Developing mandatory fall protection training for workers working at heights was one of the priority recommendations in a report issued in December 2010 by the Expert Advisory Panel on Occupational Health and Safety.
A workplace training standard has been created by the MOL to prevent falls and improve safety for workers who work at heights.
The training standard initially will be voluntary and will apply to workplaces in the construction sector, as well as to construction activity in other workplaces.
The training standard is expected to become mandatory by the summer of 2014 and will later be expanded to all sectors.
Key highlights of the Working at Heights Training Program Standard include:
- Module 1: Basic Theory - foundational knowledge for workers
- Module 2: Practical Equipment - applied knowledge and hands-on demonstration of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Delivery Requirements - modes of delivery including maximum class size
- Timing - Baseline duration of the training for both modules (3 and 3.5 hours respectively)
- List of required equipment to be used during Module 2: Practical Equipment
- Evaluation methods of learners
- Valid for a period of three years after successful completion of the training
How to comply with this standard
Regulatory amendments would be required to make the Working at Heights Training Program Standard mandatory. The MOL anticipates that consultations on a regulatory proposal will take place in early 2014 and employers will need to ensure that their workers are trained to the standard.
We will be providing further information when it is made available.
Read more at the following link:New working at Heights MOL Standard |
