Working at Heights
Falls from height are the single biggest cause of accidental death on South African construction sites. Equip your team with the knowledge, skills and legal authority to work at height safely — with this CETA-accredited Working at Heights course from SACTS Cape Town
DESCRIPTION
Unit Standard (SAQA Reg. No 229998)
Working at height means working in a place where a person could fall from one level to another. This can be above or below ground level. It does not include slipping, tripping or falling at the same level. Falls from working with ladders and scaffolding are the single biggest cause of workplace deaths, these falls can stop the working process which means loss of time and work production.The risks associated with working at height must be identified and controlled effectively, prior to any work at height starting. Too many falls from height are caused by a failure to plan and organise work properly.
This course will explain simple, practical measures to reduce the risk of workers falling while working at height and compliance with the OSH Act legal requirements.
Successful candidates credited with this unit standard are able to:
- Explain the use and limitations of a limited range of fall arrest equipment and fall arrest plan.
- Inspect, assembling and storing fall arrest equipment.
- Select suitable anchor points.
- Use fall arrest systems with a double lanyard.
- Use pre-installed vertical and horizontal life-lines.
COURSE DURATION: 1 Day
NQF LEVEL: 1
CREDITS: 2
Quality Assured Partner: Construction Education And Training Authority
Description
Learners wishing to acquire the competencies in this course will be, people working at height where there is a risk of injury from a fall. Learners will be involved in performing tasks at height. Qualifying learners are able to follow fall arrest principles to perform work at height safely, under supervision of a qualified supervisor. The area of focus of this course will be;
Use and Limitations of Fall Arrest Equipment and Fall Protection Plans
Understanding Fall Arrest Equipment
Falls from height are the single biggest cause of accidental death and serious injury in the construction industry. This module consequently introduces learners to the full range of fall arrest equipment available — giving them the foundational knowledge required to select, use and understand the limitations of each piece of equipment before working at height.
Types of Fall Arrest Equipment
Furthermore, learners will develop a thorough understanding of the key components of a fall arrest system — including:
- Full body harnesses — correct fitting, adjustment and inspection procedures
- Lanyards — energy-absorbing, double and single lanyards and their specific applications
- Connectors and karabiners — load ratings, locking mechanisms and correct usage
- Self-retracting lifelines — operating principles, limitations and inspection requirements
- Anchor points — types, load ratings and correct selection for different structures and surfaces
- Fall indicators — understanding when equipment has been subjected to a fall arrest load and must be withdrawn from service
Understanding the Fall Protection Plan
In addition, learners will be introduced to the fall protection plan — a legal document required under Construction Regulation 10 before any work at height commences. Consequently, learners will understand the purpose of the fall protection plan, its key components and their responsibilities in implementing it on site.
Limitations of Fall Arrest Equipment
As a result of completing this module, learners will be able to identify the limitations of fall arrest equipment — including swing fall hazards, free fall distance calculations, clearance requirements below the worker and the risk of suspension trauma after a fall arrest event
Inspecting, Assembling and Storing Fall Arrest Equipment
Pre-Use Inspection Procedures
A thorough pre-use inspection is the first line of defence against equipment failure at height. This module therefore equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all fall arrest equipment before every use — identifying signs of wear, damage, corrosion, chemical contamination and previous fall arrest loading that may compromise the equipment’s integrity.
Assembling Fall Arrest Systems
Furthermore, learners will develop the practical skills to correctly assemble a complete fall arrest system — including fitting and adjusting a full body harness, attaching lanyards and connectors, connecting to anchor points and configuring self-retracting lifelines and rope grabs for specific working at height applications.
Storing Fall Arrest Equipment Correctly
In addition, learners will learn how to store fall arrest equipment correctly after use — including cleaning, drying, coiling and hanging equipment in a clean, dry and UV-protected storage environment. As a result, learners will be able to extend the service life of fall arrest equipment and ensure that it is ready for safe use on the next work shift. Furthermore, learners will understand the manufacturer’s recommended service intervals and replacement criteria for all fall arrest equipment components.
Selecting Suitable Anchor Points
Understanding Anchor Point Requirements
An anchor point is the foundation of every fall arrest system — and consequently, selecting an unsuitable anchor point is one of the most common and potentially fatal errors made by workers at height. This module therefore equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to identify, assess and select suitable anchor points for a wide range of working at height applications.
Types of Anchor Points
Furthermore, learners will develop a thorough understanding of the different types of anchor points available — including:
- Structural anchor points — beams, columns, roof trusses and concrete structures
- Temporary anchor devices — roof anchors, beam clamps, deadweight anchors and portable anchor systems
- Horizontal lifeline anchor points — end and intermediate anchor requirements for horizontal lifeline systems
- Vertical lifeline anchor points — overhead anchor requirements for vertical lifeline systems
Assessing Anchor Point Suitability
In addition, learners will learn how to assess the suitability of an anchor point before connecting any fall arrest equipment — including checking the structural integrity of the anchor, verifying the minimum load rating of 15kN per attached worker, and identifying anchor points that are unsuitable due to sharp edges, corrosion, inadequate load rating or incorrect positioning. As a result, learners will be able to select anchor points that provide effective fall protection in all working at height scenarios.
Using Fall Arrest Systems with a Double Lanyard
Understanding the Double Lanyard System
A double lanyard system is the most widely used fall arrest system for work at height on construction sites, roofs and elevated structures. This module consequently equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to use a double lanyard fall arrest system safely and correctly in a wide range of working at height applications.
100% Tie-Off Principle
Furthermore, learners will develop a thorough understanding of the 100% tie-off principle — ensuring that at least one lanyard is always connected to a suitable anchor point whenever the worker is in a position where a fall could occur. In addition, learners will learn how to move safely between anchor points using the double lanyard — clipping the second lanyard to the new anchor point before unclipping the first.
Practical Double Lanyard Operations
As a result of completing this module, learners will be able to use a double lanyard fall arrest system practically and confidently in real working at height scenarios — including working on roofs, scaffolding, elevated platforms and steel structures. Furthermore, learners will understand the clearance requirements below the worker when using energy-absorbing lanyards — ensuring that sufficient clearance exists to arrest a fall before the worker strikes a lower level.
Using Pre-Installed Vertical and Horizontal Lifelines
Understanding Lifeline Systems
Pre-installed vertical and horizontal lifelines are among the most effective collective fall protection systems available for working at height. This module therefore equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to use pre-installed vertical and horizontal lifelines safely and correctly in a wide range of working at height applications.
Using Vertical Lifelines
Furthermore, learners will develop the practical skills to connect to and use a pre-installed vertical lifeline system — including selecting the correct rope grab or fall arrester for the lifeline diameter, connecting the rope grab to the harness dorsal attachment point and using the lifeline correctly when ascending, descending and working at height on ladders, masts and fixed structures.
Using Horizontal Lifelines
In addition, learners will learn how to connect to and use a pre-installed horizontal lifeline system — including understanding the anchor loading implications of a horizontal lifeline, connecting and moving along the lifeline using a lanyard or trolley system, and managing the swing fall hazard when working at the ends of a horizontal lifeline span.
Emergency Procedures and Suspension Trauma
Finally, learners will understand the emergency procedures applicable to a fall arrest event on a vertical or horizontal lifeline system — including the recognition and management of suspension trauma, the correct procedure for raising the alarm and coordinating a rescue, and the steps required to withdraw fall arrest equipment from service after a fall arrest event has occurred.
Entry Level Requirements Into This Programme?
- Certified copy of his/her ID document
- Be medically fit and in possession of a medical certificate, declaring him/her free from a condition that may prevent him/her from working safely at heights.
Learning Assumed To Be In Place And Recognition Of Prior Learning:
- Communication at NQF Level 3 or equivalent
- Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 3 or equivalent
Who Should Attend?
This CETA-accredited Working at Heights course is designed for people working at height where there is a risk of injury from a fall, who are involved in performing tasks at height. It is specifically recommended for:
- General workers — performing activities above two metres where there is a risk of falling from one level to another
- Construction workers — working on roofs, scaffolding, structures and elevated platforms where falls are the single biggest cause of workplace deaths
- Rope access professionals — requiring formal fall arrest certification to work legally and safely on structures, buildings and elevated surfaces
- Structure assemblers — erecting and dismantling steel, timber and prefabricated structures at height
- Maintenance and facilities workers — performing repairs, inspections and servicing on elevated equipment, roofs and building facades
- Painters, plasterers and finishing contractors — working from ladders, scaffolding and elevated platforms on construction and renovation sites
- Telecommunication and electrical technicians — installing and maintaining equipment on masts, towers, rooftops and elevated infrastructure
- Supervisors and team leaders — overseeing workers performing tasks at height and responsible for ensuring compliance with OHS Act legal requirements
- Managers and safety officers — requiring a working knowledge of fall arrest principles, equipment and legal obligations under Construction Regulation 10
