Important factors to consider in choosing a Working at Height training provider:

 

“In the midst of an ordinary training day, I try to remind myself that I am preparing for the extraordinary.” - Shalane Flanagan

 

Working at heights is globally regarded as one of the highest risk activities on any site whether it be maintenance, installation, inspection or performing general construction work.  By preparing and fitting your fall arrest kit (with associated equipment / systems) you are preparing for a day that involves continuously reminding yourself that any small mistake can cost you your life.  How do you prepare for such a situation daily? Through training.

As working at heights involves various factors that needs to be considered during the risk assessment process, such as anchor point selection, suitability of fall arrest or fall prevention equipment, fall clearance and possibly the worst consideration: Rescue, the user requires not only a theoretical and “quick” approach through below standard training but a practical and hands-on training environment where specialists provide detailed content and practical application so as to ensure the competency of the learner after assessments have been completed.

What are the factors that contribute to a training provider succeeding in providing such technical and high-risk work?  They will include, but are in no way limited to:

Training as per the nationally approved unit standard for that competency and this will include:

Accreditation through a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) with which these unit standards are quality assured and will include:

Training material aligned to the outcomes of the specific unit standard.

Detailed Quality Management System (QMS) that ensures the standard of training provided to the learner from start to finish.

Certified and experienced assessors and moderators with relevant industry experience (which is essential in Working at Heights) due to the nature of the work.

 

 

Preferably membership to a Professional Body (Institute for Work at Height, IWH) that assists and plays a major role in the training and certification of the industry through various supporting functions which includes:

Quality Assurance of Training providers and their processes.

Adherence to the SETA requirements through external moderation on the provider and the learners certified (external moderation by the SETA and verification thereof).

“Practice what you preach” through annual audits to ensure continuous compliance by the providers to the standards set out during membership as to provide the industry with a high standard of training, assessment, and moderation.

 

 

Training venue that is of an international level where learners will be exposed to:

Various structures they will possibly access in their daily work when on site e.g. lattice towers, cat ladders, structural anchor points, certified anchor points, I-beams, etc.

A range of fall arrest and fall prevention systems that will provide the learner with a working knowledge of what is available in the industry when exposed to various high risk situations on site and the ability to make an informed and competent choice prior to accessing the height.

Rescue techniques and systems that will allow for various rescues to be performed on site with the aim of ensuring a well-prepared work force but also a competent rescue team / personnel.

 

Instructors that have international exposure through training whereby they can provide international best practices not only through the techniques used when accessing and working at heights but during consulting with clients and providing solutions that will cater for the unique situations encountered.

 

A provider that strives for the safety of the client and his personnel through everything they do by putting the CLIENT’S SAFETY 1st!