Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:07 PM AWST
23/07/2026 1:07 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Work safely at heights
Work safely at heights
Unit of competency
National Code
CPCCCM2012
CPCCCM2012
State Code
OCQ90
OCQ90
TGA Status
Current
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
Approved
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
01/06/2021
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
01/06/2021
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to work safely on construction sites where the worker has the potential to fall from one level to another. This unit of competency does not cover the erection of scaffold or work platforms, but it does include identifying and reporting common faults with scaffold or work platform systems.Work at heights is undertaken in a range of construction work, including new construction, renovation, refurbishment and maintenance. This unit also applies to workers in other industries who need to control the two separate risks associated with people and objects falling from heights.Completion of the general construction induction training program, specified in the Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Construction Work, is required by anyone carrying out construction work. Achievement of CPCWHS1001Prepare to work safely in the construction industry meets this requirement.Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency in some states and territories. For further information, check with the relevant regulatory authority.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify task requirements.
- 1.1 Read work order and associated drawings and consult with relevant persons to determine the proposed work-at-heights task, including where and how work is to be carried out, and the equipment or plant to be used.
- 1.2 Participate in the development of the safe work method statement (SWMS) for the specified task.
- 1.3 Select appropriate work-at-heights control measures including required fall restraint devices and/or fall arrest devices in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements.
- 1.4 Determine location of anchor points for harness-based work to safely access required work area.
- 1.5 Review completed SWMS and clarify issues with relevant persons.
2 Access and assess work area.
- 2.1 Select personal protective equipment (PPE), check for serviceability and report problems.
- 2.2 Identify unstable, fragile or brittle work surfaces and implement control measures to prevent a fall from height.
- 2.3 Check fall protection equipment, including required fall restraint and fall arrest devices to ensure serviceability and report problems.
- 2.4 Identify, select and install signage and barricade equipment in accordance with SWMS or relevant safe work procedure.
- 2.5 Install/fit fall protection equipment, including fall restraint devices and fall arrest devices as appropriate, within the limitations of licensing requirements, level of authority and SWMS.
- 2.6 Ensure required fall protection, scaffold and barriers have been adequately installed and where necessary certified, in accordance with regulatory and workplace requirements.
- 2.7 Connect to fall protection equipment, including temporary anchor points, without being exposed to a risk of a fall from height.
- 2.8 Consult with relevant persons to confirm fall protection equipment and safety systems are correctly fitted, adjusted and installed, and are appropriate to the task.
- 2.9 Access work area safely and move and place tools, equipment and materials using methods that eliminate or minimise the risk of falling objects.
3 Conduct work tasks.
- 3.1 Undertake work tasks in compliance with the SWMS and workplace requirements.
- 3.2 Traverse between anchor points while remaining connected to the fall prevention system and protected from a risk of a fall from height.
- 3.3 Use PPE appropriate to the task and in accordance with manufacturer requirements.
- 3.4 Maintain communication with relevant persons while working at height.
- 3.5 Keep fall protection equipment in place and adjust to allow for movement during work.
- 3.6 Keep fall prevention equipment adjusted to prevent falling off or through a structure using the restraint technique.
- 3.7 Keep scaffold/work platform components and fall barriers in place during work.
- 3.8 Monitor control measures and consult with relevant persons to respond to changing work practices or site conditions.
- 3.9 Exit from work area removing tools and materials in compliance with worksite procedures, safety and environmental requirements.
No information
No information
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WE987 | CPCCCM2010B | Work safely at heights | Unit of competency |