Working at Height Essentials (Practical)

This product is for personnel across the energy sector, with an existing theoretical understanding and awareness of Working at Height, associated hazards and guidance, who require the corresponding practical skills necessary for working at height.

The aim of the Working at Height Essentials (Practical) standard is to follow on from existing theoretical knowledge, introduce learners practically to varying equipment/PPE and the necessary practical skills required for inspection and use of equipment and PPE and safe ascent to and decent from a height.

Learners will be able to perform:

a) Pre work planning

b) Inspection and donning of an appropriate harness

c) Correct pre use checks and use of fall prevention and arrest equipment, including

restraint lanyards and work positioning lanyards

d) Ascent and decent of ladders, ladder transfers and working on platforms

e) Attachment to structural anchor points, work positioning and attachment points

Learners must hold a valid OPITO Approved Working at Height Essentials (Theory) certificate

Training and/or assessment activities contained within this Standard may include physically demanding and potentially stressful elements. All personnel who participate in such activities must be capable of participating fully.

Therefore, OPITO-approved training centres are required, to ensure that prior to participating in practical exercises the learner undergoes medical screening by completing an appropriate medical screening form provided by the OPITO-approved centre

The OPITO-approved Centre shall keep a record of the learner’s declaration of fitness in accordance with their document control policy(s) or procedures.

This information, along with summary details of the type of physical activities the learner will be asked to perform, will be given to learners by the OPITO-approved Centre and, if applicable, to their sponsoring company as part of the joining instructions. The responsibility for declaring any current or pre-existing medical conditions that could have adverse effects to the individual’s state of health while undertaking the training and/or assessment activities lies with the learner and/or company sponsoring the learner.

Where doubt exists regarding the fitness of any learner, the OPITO-approved Centre should direct the individual to consult a medical officer familiar with the nature and extent of the training.

Note: Practical exercises should be designed and delivered solely to meet this standard, and must not place on the learners any demands other than those required to meet the Standard.

To complete the Working at Height Essentials (Practical) Standard the mandatory unit must be achieved.

4 hours

The validity of the OPITO Working at Height Essentials (Practical) certificate is three years.

Please note: If the expiry date on the learners previous certificate is within 3 months prior of the course enrolment date then the date of the new certificate should correspond with the expiry date of the existing/previous certificate unless stated otherwise by the Duty Holder or Asset Owner or Operator.