Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 3:13 AM 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
CPCCCM2010B
State Code
WE987
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
07/02/2013
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/09/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
05/09/2014
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to work safely on construction sites where the work activity involves working above 1.5 metres from ground level and where fall protection measures are required.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify work area requirements.
  • 1.1 Site of proposed work at heights is identified from relevant information.
  • 1.2 Method of accessing work area is identified.
  • 1.3 Tasks to be completed are identified from work orders and supervisor instructions.
  • 1.4 Fall protection equipment is identified if required by site job workplace health and safety (WHS) analysis and statutory and regulatory requirements.
  • 1.5 Approved methods of moving tools and equipment to work area are identified to minimise potential of falling objects, removal of scaffold components, inappropriate carrying of materials on ladders, and excessive bending or twisting in pass-up situations.
2 Access work area.
  • 2.1 Fall protection equipment where required is correctly fitted, adjusted and anchored.
  • 2.2 Arrangements are made to appropriately install required equipment taking account of all potential hazards.
  • 2.3 Appropriate methods are used to access work area for self, tools and equipment, and materials.
  • 2.4 Tools and materials are placed to eliminate or at least minimise the risk of items being knocked down.
3 Conduct work tasks.
  • 3.1 Work is conducted following workplace approved procedures.
  • 3.2 Fall protection equipment is kept in place and adjusted appropriately to cater for movement during work.
  • 3.3 Scaffold components and fall barriers are kept in place during work.
  • 3.4 Egress from work area is completed following work site supervisor approved methods for self, tools, materials and environmental requirements.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Work at heights includes:
assessment of conditions and hazards
determination of work requirements
identification of equipment defects
inspection of work sites.

Information includes:
diagrams or sketches
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
memos
signage
verbal or written and graphical instructions
work bulletins
work schedules, plans and specifications.

Workplace health and safety is to be in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:
emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
handling of materials
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
earth leakage boxes
lighting
photovoltaic (solar) panels
power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits
restricted access barriers
surrounding structures
traffic control
trip hazards
work site visitors and the public
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
working with dangerous materials
organisational first aid
personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
relevant OHS legislation applying in the jurisdiction where work is carried out, including:
AS6001 - 1999 Working platforms for domestic application
AS1576 - Scaffolding
AS/NZS4576 - 1995 Guidelines for scaffolding
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:
federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Hazards include:
air temperature
construction activity involving other workers and contractors
dust and vapours
electrical equipment
energy sources
equipment and materials
hazardous materials
light
manual handling
moisture
noise
pholtovoltaic (solar) panels
stationary and moving plant
work at heights.

Tools and equipment include:
air compressors and hoses
hand and power tools
nail guns
power leads
scaffolding.

Materials include:
materials used on the construction work site.

Environmental requirements include:
clean-up management
noise and dust
vibration
waste management.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
comply with site safety plan, OHS regulations and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations
safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment
communicate and work effectively and safely with others
select and use appropriate height access and fall protection equipment and work methods, including inspecting fall protection equipment, scaffold and fall barriers for faults
apply knowledge of industry products to identify:
manual handling risks
types of lifting and support structures approved for use
modify work activities to cater for variations in work site procedures, contexts and environment and use appropriate behaviour for safe work at heights
use safe handling requirements, based on information provided, for equipment, products and materials.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D7352 CPCCCM2010A Work safely at heights Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCQ90 CPCCCM2012 Work safely at heights Unit of competency
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