We are pleased to introduce our fully online course: Work at Height Rescue Training for Operatives.
A suspended worker after a fall is in immediate danger. Suspension trauma develops quickly and can become fatal before emergency services arrive. On many sites, the rescue plan exists on paper. The problem is that operatives have never been briefed on it before work begins.
This IIRSM-approved course provides operatives with a clear, practical understanding of site rescue arrangements, rescue equipment and the steps required when a fall occurs. It is designed for site operatives and workers who work at height or support work-at-height activities. Site managers and supervisors gain a repeatable, documented way to ensure every operative is briefed to the same standard before work starts.
Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal injuries at work in the UK. When a fall occurs, time is critical. Suspension trauma develops rapidly, and the window for safe rescue is short. In many cases, the difference between a survivable incident and a fatal outcome comes down to whether the right actions were taken in the first few minutes.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require employers to plan rescue arrangements before work begins, provide and maintain suitable equipment and appoint competent persons to carry out rescues. Operatives must follow site rescue plans, use equipment as instructed and raise concerns before work starts.
In practice, those duties often go unmet at the point where it matters most. Operatives assume that calling 999 is a sufficient rescue plan. Rescue equipment is stored in locations operatives have never been shown. Alarm procedures vary between sites and shifts. Critical actions are delayed simply because nobody was properly briefed beforehand. This course addresses those gaps directly, giving organisations a structured way to build a consistent level of rescue awareness across the workforce.
This training is suitable for:
- Work at height and general site operatives
- Construction, roofing and steelwork operatives
- Maintenance operatives and technicians
- MEWP, cherry picker and access platform operators
- Telecoms, mast and tower operatives
- Warehouse and racking operatives
- In-house rescue team members and nominated rescuers
By the end of this course, trainees will understand:
- Why work-at-height rescue planning is a legal requirement and what is at risk when response is delayed
- The duties placed on employers and operatives under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, including the obligation to plan rescue arrangements before work starts
- The most common rescue scenarios on site, the associated hazards and how quickly suspension trauma can develop
- The main types of rescue equipment found on site and how each is used during a rescue
- The steps involved in carrying out a rescue, from initial situation assessment through to safely managing a suspended casualty
- What to do if they fall or become suspended in a harness, including available self-help options while waiting for rescue
- How to respond if they witness a fall, including raising the alarm and supporting the site rescue plan
- The limits of their role and when specialist rescuers or emergency services must take over
Need to ensure every operative on site understands your rescue arrangements before work starts? Enrol your workforce on Work at Height Rescue Training for Operatives today. Give your teams a consistent, documented grounding in rescue awareness, so that if a fall occurs, your people know exactly what to do.
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For more details about this course, please contact us.
