New course to reduce fatal falls when Working at Height

A new course aims to cut the number of workers killed and injured when working at height.

Health and Safety consultants Prestige Safety Services has developed the country’s first fully accredited entry level training in working at height and are working in partnership with Chamber Skills Solutions to deliver this course to South Yorkshire businesses.

It’s the first time standardised training for working at height has been offered in the UK. And Prestige Safety Services hopes it will reduce the number of workplace fatalities and injuries in caused by falls from a height.

Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive for 2018/19 have shown most people killed at work were working at height. Of the 147 workers who died at work in 2019/18, 40 fell from a height.

The QA Level 2 Award in Working at Height has been developed with awards body Qualsafe. It gives workers and employers a greater awareness of the hazards and risks of working at height. They also learn how to create a safe working environment and develop a rescue plan.

It is particularly useful for construction workers who use scaffold, ladders, and steps. Others who will benefit include maintenance engineers, dock side workers, electricians, and school caretakers.

Real equipment, such as ladders and steps, is used in the training to show the reality of working at height.

Among the topics covered during the three-hour course are:

• Safe working practices when working at height
• How to maintain a safe workplace
• How to develop a rescue plan
• Regulations and legal obligations surrounding working at height
• The consequences of non-compliance with the regulations and the law
• The procedures when reporting faulty equipment.

Prestige Safety Services are based in Doncaster where they deliver their courses. Or the course can be delivered at your preferred premises or location.

Alex Hailstone, Partner at Prestige Safety Services, said: “We hope by developing this course we can help reduce this number of deaths and injuries which happen when working from a height.

“Previously there was no nationally recognised training available — training was being delivered in-house and was not standardised. This course sets a new level for safety when working at height therefore putting less lives at risk”.

So far 50 people have taken the course, and 90% of them have rated the course as excellent. Learners have praised the delivery of the course and have been impressed with the use of work at height equipment in teaching.

For more information about the course contact Chamber Skills Solutions on 01709 386200 or email [email protected]

Upcoming dates:

30 September | 9am – 12 noon | Book now >

22 November | 9am – 12 noon | Book now >

9 December | 1pm – 4pm | Book now >