Working at Heights

FEM statistics show that for the past four years, 15% of all fatalities (an average of 11 per year) were caused by falls from various heights. This is why Construction Regulations require a fall protection plan to be developed to manage fall risk on a project. In terms of the Construction Regulations, a fall protection plan is a documented plan, which includes and provides for:

(a) All risks relating to working from a fall risk position, considering the nature of work undertaken.

(b) The procedures and methods to be applied in order to eliminate the risk of falling.

(c) A rescue plan and procedures.

In South Africa, Working at Heights is considered to occur at any place where there is a fall risk position, meaning any potential exposure to falling either from, off or into an unprotected edge. In this high-risk environment where the chance of injury or death is probable, it is vital that employees are properly trained.

Using a recognised training provider for Fall Arrest and Fall Protection training is essential. This ensures that your training: is accredited, can be included in your B-BBEE spend and that the training provider is approved by the relevant SETA.  Therefore, you will be trained on the prescribed skills that you need in order to develop a fall protection plan and perform fall arrest techniques when working at heights. Once you have successfully completed the training, you will be deemed competent to perform these tasks.

However, your competency for Working at Heights doesn’t end there. Being associated with a professional body, in this case, the Institute for Working at Heights (IWH), ensures good corporate governance practices and compliance monitoring in line with an agreed Code of Conduct and/or Ethics – essentially ensuring that best practices are adhered to within the Working at Heights industry.

Having employees that are registered with a professional body ensures that their skills remain relevant. This is necessary because equipment becomes outdated, legislation changes, the person may not have practised the specific skill for a period and the person may have become complacent. Being a professionally registered person ensures the person remains updated on a regular basis to keep performing the job at hand safely and with due diligence.

All persons that are trained in accordance with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) standards by an accredited training provider can apply for membership of the IWH professional body and if found to be competent, such persons will be awarded a designation title – Fall Protection Planner or Fall Arrest rescue coordinator, technician or supervisor and become registered practitioners of the Institute. Obtaining a professional designation “Means a title or status conferred by a Professional Body in recognition of a person’s expertise and right to practise in an occupational field”. This ‘License to Operate’ or Permit to Operate means that the person has been found competent, medically and is bound by a Code of Conduct that is administered by the IWH.

The accredited training course will never expire; however, designations are only valid for 3 years, (except for the Mobile Elevating Work Platforms permit which is valid for 2 years), and are subject to meeting the requirements of the IWH’s professional body’s CPD policy. Following best practices and having your employees attend accredited training ensures that you will be compliant in terms of the general safety regulations and the Construction Regulations when working on site. Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal can facilitate this training for you to ensure your employees remain compliant.

Heidi Kilian

Head: Training Academy

References

Strat Training. (2020). Working at Heights Training Course [online]. Available from: https://strattraining.co.za/course-category/working-at-heights/.  [accessed: 6/1/2023]

Institute for Working at Heights. (2019). Designations [online]. Available from: https://ifwh.co.za/designations/. [accessed:6/1/2023]