Work at height comes down to a simple order of avoid, prevent, then reduce, and this talk takes staff through it. The guidance adds the detail on ladders and fragile surfaces.

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This training talk is supplied in fully editable MS Word format, prepared using the F-Q7 Training Talk Attendance Record form template. All text is in Calibri font for improved readability.
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Further Reading

Further guidance on working at height:

• Working at Height
• Management and Use of Ladders
• Risk Assessment
• Health and Safety knowledge base

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How to Download

This file is included in the alphaZ subscription. The training talk is also included in the ISO 45001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.

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Working Safely at Height Training Talk

A training talk on working safely at height for staff who use ladders, steps or platforms or work on roofs - avoiding work at height, preventing falls, fragile surfaces and the checks to make before starting. It is a one-page attendance record with the talk description already filled in, and it refers to the guidance document to run the talk from.

The Talk and the Documents It Refers To

• TT-7-07 Working Safely at Height - the attendance record, with the topic and talk description ready to use and a signature line for each attendee
• GG-7-07 Working Safely at Height - the guidance document the talk is based on, to prepare from and to issue to staff afterwards

Talk Description

• What counts as working at height
• Avoiding work at height where possible, then preventing falls
• Reducing the distance and consequences of a fall where the risk remains
• Ladders for low-risk, short-duration work, and the training needed
• Fragile roofs and surfaces - a common cause of serious falls
• Your responsibilities - checks before work, weather, falling objects and emergency plans

Running the Talk

Read through the guidance beforehand, talk the points through with the team, then have everyone sign the record. Keep the signed record as evidence that the briefing took place and who received it.

Why Fragile Surfaces Get Their Own Point

Roof lights, cement sheets and other fragile surfaces can look solid enough to stand on, and a fall through them is usually serious. The talk picks them out separately so that staff treat any roof or surface as fragile until it is confirmed otherwise.

Adapting the Talk

The record and the guidance are both fully editable, so add the access equipment you use, any fragile roofs or surfaces on your premises, who checks ladders and platforms, and your rescue arrangements. Update the talk description if you cover extra points.

Keeping the Training Record

File the signed record with your training records, or log the talk against each attendee in a training matrix, so you can show who has been briefed and when.

Who Is It For?

Anyone who works off the ground, from maintenance and site teams to staff who use stepladders in stores. It works at induction, before a job at height and as a refresher for ladder users.

Included in the ISO 45001 Toolkit

This training talk is part of the ISO 45001 Toolkit, and is included in the integrated toolkits that include it.

Delivering Talks Regularly

Short, regular talks keep health and safety in front of people. Run this one alongside the other health and safety training talks to build awareness one topic at a time.

Related Training Talks

Other training talks that work alongside this one:

• TT-7-21 Safe Use of Ladders
• TT-7-12 Preventing Slips and Trips
• TT-7-03 Completing a Risk Assessment