RIIWHS204E – Work Safely at Heights

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely at heights in the resources and infrastructure industries.

Course Content

The unit presents the following skills and knowledge:

Identify work requirements.

• Obtain, interpret and confirm work requirements.
• Access, interpret and apply documentation required to work safely at heights.
• Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures according to workplace procedures.
• Inspect worksite to determine layout and physical condition, condition of structures and equipment requirements.
• Adhere to legislative requirements.
• Select appropriate plant, tools and equipment for the job, inspect them for serviceability and rectify or report any faults prior to commencement of work activities.
• Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities.
• Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for emergency situations.
• Identify work procedures and instructions.
• Consult with relevant personnel to select materials, tools and equipment required for the work activities.
• Inspect and install fall protection and perimeter protection equipment.
• Identify methods of moving tools and equipment to the work area according to workplace procedures.
• Ensure the safety system has been installed according to workplace procedures.
• Select and install appropriate signs and barricades according to workplace procedures.

Access and install equipment.

• Consult with relevant personnel to ensure anchor fall protection and associated equipment is fitted and adjusted according to workplace procedures.
• Ensure all required equipment is installed according to workplace procedures.
• Access work area for people, tools and equipment according to workplace procedures.
• Locate tools and materials to eliminate or minimise the risk of items being knocked down.
• Perform work at heights.
• Check access from ground to work area and ensure it is safe according to workplace procedures.
• Keep fall equipment in place and adjusted appropriately for movement during work.
• Undertake manual handling of materials and equipment according to workplace procedures.
• Locate materials and equipment ensuring that they are safely secured and distributed according to workplace procedures.
• Check safety system periodically for compliance.
• Monitor risk control measures to ensure that they are effective and appropriate according to workplace procedures.
• Reassess risk control measures, as required, in accordance with workplace procedures and undertake alterations.

Clean up work area.

• Consult with relevant personnel to ensure safety system is dismantled and removed according to workplace procedures.
• Clear work area and dispose of materials.
• Clean and maintain the plant and equipment, inspect for ensure serviceability and rectify or report any faults or issues to relevant personnel.
• Process written maintenance records according to workplace procedures.

Industry Applicability

This unit applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.