Working at Height: Essential Safety Training

Work Safely at Every Level

Falls from height remain one of the most serious workplace hazards, yet many workers lack the knowledge and skills to work safely at elevation. This comprehensive online course equips you with the expertise to identify risks, select appropriate equipment, and implement proven safety procedures, whether you're working on ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, or other elevated platforms. Designed for workers, operators, supervisors, and managers, this training ensures you and your team return home safely every day.

Why This Course Matters

Working at height presents complex, multi-layered hazards that demand more than basic awareness, they require practical knowledge of equipment, control measures, and emergency procedures. This course is grounded in international legislation and standards, providing both theoretical understanding and practical competence.

You'll learn to

  • Assess height-related hazards: Recognise risks across different work environments and platforms
  • Select appropriate equipment: Understand when and how to use ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, cradles, and fall protection systems
  • Plan safe work methods: Implement hierarchy of controls from elimination through PPE
  • Inspect and maintain equipment: Ensure fall arrest systems, harnesses, and access equipment are safe to use
  • Respond to emergencies: Execute rescue procedures confidently and effectively
  • Comply with legislation: Meet UK and international work-at-height requirements
  • Protect your team: Build a safety culture where height-related incidents are prevented

Whether you're a construction worker, maintenance technician, supervisor, or manager, this training is essential.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is designed for anyone involved in work at height:

  • Construction & Maintenance Workers: Carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and trades working on elevated structures
  • Operators & Technicians: Users of MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms), cradles, and specialized access equipment
  • Supervisors & Managers: Responsible for planning, organizing, and overseeing work at height
  • Site Managers & Safety Officers: Ensuring compliance and managing height-related risks
  • Facilities & Building Maintenance Teams: Roof work, facade maintenance, and building services
  • Rope Access Professionals: Those using work positioning and rope access techniques#
  • New Starters & Career Changers: Anyone entering roles involving elevated work

This course is mandatory for organisations operating in construction, facilities management, utilities, and similar high-risk sectors.

What you'll learn

Module 1: Work at Height Policy & Legislation

Understand the regulatory framework and organizational requirements:

  • Mandatory height thresholds for fall protection
  • Guardrail system standards and specifications
  • Work restraint and personal fall arrest system requirements
  • UK and international legislative obligations
  • Organisational policies and procedures

Module 2: Risk Assessment & Control Hierarchy

Master the systematic approach to managing height hazards:

  • Hazard identification and risk assessment
  • Elimination strategies (designing out height work)
  • Reduction and substitution methods
  • Isolation and engineering controls
  • Administrative controls and PPE selection
  • The hierarchy of control in practice

 

Module 3: Collective & Personal Fall Prevention

Learn the full range of protective measures and equipment:

Collective prevention:

  • Fixed platforms and permanent structures
  • Roof work safety systems
  • Scaffolding and guardrail systems
  • MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)
  • Cradles and suspended platforms

Collective Arrest

  • Safety nets and edge protection
  • Safety mats and barriers

Personal Prevention & Arrest:

  • Work restraint systems
  • Rope access and work positioning
  • Full body harnesses and lanyards
  • Self-retracting lifelines (SRL)
  • Carabiners and snap hooks
  • Ladder types and safety systems

Module 4: Equipment Inspection & Pre-Use Checks

Develop hands-on competence with critical safety procedures:

  • Safety harness and lanyard inspection
  • SRL (Self-Retracting Lifeline) inspection
  • Fixed ladder and vertical lifeline checks
  • Fall arrest system verification
  • Identifying defects and removing unsafe equipment

Module 5: Safe Work Procedures at Height

Master practical techniques for different work scenarios:

  • Climbing vertical ladders with SRL, double-leg lanyard, or vertical lifeline
  • Raising personnel by work basket
  • Working on monkey boards, stabbing boards, and irregular structures
  • Confined space entry and exit procedures
  • Working below ground level safely

Module 6: Rescue & Emergency Procedures

Be prepared to respond when incidents occur:

  • Self-rescue techniques
  • Rescue using rollgliss kits
  • Rescue positioning devices
  • Emergency communication and response protocols
  • Post-rescue procedures and incident reporting

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand work-at-height policies and legislation
  • Recognise hazards associated with height work and implement control measures
  • Identify risks specific to ladders, scaffolds, MEWPs, cradles, and other access equipment
  • Apply the hierarchy of controls to eliminate or reduce height-related risks
  • Select and use appropriate fall protection equipment for different activities
  • Inspect and maintain fall arrest systems, harnesses, and access equipment
  • Plan and organise safe work at height
  • Execute rescue procedures and respond to emergencies
  • Comply with UK and international work-at-height legislation
  • Demonstrate practical competence in height safety procedures

Your Qualification

Upon successful completion of this online course, you will receive:

Certificate of Working at Height  

Awarded by Bureau Veritas Business School, this certificate demonstrates your competence in identifying hazards, selecting equipment, and implementing safe work procedures when working at height. Recognised by employers, contractors, and regulatory authorities across the UK and internationally.

Why Choose Bureau Veritas?

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers all aspects of work at height, from ladders to MEWPs to rope access
  • Practical Focus: Real-world scenarios, equipment inspection procedures, and rescue techniques
  • Legislation-Based: Aligned with UK and international work-at-height standards and requirements
  • Flexible Learning: Study at your own pace, access 24/7 from any device
  • Expert content: Developed by occupational health and safety professionals with field experience
  • Recognised Certification: Valued by contractors, employers, and regulatory bodies
  • Affordable Investment: Protect your team and your organization at a competitive price