Working at Heights: Fall Protection & Fall Arrest Management

Name: Working at Heights: Fall Protection & Fall Arrest Management
Rating: 4.5 (55 reviews)

Manage work at height safely: the law, risk assessment, fall arrest PPE, platforms, rescue and record keeping

Created byThe Safety Academy

Last updated 10/2026

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What you'll learn

Manage work at height and fall arrest operations so every job is planned, controlled and recorded.
Understand the key laws for working at heights, including the Construction Regulations and compensation for injuries.
Carry out a hazard identification and risk assessment for work at height and build a fall protection plan.
Select, inspect and maintain fall arrest PPE such as harnesses and lanyards.
Plan safe use of platforms and aerial lifts, choose the right workers, and prepare for emergencies and rescue.

Course content

10 sections • 17 lectures • 1h 42m total length

Introduction1:40
The information in this manual has been compiled as a guide only; and has been compiled from resources believed to be reliable and to represent the best current opinion on the subject. No warranty, guarantee or representation is made by SKILLS as to the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any representation contained in this reference material, and SKILLS assumes no responsibility in connection therewith; nor can it be assumed that all acceptable occupational health, safety and environmental control measures are included herein, or that other measures may not be required in particular or exceptional conditions or circumstances. While SKILLS does not undertake to provide a revision service or guarantee accuracy, we shall be pleased to respond to your individual requests for information at any time.

WORKING AT HEIGHTS COURSE At the end of the course the learner will be able to demonstrate an understanding of working at heights, inspecting, caring for and storage of fall arrest equipment, and other PPE and safety, health and environmental principles regarding the safe construction and maintenance of platforms, ladders, scaffolds and walkways in elevated position. SPECIFIC COURSE OUTCOMES This course is partly aligned to the registered SAQA Unit Standard: Monitor, report and make recommendations pertaining to specified requirements in terms of working at heights. Unit Standard ID: 120362 NQF Level: 03 Credits: 4 At the end of the course, the learner will be able to: • Perform work at elevated positions • Complete a risk assessment • Select the correct PPE and maintain and store accordingly • Understand and apply relevant legislation

Introduction and Legislation8:54
Learn the Occupational Health and Safety Act duties for working at heights. Mitigate hazards as far as reasonably practicable before resorting to personal protective equipment, and emphasize training and supervision.
Construction Regulation8:01
Understand construction regulation 2003, its terminology, and the roles of client and principal contractor, plus risk assessment and health and safety plans for working at heights.
Construction Regulation Part 29:57
Principal contractors implement a documented health and safety plan, coordinate contractors, and conduct monthly audits to enforce risk assessments, induction training, and safe work procedures on the site.
Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act8:44

Safety Requirements to Working in Elevated Positions3:42
Identify pre-work safety measures for working at heights, including PPE, fall arrest training, and fall protection plans, perform work-area inspections, and document reports kept for three months to prevent falls.
Rules and Restrictions7:17
Enforce strict rules and restrictions for working at heights, detailing admittance and access restrictions, clear signage, risk assessment, and a competent-person fall protection plan.

Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment5:08
Identify hazards and assess risks through a hazard identification and risk assessment process (HIRA), defining types of hazards, including elevated position injuries, and evaluating probability and severity to control incidents.
HIRA Part 213:43
Identify and classify workplace hazards by type—chemical, physical, mechanical, biological, ergonomic, psychological—and apply controls, MSDS guidance, and PPE to prevent health and safety risks at heights.

Equipment & Being Equipped7:57
Explain the fall protection plan requirements, components of fall arrest and travel restraint equipment, emergency rescue plan, and the inspection, storage, and use of PPE for working at heights.
Selecting and Maintaining PPE8:34
Learn to select and maintain PPE for working at heights, including proper wear, training, pre-use and six-month inspections, dual lanyard use, and storage.

Emergency Management1:25
Identify actions during incidents, apply basic first aid and firefighting, and ensure emergency contact information is available, focusing on scaffolding-related hazards and fall protection.
Basic First Aid and Basic fire fighting Instructions1:36
Place clearly identified portable fire extinguishers near exits, ensure visibility and regulatory compliance, and use appropriate agents (dry chemical for class a, foam for class b, CO2 for electrical fires).

Requirements

No previous experience needed, although it helps if you work with or around work at height.
A computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access.

Description

Working at height is one of the most dangerous jobs in any workplace. One slip, one badly fitted harness or one rushed shortcut can change a life in seconds and stop a whole site. The difference is almost always made by someone who understands the rules, plans the work and makes sure the right fall protection is in place before anyone leaves the ground.

This course gives you that knowledge. You will learn how to manage work at height and fall arrest operations from planning to emergency response.

What you will cover

Legislation for working at heights, including the Construction Regulations and the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act
Safety requirements, rules and restrictions for work in elevated positions
Hazard identification and risk assessment for work at height
Risk management and the fall protection safety plan
Fall arrest equipment: selecting, using and maintaining PPE
Platforms and aerial lifts
Selecting the right employees for work at height
Record keeping
Emergency management, basic first aid and basic fire fighting instructions

Why it matters

When work at height is planned properly, the whole job runs calmer. Everyone knows who may go up, what fall protection they need, which anchor points are safe and which checks must be done first. You protect your team, keep the job moving and have the records to prove it.

Presented by The Safety Academy, a South African occupational health and safety training provider. The legislation sections refer to South African law; the fall protection principles apply on any site.

Who this course is for:

Supervisors, foremen and managers responsible for people who work at height.
Safety officers and contractors managing scaffolding, roofs, ladders, platforms or tall structures.
Anyone who needs to understand fall protection and fall arrest management.

Working at Heights: Fall Protection & Fall Arrest Management

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction1 lecture • 2min

Module 1: Legislation4 lectures • 36min

Module 2: Safety Requirements to Work in Elevated Positions2 lectures • 11min

Module 3: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment2 lectures • 19min

Module 4: Risk Management & Safety Plan1 lecture • 6min

Module 5: Equipment & Being Equipped2 lectures • 17min

Module 6: Platforms & Aerial Lifts1 lecture • 7min

Module 7: Employee Selection1 lecture • 3min

Module 8: Record Keeping1 lecture • 1min

Module 9: Emergency Management2 lectures • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: