Height and Access Safety Group (HASG) Is a technical product group comprised of UK manufacturers and suppliers of fall protection equipment.

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1 Best practice for delivery for training for work at height HASG are publishing a new code setting out best practice for organisations who provide training or education in the use of personal or collective fall protection equipment for work at height or rescue. Such training or education may involve practical experience of a work method or experience of exposure to height. HASG have drafted the document as a response to the wide variation In the standard ot the delivery of such trainig currently available, and In support of the HSE Revitalising health and safety" Initiative. It Is most Important that height safety training Is monitored, carried out and documented In accordance with an auditable standard. Until this document was produced there was no mechanism for this process. Height and Access Safety Group (HASG) Is a technical product group comprised of UK manufacturers and suppliers of fall protection equipment. The standard is intended to be used by all organisations providing such training or education, irrespective of the nature of course content, the type of training being provided or the size of the organisation providing the training. It standard applies to all locations where such training is provided, whether at a dedicated training facility or at sites which are not specially adapted (but are suitable for the type of training to be delivered). The standard Is not Intended to apply to training in the installation of fixed safety systems, or in the use of plant or mechanical access equipment. Some requirements of this standard will be relevant to organisations who are not commercial training providers but who provide such training to their own employees. HASG Members will Include In their management systems the quality control measures that this standard sets out. The main areas covered are: The management structure to facilitate the training Training methods Trainer attributes Care and maintenance of training facilities Up to date reference documentation Assessment criteria and maintenance of records Internal Audit Insurance covering all aspects The standard recognises the requirements of the following regulations and standards The Work at Height Regulations: 2003 (?) Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations: 1999 Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations: 1998 Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations: 1997 BS Code of Practice for The Selection and Use of fall protection equipment: 2003 (?) For additional Info refer to the on HASG "Best practice leaflet" which is available as a download from the HASG website :

2 3.0 Terms and definitions 3.1 Technical work at height a place at or below ground level, from which, if measures were not taken, a person could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury safe system of work set of considerations to enable the delivery of training with minimal risk and maximum safety individual measures fall protection equipment worn by or connected to a person to protect against falls collective measures fall protection equipment which is not worn or held and which may protect more than one person at a time, e.g. airbags, nets, guardrails rescue safe and timely recovery of a stranded, injured or debilitated person to a place of safety 3.2 Personnel trainer representative of the training provider who delivers course content to candidates training manager designated employee of the training provider responsible for controlling the elements of the training safety management system training supervisor designated employee of the training provider responsible for implementing the elements of the training safety management system competent person person with sufficient professional or technical training, knowledge, actual experience and authority to enable them to: carry out their assigned duties at the level of responsibility allocated to them understand fully any potential hazards related to the work (or equipment) under consideration Detect any defects, or omissions in that work (or equipment), recognise any implications for health and safety caused by those defects and omissions, and be able to specify a remedial action to mitigate those implications 3.3 Facilities and equipment training facility dedicated venue for the delivery of training which may contain training apparatus training apparatus designated structure, fixture or object (which may be artificial or natural) used to demonstrate or learn specific training objectives training equipment group or personal protective equipment used during training activities

3 3.3.4 training site [does this differ from 3.3.1?] a location not dedicated to the delivery of specified training but which Is suitable for the training which will be delivered training objectives defined learning objectives goals for any training or education to be delivered. NOTE: Training objectives should be verifiable. 3.4 Documentation training safety management system management system to control and direct an organisation with respect to the delivery of training in a controlled environment which minimises risk to the training candidate training safety management policy formal statement indicating overall intentions and direction of the organisation related to the training safety management system 3.4 course material printed or other media used during the delivery of education or training

4 3.4.3 course notes suitable documentary information on the main points of the delivered training or education syllabus itemised statement of scope, content, training facility, cost, applicability and validity of training or education to be delivered for a specified course certificate itemised record of content, scope, applicability and validity of successful attendance and assessment training records: records of candidates, trainer, training or education undertaken, assessment method and certification for all training done NOTE: Records should Include both successful and unsuccessful assessments 3.5 Training processes training practical teaching requiring practice or demonstration by the candidate in a situation representing real working practices education classroom learning, which may include practical demonstration candidate assessment suitable, verifiable process to ensure the candidate properly understands the course content NOTE: This will entail, as a minimum, a written answer and practical demonstration by the candidate of competence in practical tasks and safety critical operations independent assessment candidate assessment carried out by a competent person who was not directly involved in the delivery of the course content being assessed 3.6 Contractual client organisation with whom the training provider has a contract to supply training services subcontractor contracted agent of the training provider NOTE: A sub-contractor may be an individual or commercial organisation candidate person receiving the training or education NOTE: The candidate may be a person other than the client training provider the organisation contracted to provide training to the client 4.0 Training safety management system 4.1 The training provider must possess a clearly stated training safety management policy. 4.2 The training safety management system should include, as a minimum, procedures for:

5 the internal audit of training provision maintaining an up-to-date list of references documents trainer attributes control of training methods trainee induction and supervision emergency procedures, including rescue Inspection, care and maintenance procedures for training facilities, site(s), apparatus and equipment methods of candidate assessment and validation 4.3 Where appropriate, the training safety management system must be controlled, with revision level, issue dates and unique document references. 4.4 Only current documentation must be in use. 4.5 Training providers should carry appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance covering training for the activities to be undertaken. This may include work at height. 5.0 Documentation and record keeping requirements 5.1 Training providers should be registered under the Data Protection Act, as appropriate. 5.2 Training providers must maintain attendee records, including medical questionnaires where appropriate. 5.3 Records must be kept of the following trainer attributes: practical skills prior and current experience training undertaken pre-employment training performance assessment 5.4 Records must be kept of candidate assessment and certification. 5.5 Current issues of relevant legislation and applicable reference information must be available. 5.6 Records must be kept of apparatus and equipment, including: purchase documents certificates of conformity (where relevant) equipment markings and traceability current inspection status 5.7 Documented risk assessments (and, where appropriate, method statements) should exist for all training activities, facilities and sites. 5.8 A documented schedule should specify periodic inspection of training apparatus, sites, facilities and equipment by a competent person. 6.0 Management responsibility, authority and communication 6.1 A single person must be designated as training manager and they must be competent to carry out this function. 6.2 The training manager is responsible for reviewing and Implementing the training safety

6 management system. 6.3 All staff must have clearly documented roles and responsibilities and they must be aware of these. 6.4 Documented procedures must exist to ensure the organisation and staff are kept informed of changes to relevant internal and external documentation, e.g. legislation, guidance and standards agreed best practice published industry guidance training methods risk control methods course content incidents equipment 7.0 Management review 7.1 The training safety management system must contain procedures for regular internal audit of the effectiveness of control measures (Including risk control measures). The results of audits must be reviewed regularly by senior management. 8.0 Suitability of training provided 8.1 Procedures shall be in place to ensure clients are clear about the scope and suitability of any training to be provided. NOTE: This will normally require the client to be in receipt of the training syllabus and the need for pre-course medical requirements (if applicable) before the training is purchased. The syllabus sent to the client should explain the aims, objectives and scope of the course, theoretical and practical content and the length of time for which any certification would be valid. 8.2 Consideration should be given to possible special requirements which candidates might have with respect to the use of particular PPE in their workplace. 8.3 If a candidate, in their normal work environment, will be working at considerable height (or in a specifically complex environment), training should include exposure to this type of situation. 8.4 The language of delivery must be acceptable to the candidate to ensure adequate understanding of course content. 9.0 Training design and development 9.1 Course content should be designed with reference to possible requirements indicated by 8.2, 8.3 and Training must be designed so that learning objectives are verifiable. 9.2 Training objectives must be designed for an intended purpose, which should be clearly stated in written course material. Course material should contain at least the following: aims and objectives scope, applicability

7 validity (duration) of certification syllabus and timetable course notes verifiable assessment 9.4 Courses must be properly structured and supported by appropriate written material 9.5 Training and education content must be technically correct, current at time of delivery and in accordance with current legislation, guidance and standards. 9.6 All courses should provide information on the key requirements of a safe system of work for the activity concerned, including any legislative requirements. 9.7 Courses must also include information on likely or possible defects and remedial actions. 9.8 Training should not be given in the use of inappropriate techniques or equipment. 9.9 Syllabi should specify whether independent assessment is required 9.10 Training shall only be delivered if appropriate training facilities, sites and apparatus are providedare Management of training resources 10.1 Training equipment must be selected according to specified criteria and must be fit for the intended purpose All equipment must be properly stored, inspected and in good condition, in accordance with the manufacturers' instructions Training facilities or apparatus should be appropriate for the courses being delivered (whether at the training provider s, client s or other site). They should: represent the working environment include appropriate practical training apparatus be controlled to minimise risk to candidates have suitable areas for theoretical and practical training environment prevent unintentional access by third parties 10.4 If training is carried out on a client s site the training provider must complete an appraisal of the training site to ensure the above requirements are met. The training provider must also ensure that any site specific requirements are met, e.g. client site rules or site safety procedures Training equipment should be quality controlled (e.g. marked, traceable, inspected) and properly maintained in accordance with current legislation Training apparatus should be inspected at regular intervals by a competent person in accordance with a documented schedule and the results recorded Damaged equipment should be withdrawn from use until inspected by a competent person, who will determine what remedial action is required First aid facilities shall be provided which are appropriate to the training situation Training staff

8 11.1 Procedures must be in place to review and monitor the competence of trainers in terms of experience, training, knowledge and ability to deliver the intended course. NOTE: This would normally require a demonstration of ability by the trainer Trainers must be competent in terms of verifiable experience, training and knowledge Experience of trainers must be documented Training environment 12.1 Procedures should exist to ensure the maintenance and proper control of the training environment Documented procedures should exist to maintain a safe system of work for all training activities. Measures taken should include, as a minimum: clear demarcation of training areas control of third party hazards adequate methods of communication provision of suitable anchors consideration of prevailing weather rescue planning and provision 12.3 A risk assessment for must be undertaken for all training sites and facilities Training sites and facilities must be designed to minimise the exposure of delegates to the risk of injury 12.5 When appropriate, suitable rescue and recovery facilities and competent persons should be provided to effect timely rescue Trainer/candidate working ratios must never exceed those specified in the syllabus Use of sub-contractors 13.1 Controls must be in place to monitor the use of training sub-contractors, especially to ensure proper delivery of course content as intended and is within the declared scope of the course being delivered Sub-contractors should only be used to deliver courses for which they are competent Adequate insurance must be in place when sub-contractors are used Assessment and certification (validation) 14.1 Certification should be specific to the training or education which has been given and should identify the practical experience that has been gained, if any Any certification declaring suitability for work at height shall include aptitude for exposure to height Certificates should state the height the training was carried out at, the degree of exposure to such height and any work equipment used or personal protective equipment worn Assessment or competence criteria must be clearly defined for all courses. Assessment should include verifiable and demonstrable results.

9 NOTE: For example: Harness seen to have been put on and adjusted correctly If independent assessment is required it shall be carried out by a suitably competent person who was not the principal trainer Customer complaints 15.1 Procedures should exist for adequately dealing with client complaints. Complaints must be reviewed in a timely manner and corrective or preventive actions specified Monitoring and Improvement 16.1 Feedback forms should be used and results retained for all courses Regular, documented review of such forms should take place with recommendations for improvement Regular review of internal audits and other management activities should take place with a view to improving the safety, quality and effectiveness of training provision, where possible. END Draft 3, issued 9/5/03