Working at Height Awareness
Understand the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and how to plan, select and use safe access equipment.
About this course
Falls from height remain one of the biggest causes of workplace death and serious injury in the UK construction and industrial sectors. This course gives operatives and supervisors a practical awareness of the risks involved in working at height and the standards expected on site.
You will learn what the law requires, how to plan and assess work at height, and how to use common equipment such as scaffolds, mobile towers, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and ladders safely.
The course runs entirely in your browser. You can stop at any point and pick up where you left off, and once you pass the final assessment you can download a PDF certificate straight away.
Who it's for
- Operatives who use ladders, towers or MEWPs
- Roofers, cladders and installers
- Supervisors planning work at height
- Anyone working near unprotected edges or openings
Snippets from the course
Two short extracts taken straight from the course material, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Step 1: Avoid
The first question to ask is whether the work at height can be avoided altogether. Examples include:
Pre-use checks
Before using a MEWP, the operator should carry out pre-use checks, including:
What's covered
Welcome and introduction
- Welcome to Working at Height Awareness
- Who this course is for
- What the course covers
- How the assessments work
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 and duties
- What counts as work at height
- Duties of employers and those in control of work
- Duties of workers
- The hierarchy of control in WAHR
Assessing and planning work at height (avoid, prevent, minimise)
- Why planning matters
- Step 1: Avoid
- Step 2: Prevent
- Step 3: Minimise
Scaffolds, towers and platforms
- Types of scaffold
- Scaffold inspection requirements
- Recognising an incomplete or unsafe scaffold
- Mobile access towers
MEWPs and podium steps
- What is a MEWP
- Pre-use checks
- Safe use of a MEWP
- Trapping and crush hazards
Ladders and stepladders (1-in-4 rule, short duration low risk use)
- When ladders are an acceptable option
- The 1-in-4 rule
- Securing and positioning a ladder
- Safe use while on the ladder
Edge protection, roofwork, falling objects and rescue planning
- Edge protection basics
- Roofwork hazards
- Working near fragile surfaces
- Preventing falling objects
Summary and putting it into practice
- Key points recap
- Before you start any task at height
- Everyday good practice
- What to do if things go wrong
Final assessment
A longer multiple-choice assessment covering every module. Score 80% or more and your PDF certificate is issued immediately. You can retake it as many times as you need.
Start Working at Height Awareness now
8 modules, a test after each one and a final assessment — all in your browser, all saved as you go.
You'll be asked to sign in or create a free account first, then pay £29.99 (includes VAT at 20%) to unlock the course. Your progress and certificate are saved to your account.