SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 1 of 10
RIIWHS204D-Work safely at heights This Learning Guide covers the unit Work safely at heights.
The topics covered in this Learning Guide are:
Compliance documentation and legislation
Safety and hazards
Definitions
Standards
Training
Personnel Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Permits
Task and safety requirements
Inspection check list
Risk assessment
Standard operating procedures
Job hazard analysis
Hierarchy of controls
Access and egress
Barriers and protection systems
Scaffolding
Restraint systems
Maintenance
Work platforms
Personal protective equipment
Signs and barricades
Mechanical lifting equipment
Structural adequacy
Tools, equipment and materials
Housekeeping
Records
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 2 of 10
The following table maps the Learning activities, and the Knowledge questions and Practical
activities to check your understanding, against the unit of competency.
RIIWHS204D - Work safely at heights
Learning Activities
(LA)
Check your understanding
Knowledge Questions
(KQ)
Practical Activities
(PA)
1. Identify work requirements
1.1 Access, interpret and apply height
safety procedures and ensure the
work activity is compliant
1.2 Inspect site to determine layout
and physical condition, condition of
structures, prevailing weather
conditions, equipment
requirements and potential
hazards
1.3 Adhere to WHS requirements
1.4 Identify, select and check safety
equipment for serviceability
1.5 Identify, manage and report
potential risks and hazards
LA 1. 1.1,
1.2, 1.3, 1.4,
1.5
LA 2. 1.2, 1.5
LA 3. 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, 1.5
LA 4. 1.2, 1.3,
1.4, 1.5
LA 5. 1.5
LA 7. 1.1, 1.2,
1.3
LA 8. 1.1, 1.3
LA 9. 1.1, 1.3
LA 10. 1.1
KQ 1. 1.4
KQ 2. 1.1
KQ 3. 1.1,
1.3
KQ 4. 1.1,
1.3
KQ 8. 1.1
KQ 9. 1.1
KQ 10. 1.1,
1.3
KQ 11. 1.2
KQ 12. 1.2,
1.5
KQ 13. 1.2,
1.5
PA 1. 1.1,
1.2, 1.3,1.4,
1.5
PA 2. 1.2,
1.5
PA 3. 1.4
PA 4. 1.4
2. Identify work procedures and instructions
2.1 Consult with authorised personnel
to select materials, tools and
equipment and check for
serviceability
2.2 Select, wear and care for personal
protective equipment
2.3 Inspect/install fall protection and
perimeter protection equipment
2.4 Identify approved methods of
moving tools and equipment to
work area and minimise potential
hazards associated with tools at
heights
LA 1. 2.1, 2.2,
2.3, 2.4, 2.5,
2.6
LA 2. 2.4
LA 3. 2.4
LA 4. 2.1, 2.2,
2.3, 2.4, 2.5,
2.6
LA 6. 2.5
LA 7. 2.4, 2.6
KQ 1. 2.1,
2.3
KQ 2. 2.1
KQ 5. 2.4
KQ 10. 2.5
KQ 12. 2.3,
2.4
PA 1. 2.1,
2.2, 2.3, 2.4,
2.5, 2.6
PA 2. 2.3,
2.5
PA 3. 2.2
PA 4. 2.1,
2.5, 2.6
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 3 of 10
RIIWHS204D - Work safely at heights
Learning Activities
(LA)
Check your understanding
Knowledge Questions
(KQ)
Practical Activities
(PA)
2.5 Ensure safety system has been
installed correctly
2.6 Select and install appropriate signs
and barricades
3. Access and install equipment
3.1 Consult with authorised personnel
to ensure anchor fall protection
and associated equipment is
correctly fitted and adjusted
3.2 Ensure all required equipment is
installed
3.3 Use recommended methods to
access work area for people, tools
and equipment
3.4 Locate tools and materials to
eliminate or minimise the risk of
items being knocked down
LA 1. 3.1, 3.2,
3.3, 3.4
LA 4. 3.1, 3.2,
3.3, 3.4
LA 5 3.2
LA 6. 3.2
KQ 1. 3.2
KQ 2. 3.1
KQ 6. 3.4
KQ 10. 3.3
KQ 12. 3.2
PA 2. 3.2
PA 5. 3.1,
3.2
4. Perform work at heights
4.1 Check access from ground to work
area and ensure it is safe
4.2 Keep fall equipment in place and
adjusted appropriately for
movement during work
4.3 Undertake manual handling of
materials and equipment
4.4 Locate materials and equipment
ensuring that they are safely
secured and distributed
4.5 Check safety system periodically
for compliance
4.6 Monitor risk control measures to
ensure that they are effective and
appropriate
LA 1. 4.1, 4.2,
4.3, 4.4, 4.5,
4.6, 4.7
LA 2. 4.1
LA 3. 4.1, 4.7
LA 4. 4.1
LA 5. 4.2, 4.5
LA 6. 4.1, 4.5
LA 7. 4.1
KQ 5. 4.3
KQ 7. 4.1
PA 2. 4.1
PA 6. 4.1,
4.2, 4.3, 4.4,
4.5, 4.6, 4.7
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 4 of 10
RIIWHS204D - Work safely at heights
Learning Activities
(LA)
Check your understanding
Knowledge Questions
(KQ)
Practical Activities
(PA)
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 Consult with authorised personnel
to ensure safety system is
dismantled and removed
5.2 Clear work area and dispose of or
recycle materials
5.3 Clean, check, maintain and store
tools and equipment
LA 1. 5.1, 5.2,
5.3
LA 5. 5.3
LA 10. 5.2,
5.3
KQ 1. 5.3
KQ 2. 5.3
KQ 10. 5.1
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 5 of 10
KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS
1. Describe the function of the following equipment/components
Answer:
Fall Arrest System
Fall arrest systems refer to the use of multiple approved safety equipment components
designed to be interconnected and rigged to arrest a free fall, which include some or all of
the following:
Anchorage
Horizontal and/or vertical lifelines
Inertia reel
Lanyard
Retractable lifeline
Rope grabs
Wire grabs
Rail system
Shock absorbers
Body harnesses
Lanyard
A lanyard connects a harness to an anchorage point or static line.
Karabiner
Metal connectors that can be attached to anchorage points.
Easily attached/detached, self-closing and requiring at least two consecutive deliberate
manual actions to open.
Restraint Line
A restraint line secures a worker to a point of anchorage and is used to prevent a person
from reaching a point from which they could fall.
Static Line
A static line is a horizontal line to which a lanyard may be attached and is designed to arrest
a free fall.
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 6 of 10
2. Which type of document would you refer to for inspection, maintenance and capacity of
fall arrest equipment?
Answer:
Manufacturer’s guidelines
3. When is a “Work at Heights Permit” required?
Answer:
Any work undertaken at a height greater than 2 metres, including the use of EWPs and work
cages, requires you to obtain a Working at Height Permit prior to commencement.
4. Who is permitted to issue a “Work at Heights Permit”?
Answer:
The Working at Heights Permit must be completed and signed off by your company’s
authorised personnel.
5. Describe how you can avoid manual handling injuries when shifting tools and
equipment.
Answer:
Using appropriate lifting/transporting equipment, such as hand a trolley.
6. Why is it important to remove all the tools, equipment and materials after completion of
the working at heights task?
Answer:
There is a great possibility that if tools, equipment and/or materials are left behind they may
potentially fall on personnel below; or may cause damage to any mechanical moving parts or
working systems located at the working at height site.
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 7 of 10
7. Having safe access and egress from a work level is compulsory.
Name two (2) types of systems that may be used to provide access/egress for the work
area.
Answer could include but not limited to:
Fixed work platforms, fixed/permanent ladders , walkways, stairways, scaffolds
8. Why is it important that you understand your compliance requirements for working at
heights?
Answer:
Compliance requirements are set out in legislative Acts and regulations and so are legally
binding. Failure to comply with is regarded as an offence.
9. Whilst working on the worksite you have a Duty of Care responsibility.
Identify two (2) key points of your Duty of Care responsibilities whilst on site.
Answers could include statements to indicate any of the following:
taking reasonable care to ensure your own safety and health;
avoiding adversely affecting the safety and health of any other person through any act or
omission;
complying with reasonable instructions given by the employer, or his representative;
following safety procedures and signage;
wearing and using provided protective clothing and equipment in a proper manner;
not misusing or damaging any equipment provided in the interests of safety and health;
reporting hazards and incidents (including potential hazards & unsafe conditions)
10. What is the safety standard/code of practice which covers Scaffolding general
requirements?
Answer:
AS/NZS 1576.1:2010. Scaffolding – General requirements
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 8 of 10
11. Working at heights hazards can be varied depending on the work task/situation, such as
fragile, unstable, sloping, slippery surfaces.
Describe two (2) other hazards that may exist.
Answer may include but not limited to examples of hazards such as:
open edges, holes, pits, shafts
falling objects
scaffolds, work platforms, ladders
carrying/transporting tools and equipment
12. Describe the purpose of the Hierarchy of Controls.
Answer:
The Hierarchy of Controls provides a priority list of hazard control measures, which
emphasises controlling a hazard(s) at its source, with the control measures listed in order of
effectiveness.
13. Describe the method of control for the following “Hierarchy of Controls”
Answer:
The first one is provided as an example:
Elimination: modify process, method or material to eliminate hazard completely.
Substitution: replace process, material or substance with a less hazardous one.
Isolation: isolate the hazard from persons by safeguarding, or by space, or time
separation.
Engineering: plant or work process redesigned to reduce or eliminate risk.
Administration: establish procedures, work instructions and training.
PPE - Using appropriately designed and fitted personal protective equipment where
other controls are not practical.
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 9 of 10
PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES Your assessor will provide you with a task to undertake, for you to demonstrate that you can plan and complete working at heights safely. 1. You are required to demonstrate your understanding of how to prepare for working at
heights tasks.
Which type of documents provides you with the required information to safely and
effectively work at heights?
Access a copy of the documents and explain their purpose.
Answer will be specific to the site and the type of documents but should include information such as:
Work instructions: Specific instructions on the task to be completed
Work at heights permit: Authorisation to conduct work at heights
Job hazard analysis: Assessment of the hazard/risks of a task.
2. Complete a JHA and identify control measures for a work at heights task.
Answer will be specific to the task assessed and the type of JHA:
Completed JHA should include all required information
3. Identify and demonstrate correct use of PPE for the work at heights task.
Answer will be specific to the task and required PPE for the task:
4. Select and check the required safety systems including fall protection and associated
equipment for the task.
Answer will be specific to the task and the required safety systems including fall protection and associated equipment for the task:
5. Check that fitting, adjusting and anchoring of fall protection and associated equipment is
correct.
Answer:
Candidate should correctly check the fitting, adjusting and anchoring of fall protection and
associated equipment.
SkillsDMC © Mapping & Solutions RIIWHS204D Page 10 of 10
6. Complete the working at heights task safely
Answer will be specific to the task:
Candidate should complete the allocated task using working at heights safety systems and
procedures.