Working at heights is no easy job. You constantly have to monitor the equipment being used, as well as the uniforms and safety measures taken by the team.
Even the slightest slip can lead to major accidents or even death. In Australia, there were 29 fatal injuries from falling from heights while working in 2023.
If you’re training to be an employee working at heights, then you need to choose a provider or training academy that will give you the right skill set.
While there are numerous such organisations, only a few are credible enough. This think piece will help you understand how to choose the best working at heights training provider!
1. Look For Registered Organisations
The first thing you must do while looking up organisations is check how many of them are registered with the government. In Australia, for example, the body that certifies these organisations is the Working At Heights Association (WAHA).
A registered training organisation or RTO will also be regulated by other bodies, such as the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
If any training provider is nationally accredited, you can be sure that their services will be top-notch. Moreover, they’ll comply with the rules and regulations set up by the local and national authorities.
2. See Their Training Venues
When you’re training to be a worker who deals with heights, you need to be exposed to different areas first. An organisation that conducts only indoor training sessions and mostly relies on theory won’t be a good choice.
You need to go out and receive hands-on practical training sessions, starting from small heights and then gradually moving on to greater ones.
Choose ones with training venues at international levels where learners can experience lattice towers, cat ladders, structural anchor points, and I-beams, to name a few. These will give you the exposure you need.
3. Review The Course Content
Any Working At Heights course will give you a comprehensive manual or booklet that will contain the course content.
Go through this booklet well and see that it covers all the essential topics. The course should contain a mix of theory, practical, and periodic examinations to test every learner’s skill.
Some of the main things you need to check are information on fall protection systems, hazard identifications, proper usage of equipment, and other emergency procedures. The training materials should also be up-to-date with the latest norms and guidelines.
4. Check How Well Things Are Taught
Since working at heights can be potentially dangerous, the training needs to be as comprehensive as possible. Even if the course outline is well-rounded, the way that learners are being trained should be more than just a box-ticking exercise.
Workers should get the opportunity to properly put theory into practice. Even though it may seem that putting on a harness or tying safety ropes is easy enough, they are of immense importance in real-life situations.
In New South Wales, for example, it’s mandatory for induction training to continue for at least 6 hours, excluding breaks.
5. See Their Competency Management
Needless to say, there will be a bunch of different people in the training course who will have different competencies and abilities.
A good training provider understands that not everyone will always be on the same page. This is why one-on-one or personalised training sessions become so important.
For example, if there’s a particular area that you’re not able to understand or are afraid of, then the training provider should give you enough time and resources so that you can keep up with the others. Having such processes in place ensures that nobody is denied equal treatment.
6. Look For Local Providers
While this doesn’t have to be a necessity, local providers are often the best organisations when it comes to training.
Many of these agencies have been shut down or are facing financial problems after the pandemic. Even though most of them are well-certified and have qualified professionals, enthusiastic learners prefer going to bigger training services.
Moreover, it’ll be easier for you to commute to your local training centre and reschedule timings according to your preferences. Remember, smaller companies now need our support more than ever.
Conclusion
These are some of the many things you must keep in mind before choosing the right training provider. Based on your budget and other specifics, look up some leads on the internet or ask people around you!