Apprenticeship training course

Fall protection technician (level 3)

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Information about Fall protection technician (level 3)

Highly technican role involving autonomous working and supervisory responsibilities.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Health and safety legislation, requirements and procedures including: Working at Height Regulations, LOLER, COSHH.PAT testing, asbestos awareness, Health and Safety at Work Act, The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Measuring Instruments Regulations, Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations, Construction Design Management, relevant current BS/EN standards, manual handling, lone working procedure and precautions.
  • Maintenance of tools and equipment including: PPE, harness and roped access, first aid kit, inspection techniques, recalibration regimes, inspection records and additional checks in poor weather.
  • The principles of working at height and the different types of height safety (roped access techniques, horizontal and vertical track systems) and access equipment (MEWP, tower scaffold, ladder) including techniques and the limitations of each, permits to work, licencing and storage requirements.
  • The range of structural fixings typically used in fall protection (masonry fixings mechanical & chemical, concrete fixings mechanical & chemical, roof sheet fixings, rivet and toggle, steelwork fixings, bolts/ clamps and hollow fix, tension in fixings – required torque, use of sprung washers and locking nuts). The limitations and application of these fixings, bimetallic corrosion, installation techniques, how to deal with varying site conditions, functional tests for installed equipment and completion of mandatory records.
  • Engineering principles including: setting out and surveying, forces, mass, weights units of measure and the principle of lever arms, principles of loads absorption, physiology of arresting a fall, identification of building materials including accurate identification of masonry construction, identification of building structure, bimetallic corrosion. Materials sciences including an understanding of why specifications are important and a basic understanding of the characteristics of failure.
  • Strutural fixings and installation techniques including: interpreting drawings, setting out, the range of fall protection systems and components, how to deal with varying site conditions, functional tests for installed equipment and completion of mandatory records. System and component identification consequences of utilisng wrong, mismatching or untested.
  • The safe use and limitations of access equipment.
  • Principles of loads absorption, physiology of arresting a fall, harness fatigue & fall clearance differing, consequences of differing product applications.
  • Legal liabilities, following manufacturer's specifications and installation instruction. The importance of record keeping.
  • Digital technologies for the transfer and recording of information, BIM, QA systems.
  • The range of working environments including construction, industry, retail, residential, energy and infrastructure; the characteristics and hazards associated with each. Working at height, on the ground and in confined spaces, what constitutes a confined space, the training permits required to enter one and when to apply the principles of working at height.

  Skills

  • Undertake standard tool and equipment checks: Identify and inspect the equipment in accordance with the relevant regulations, report any irregularity, understand PAT testing and recalibration equipment’s, inspection of PPE, inspection of harnesses and roped access equipment, inspection of hand and electrical tools, ladder inspection, vehicle inspection – and adverse weather precautions, first aid kit inspection. Keep accurate records.
  • Install and set up fall protection systems (structural fix, top fix cable system and handrail), ensure the correct materials and equipment to carry out the installation is present in strict accordance with the design, specification and product instructions.
  • Use access and work at height equipment in accordance with training and employer’s/manufacturer’s instructions and relevant regulations: MEWP, safety ladders, horizontal and vertical systems.
  • Interpret design specifications: accurately read engineering drawings, details, specifications, quantities; verify that goods on site match the design, verify that the conditions, materials and structure on site match the design, identyfing omissions
  • Use digital information systems to communicate and record information in accordance with QA systems and specific client requirements.
  • Understand work methods and plan ahead to anticipate potential issues.
  • Measure quantities and stocktake, demonstrating accuracy in on site conditions.
  • Effective communication and team work, be alert and able to alert others to differing site conditions or potential hazards. Escalate issues appropriately.
  • Safe access: Safely select, and utilize the correct equipment for the task and onsite conditions (S5)
  • Carry out dynamic risk assessments.

  Behaviours

  • Promote a positive health, safety & environmental culture through situational awareness and personal example.
  • Apply rigor and attention to detail in all tasks.
  • Take responsibility for own judgments, actions and standards of work, be aware of the limits of their own competence, take initiative for ensuring their own competence is maintained and update
  • Determined to succeed, consistently achieve personal and organisational targets, act to resolve day to day issues, receptive to new ideas and respond well to day-to day challenges.
  • Willing to learn and continually develop, keeping up-to-date with current legislative and industry regulations and guidelines.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Construction and the built environment
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £8,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Fall protection technician

View more information about Fall protection technician (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.