Develop practical working at height training knowledge for safer planning, fall prevention, equipment selection, inspections and emergency readiness.
Intermediate
Falls from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs and fragile surfaces remain among the most serious hazards in construction and maintenance work. Poor access planning, unsuitable equipment, weak inspections or the absence of an effective rescue plan can lead to severe injury, project disruption, enforcement action and significant financial loss. This working at height training develops the knowledge needed to identify these risks and select safer methods before work begins.
Learners examine how to avoid unnecessary work at height, apply the hierarchy of controls, complete suitable risk assessments and choose between collective protection, fall restraint and fall arrest systems. The course also addresses equipment inspections, Permit-to-Work controls, roof and ladder safety, dropped-object prevention, emergency rescue arrangements and incident investigation.
Working at height training explains how elevated work should be planned, controlled and monitored when a person could be injured by a fall. This includes work on roofs, ladders, scaffolds and platforms, as well as tasks near openings, edges, excavations or fragile surfaces.
The course helps workers and supervisors understand:
In Great Britain, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 require elevated work to be properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. Other countries apply different legal thresholds and equipment requirements, so organisations must use this training alongside local legislation, manufacturer instructions and site procedures.
This course is suitable for:
The course follows the full work-at-height control process, from deciding whether the task can be completed from ground level to selecting equipment and preparing for emergencies.
Learners study:
The course also explains why rescue arrangements must be prepared before work starts. A rescue plan should identify how a suspended or injured worker will be reached and recovered promptly, without relying solely on emergency services or improvised action.
Work near unprotected edges, fragile roofs, ladders and openings can expose workers to serious fall risks. Effective control depends on planning the task, selecting suitable equipment and preventing exposure wherever reasonably practicable.
A ladder may be unsuitable for a long-duration task, while a fall-arrest system may create additional clearance and rescue requirements. Equipment must be selected according to the task, location, duration, working conditions and potential fall distance.
Organisations may be required to assess hazards, provide suitable equipment, ensure workers are competent and maintain inspection or training records. OSHA requires construction workers exposed to fall hazards to receive training in recognising and reducing those hazards.
A worker suspended in a harness may require urgent recovery. Rescue equipment, trained personnel, access arrangements and communication procedures should therefore be confirmed before the activity starts.
A fall, near miss or dropped-object incident can stop work, damage equipment, delay schedules and trigger investigations. Missing inspection records, unclear permits and weak supervision can also make it difficult to demonstrate that the activity was adequately controlled.
This course gives construction and maintenance teams a practical framework for planning safer elevated work, selecting suitable controls and responding effectively when conditions change. Learners responsible for wider site risks can also develop their knowledge through GSA’s Construction Site Safety & Legal Compliance course.