What is working at heights training course?
Working at heights poses a lot of challenges and life-threatening risks that's why a lot of preparation and training must be done to ensure the safety of all workers on the field. Important topics that need to be tackled include fall protection, equipment handling (for ladders, lifts, scaffolds, etc.), harnessing, and more. Your crew needs to understand everything from inspection to maintenance to ensure safe and smooth work.
Different equipment have different specifications for hazards and safety checks that's why it's crucial to learn about all the tools relevant to your employees' scope. For example, ladders have different types while harnesses have complex suspension systems your workers need to be familiar with. Personal protective equipment (PPEs) is also so important to learn about.
What do you need to work at heights?
We've mentioned that working at heights training is essential to anyone even remotely interested in jobs that work at heights. If your company doesn't already provide specific training there are massive libraries of working at heights courses online that your teams can take on their own time. Certification is also important to have at a high-risk job. Working with heights certificates are available from most accredited training courses, even online ones.
Preventing fall hazards with working at heights training
Every year, workers get seriously injured or die due to construction, manufacturing, and maintenance-related falls. According to Injury Facts, there were 880 workers who died from falls in 2019 alone. Around 244,000 were injured to the point that they needed to take days off from work. Because of such high risks, it is necessary for employers to comply with OSHA regulations, provide their workers with effective working at heights training, and ensure risk assessments and rescue plans are in place. Training serves as a lifeline for your teams that will help them better understand specific topics like fall arrest systems, fall containment, scaffolding, aerial lifts, and personal protective equipment maintenance. It also allows them to learn more about potential injuries that may occur due to the lack of fall hazard management. To help you train your team, we’ve put together a list of the most comprehensive and up-to-date working at heights training courses.