Working at Heights Training

The Working at Heights Association (WAHA) defines working at heights as a situation where a worker risks a fall from one level to another that is likely to cause injury to the worker or a colleague.

This means that there is a WHS requirement to ensure you are protected from potential hazards that can happen at heights. These include falling objects, equipment or people. Working at Heights Training also applies in situations where you are working below ground level, such as underground, in trenches, or in another confined space where you may be at risk of falling from one level to another.

Working at heights is a high-risk activity and a leading cause of serious injury in Australia. Working at Heights Training should be completed by any worker who may be exposed to the risk of falling in the course of their work (builders, painters, general construction, mining and oil gas maintenance workers). This can be themselves, colleagues or staff and equipment, which can be a hazard when working at heights. Examples include all kinds of roles and settings, such as working around roofs, fragile surfaces, pits, ladders or elevated platforms.

Refreshing your Working at Heights Training is recommended every two years, and you can complete this Working at Heights Training as a refresher course or, in some locations, do the specific refresher course.

National and state legislation applies to working at height environments. Examples include WHS Acts and Regulations 2021, Managing the Risk of Falls at WorkPlaces Code of Practice (2018). Legislation and Codes are updated regularly. For example, the Risk of Falls Code was updated from 2015 to 2018. It is important to keep up to date with the latest regulatory requirements and rules by attaining a work safely at heights certificate.

Employers have a duty of care to all staff to provide a safe working environment and appropriate equipment, such as a fall prevention device or fall-arrest system. Working at height poses unique challenges, and employers need to ensure proper processes, training, and equipment are available. This is covered as part of the Working at Heights Training Course.

Once you enrol in the Working at Heights course, we will send you any relevant joining instructions, learning materials, and resources. This will also indicate if any particular entry requirements exist. You will, however, need the following:

• Personal effects
• Lunch – for full-day courses
• Personal and Appropriate equipment – Closed-in shoes/working wear/ PPE due to the practical nature of this course

All course equipment, educational materials, and tea/coffee will be provided for you during the course.

Yes, completing a working at heights course is mandatory for anyone who will be performing tasks at elevated levels. This requirement is not just a best practice but a legal obligation under occupational health and safety regulations.

Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) regulations indicate that compliance and duty of care exist where there is a risk of falling from one level to another. So, if your business operations include activities that are conducted at height, work-appropriate training would be required for compliance with regulations such as WHS.

Investing in comprehensive working at heights training not only ensures compliance with legal standards but also fosters a safer work environment, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall productivity.

The successful completion of the Work Safely at Heights Course opens up an array of career opportunities in industries where working at heights is a routine part of the job. Following this training course, you can pursue operations roles or jobs like heights safety supervisor, site manager, maintenance, construction and civil work, mining-related roles, and cleaning roles. This nationally recognised course will give you the qualifications to work across a variety of industries, including energy, oil, gas, mining and renewables, agriculture, construction, warehousing, and infrastructure industries.

Working at heights training may be a common requirement for a wide range of roles across various industries. If you’re in construction, maintenance, or even certain manufacturing positions, you might find yourself frequently on a ladder, scissor lift, scaffolding, or an elevated work platform. Roofers, window cleaners, and tree surgeons specifically face tasks that necessitate working above ground level as part of their daily operations.

Additionally, roles in telecommunications, such as installing or repairing antennas and satellite dishes, also demand working at significant heights. You may be surprised to learn that even those working in a confined space may find themselves at great heights. Ensuring you have the proper training not only fulfils regulatory requirements but also equips you with the knowledge and skills to perform your job safely and efficiently, minimising risks and enhancing overall workplace safety.

Yes, a working at heights refresher course is essential to ensure workers continue to work safely. Staying up-to-date with training is not just a regulatory requirement; it’s a crucial component of maintaining a safe work environment. If you hold a Working at Heights Ticket, taking a refresher course is essential to ensure that your skills and knowledge are current. The Working at Heights refresher course should be completed every two years to ensure you are up-to-date with the best practices and safety systems.

Working in confined spaces or working underground still presents great risks and challenges that require specialised training to ensure you can work safely and in compliance with regulations. This nationally recognised working from heights course focuses on the skills and precautions needed to prevent falls and manage risks associated with elevated workspaces. It may provide useful knowledge to those working in confined spaces and is great for future training.

However, working at heights training doesn’t typically cover the specific dangers posed by confined spaces. If you are working in a confined space, it is important that you complete our Confined Space training to equip yourself with the specific knowledge to work safely in those confined areas.

Confined spaces can be small, restricted, and potentially hazardous areas where atmospheric conditions can change rapidly, increasing the risk of suffocation, entrapment, or exposure to toxic substances. Therefore, to effectively mitigate these risks and protect yourself and your colleagues, it’s crucial to undergo confined space training. This targeted training equips you with the knowledge and skills to safely enter, work in, and exit confined spaces, ensuring you are well-prepared for any unexpected situations.