Safely work at height in the reinforced concrete frame environment

Competence Framework / Occupation

Reinforced Concrete

Duration

6 hours

Purpose/ scope

This standard is designed to provide the skills and knowledge required to safely work at height in the reinforced concrete frame environment to include but not limited to proprietary and traditional formwork systems, and where precast concrete is to be used e.g. stair cores

This training would be relevant for trade disciplines associated with the reinforced concrete frame industry

Scope:

• health and safety legislation and the different legislative requirements
• select, inspect and use appropriate Work at Height equipment
• understanding of edge protection systems
• install, inspect and use fall arrest harnesses, fall restraint harnesses and anchor point systems
• working safely on leading edges and around slab openings (voids)
• site specific procedures for a suspended rescue after a fall from height

Learner pre-requisites

There are no learner pre-requisites as part of this Standard

However, a basic knowledge of formwork and working at height within associated work environments would be beneficial

Instruction/ supervision

As a minimum, course trainers must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• an award in education and training (or equivalent, as per requirements for approved training organisations)
• at least 2 years industrial experience relevant to the scope of the standard
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for learners to achieve learning outcomes and must comply with relevant legislation

The learning environment, class size and learner/trainer ratio must allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable learners to achieve the learning outcomes

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

face to face learning environment only (such as classroom/workshop etc.)

This standard is predominantly theoretical training

This standard is considered to be set at an entry level

Assessment

Formally Assessed

For the successful completion of training, learners must complete an end of course practical assessment and knowledge test that measures all learning outcomes and has a pass criterion

Methods of assessment considered appropriate for training delivered against this standard are:

• multiple choice questions
• short answer questions
• practical assessment

Pass criteria for the practical assessment:

the trainer must be satisfied that the learner has achieved all learning outcomes

Where this training is assessed using multiple-choice questions, all learning outcomes must be covered over 24 questions and learners are required to achieve an overall pass mark of at least 80%

Quality assurance

Assured

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard.

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the training standard.

Approved training organisations (ATOs) will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk-based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal

Renewal every 36 months

Buffer / grace period

7 months

Classification

Mandatory Renewal

Working Group approval date

April 2024

Review cycle

On request or 60 months (5 years) from approval date. 

Learning outcomes

The learner will be able to:

Recognise the purpose of health and safety legislation and the different legislative requirements that must be followed to ensure that it is fulfilled

Assessment criteria:

• the learner can identify current legislation, applicable to working at height
• the learner can list common employer and employee responsibilities applicable to working at height.
• the learner will be able to explain risk assessments

Assessment specification:

• relevant legislation for this standard is the Health and Safety at Work Act, Working at Height Regulations the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations and Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations
• employer responsibilities include, identifying hazards associated with the work activity. Provide the correct equipment and training to mitigate the hazards and associated risks with working at height and bring to the attention of the employee
• the employee must know that they have a responsibility to adhere to the employer’s directions, use equipment correctly and know that they are responsible for their acts and omissions. Bring to the attention of the employer any safety hazards
• the learner should understand that the risk assessment is important; also know that they must read and understand the contents of the risk assessment. They should know that a permit to work may be issued for cases where additional risk is present.
• The learner should understand the hierarchy of controls applicable to working at height

Describe how to select, inspect and use the appropriate work at height equipment for the working environment

Assessment criteria:

• the learner can list appropriate WAH equipment and their uses
• the learner will be able to explain Working at height PPE and access equipment inspections
• the learner can explain the function of an exclusion zone

Assessment specification:

• equipment application and limitations for items such as ladders, podiums, access towers, push around platform, hop ups and MEWPs
• working at height personal protection equipment must cover harness types, fall restraint systems, fall arrest systems, associated items and their limitations
• how to select appropriate equipment within the following working environments:
  • lift shafts, stair cores, suspended slabs, formwork/falsework erecting areas, striking areas and leading edges
  • self-climbing formwork systems e.g. slipform, jumpform systems and climbing screens
• describe the pre-use inspection checks
• describe the associated training requirements to operate MEWPS
• describe the associated training requirements to assemble access towers
• describe the associated training requirements for crane loading platforms
• describe the associated training requirements for the installation and removal of site stairway systems, including inspection to bring into use
• describe the procedures for implementing exclusion zones, maintaining integrity and once complete removing it

Have an understanding of edge protection systems

Assessment criteria:

• types of equipment, general components and function
• training requirements for installation, altering and removal

Assessment specification:

• the learner must have an understanding that they are required to be formally trained to install, alter and remove edge protection systems
• the learner must also understand the company inspection and maintenance regime for the equipment

Demonstrate how to install, inspect and use fall arrest harnesses, fall restraint harnesses and anchor point systems

Assessment criteria:

• learner demonstrates how to inspect a fall arrest and fall restraint harness
• learner demonstrates how to don and correctly adjust a fall arrest and fall restraint harness
• learner will be able to identify and explain the anchor point systems available and the limitations of the equipment.
• learner will be able to describe how to care for, store and the servicing requirements for such equipment

Assessment specification:

• the learner must know how to, inspect, correctly don and use the equipment provided. Inspections to include checking for the mandatory inspection and reporting procedures for any fault that are identified, including quarantine of faulty equipment
• the learner must be aware of the types of anchor point systems that are provided and their limitations

Explain procedures for working safely on leading edges and around slab openings (voids)

Assessment criteria:

• working safely on leading edges including:
  • falsework
  • slab cut outs
  • Stair landings and lift cores
  • a crane loading platform
  • suspended slab leading edges
  • void protection
  • tool and equipment tethering

Assessment specification:

• the learner should be able to explain the stages to put in place to work safely on a leading edge. This should include access, hazard and information signage, set up of exclusion zones, correct PPE, communication and making the area safe at cease works / breaks
• the learner should have an understanding that the preferred mitigation for void protection is the use of edge protection systems; however void protection can be in the form of a cover to temporary works design
• the learner will be able to demonstrate the correct selection, connecting and adjustment of a tool tether

Explain site specific procedures for a suspended rescue after a fall from height has occurred and the post emergency procedures which should be followed after such an event. Explain suspension trauma and the mitigation after a suspended fall from height, has occurred

Assessment criteria:

• explain rescue procedures and equipment relevant to the site
  • rescue cage
  • alternative methods of recovery specific to the site
• explain what suspension trauma is and how manage it
• quarantining of equipment post activation
• incident reporting

Assessment specification:

• the learner should be able to explain the site-specific rescue procedures which may be different between company standard operating procedures. Rescue equipment may vary according to a site-specific risk assessment
• the learner should be able to explain what suspension trauma is, the effects on the body and importance of rescue as soon as possible
• the learner should be able to explain the procedure to be followed after an item of working at height equipment has been involved in a fall. Specifically, the importance of equipment quarantine before the accident investigation is completed
• the learner should be able to explain the incident reporting procedures and why this is important

Additional information about this standard

In addition to this training, it is recommended that a toolbox talk /familiarisation on the safe use of supplier’s equipment is undertaken

Specific training should be undertaken when using access equipment to work at height, such as proprietary access platforms and mobile elevated working platforms (MEWP) (IPAF / PASMA / etc.) and when installing proprietary edge protection systems

Learners will also need to be trained on:

• the installation of edge protection systems
• access equipment in line with nationally recognised awarding bodies such as PASMA and IPAF
• specific rescue methods and equipment