signs and symptoms of suspension trauma
• Rescue procedures and use of trauma relief straps

11. Roof Access and Surface Load Considerations

• Assessing roof surface integrity and weight limitations
• Recognising brittle, sloped, or fragile surfaces
• Safe movement and load distribution on roof areas

12. Installing Temporary Roof Safety Systems

• Types of temporary edge protection and guardrails
• Use of static lines and temporary lifelines
• Installation procedures and system limitations

13. Selection and Use of Ladders and Elevated Work Platforms

• Choosing appropriate access equipment
• Safe ladder placement, angle, and securing techniques
• When to use scaffolds, EWP, or scissor lifts

14. Safe Use of Tools and Materials at Heights

• Securing tools using tool lanyards and holders
• Preventing dropped objects from causing injury
• Managing material storage and retrieval safely

15. Emergency Planning and Rescue Procedures

• Developing a height work emergency response plan
• Rescue equipment types
• Roles and responsibilities during an emergency

16. Communication and Supervision During Height Work

• Establishing visual or radio contact
• Supervisory checks before and during height tasks
• Documenting work activities and safety procedures

17. Integrating Height Safety into Daily Work Practices

• Embedding safety checks into routine job activities
• Reinforcing height safety during pre-starts and toolbox talks
• Encouraging personal accountability and peer support in high-risk zones

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.