Tips to Updating Your Work at Heights Training in 2021

Work at heights training is crucial to keep your workers safe when walking or working at potentially unsafe heights. It’s also essential to consider updating your training program during the first months of the year to stave off severe injuries as much as possible hence keeping your workforce safe throughout the year.

So, how do you know if you need to update your work at height training? Well, proper training and timely updates are normally crucial for employees in the construction, hydro, mining, HVAC, and telecommunication industries, among others. Generally, training updates can be necessary when:

• A new member(s) is added to your team.

• A new piece of equipment/machinery has been purchased and it will be used at heights. These include scaffolds, boom lifts, and scissor lifts.

• The company moves its operation to a different worksite.

• The employer needs the workers to possess sufficient knowledge of the latest safety updates.

Please read on to learn more about what you need to consider for your work at heights training updates, and how you can go about it.

1. Fall Restraint Systems Training

Having quality fall restraint systems in good condition will not be enough if the workforce does not know how to properly use them. It’s essential that your employees know how to properly use safety and work belts, especially when working in new environments with unfamiliar terrains. Train your workforce on how best to leverage their fall restraint system to prevent injuries in the event of a fall.

If your employees will need to access the roof for inspection or to conduct their duties, ensure you have installed the necessary fall protection such as a flat roof fall protection.

2. Distance Awareness Training

Training your employees on fall distance awareness can be an essential upgrade for workers working at height. These employees need to know the heights where fall restraints and related safety gear are necessary. Ensure to train them on the proper fall distance calculation from a lower level surface that should prevent them from hitting the ground. They need to also learn about harness and anchor placement, fitting, and adjustment to ensure the safety system functions effectively.

3. Passive Protection Training

Passive fall protection systems are vital for keeping your workers safe from falls and injuries when working at height. Ensure your training programs include training your workforce on how to properly connect restraining belts to stable rails and platforms to prevent any injuries in the event of a fall.

4. Barrier Training

Employees working at heights need regular barrier training and refreshers to enhance their safety. Teach them about the different barriers available, their importance, and the safe distance to keep when working near the barriers. Consider training them on the efficient ways of using the extra-safety systems such as harnesses and nets to their advantage when performing their duties.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training

PPE is very essential when working at height. However, workers tend to forget to use the equipment in some instances or forget to wear it properly. You need to train them on the proper use of every PPE and the importance of wearing the right safety equipment when walking or working at heights. Update them on the best and safest PPE to use in specific sites and when performing specific duties.

6. Boom and Scissor Lift Training

Employees saddled with operating boom and scissor lifts require relevant updates on best practices on how to safely operate the machinery. Focus on teaching your workers to identify underlying hazards, observe weight limits and transit operations, and more.