Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:49 AM AWST
22/07/2026 7:49 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
RIIOHS204A
RIIOHS204A
State Code
WB352
WB352
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
04/11/2014
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
04/11/2014
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit covers working safely at heights in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes: identifying the work requirements, work procedures and instructions for the task; accessing and installing equipment; performing work at heights; and cleaning up the work area.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify work requirements
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to working safely at heights
- 1.2. Identify the scope of the task
- 1.3. Adhere to OHS requirements associated with working safely at heights, and the workplace environment throughout the work
- 1.4. Inspect site to determine layout and physical condition, condition of structures, prevailing weather conditions, equipment requirements and potential hazards
- 1.5. Identify and document scope of the task and proposed work practices/activities
- 1.6. Identify, select and check safety equipment for serviceability
- 1.7. Identify, manage and report potential risks and hazards
2. Identify work procedures and instructions for the task
- 2.1. Select materials, tools and equipment, including personal safety equipment, and check for serviceability
- 2.2. Inspect/install fall protection and perimeter protection equipment ensuring adequacy for work and conformance to regulatory requirements
- 2.3. Identify approved methods of moving tools and equipment to work area and minimise potential hazards associated with tools at heights
- 2.4. Install safety system in accordance with requirements
- 2.5. Select and install appropriate signs and barricades
3. Access and install equipment
- 3.1. Correctly fit, adjust and anchor fall protection and associated equipment
- 3.2. Make appropriate arrangements to install required equipment
- 3.3. Use recommended methods to access work area for people, tools and equipment
- 3.4. Place tools and materials to eliminate or minimise the risk of items being knocked down
4. Perform work at heights
- 4.1. Check access from ground to work area to ensure it is safe and in accordance with requirements
- 4.2. Keep fall equipment in place and adjusted appropriately to all for movement during work
- 4.3. Undertake manual handling of materials and equipment in accordance with requirements
- 4.4. Locate materials and equipment ensuring that they are safely secured and distributed
- 4.5. Check safety system periodically for compliance with requirements and procedures
- 4.6. Monitor risk control measures to ensure that they are effective and appropriate to the task and work environment
- 4.7. Reassess risk control measures, as required, in accordance with changed work practices and/or site conditions and undertake alterations
5. Clean up work area
- 5.1. Dismantle safety system in accordance with sequence and remove from worksite
- 5.2. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials
- 5.3. Clean, check, maintain and store tools and equipment
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.
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
OHS requirements may include those associated with:
protective clothing and equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety
handling of materials
use of fire fighting equipment
use of First Aid equipment
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
Hazards may include:
falling objects
removal of scaffold components
inappropriate carrying of materials on ladders
excessive bending or twisting in different work situations
Tools and equipment may include:
fall protection
perimeter protection
signage and barricades
ladders
lifting/load shifting equipment including:
hand trolleys
rollers
forklifts
chain blocks
hoists
jacks
scaffolds
elevated work platforms
lifting equipment (such as cranes)
Safety systems may include:
scaffolds
handrails
foot walks
kickboards
safety harness
harness fixing points
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
OHS requirements may include those associated with:
protective clothing and equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety
handling of materials
use of fire fighting equipment
use of First Aid equipment
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
Hazards may include:
falling objects
removal of scaffold components
inappropriate carrying of materials on ladders
excessive bending or twisting in different work situations
Tools and equipment may include:
fall protection
perimeter protection
signage and barricades
ladders
lifting/load shifting equipment including:
hand trolleys
rollers
forklifts
chain blocks
hoists
jacks
scaffolds
elevated work platforms
lifting equipment (such as cranes)
Safety systems may include:
scaffolds
handrails
foot walks
kickboards
safety harness
harness fixing points
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
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for working safely at heights
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for safe, effective and efficient working at heights
working with others to undertake and complete work safely at heights that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of work at heights that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete work safely at heights
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for working safely at heights
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for safe, effective and efficient working at heights
working with others to undertake and complete work safely at heights that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of work at heights that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete work safely at heights
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2278 | MNMG237A | Work safely at heights | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH753 | RIIWHS204D | Work safely at heights | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
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| W662 | RII20909 | Certificate II in Drilling Operations | Qualification |
| J536 | TLI31913 | Certificate III in Mechanical Rail Signalling | Qualification |
| J572 | PMA30113 | Certificate III in Process Plant Operations | Qualification |
| J570 | PMA20113 | Certificate II in Process Plant Operations | Qualification |
| J571 | PMA40113 | Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology | Qualification |
| S784 | TLI21311 | Certificate II in Rail Infrastructure | Qualification |
| D586 | RII30611 | Certificate III in Small Mining Operations | Qualification |
| S668 | MSA30309 | Certificate III in Surface Preparation and Coating Application | Qualification |
| J803 | TLI33413 | Certificate III in Waste Driving Operations | Qualification |