|
Is this a British Standard?
 provides clear evidence
of a Trainer's ability to conduct work at height courses specialising in one
or more of the four Equipment Classes. As such it will
contribute much evidence to show compliance with The Work at Height
Regulations and Section Four of BS 8454. It is not a British Standard in its own right.
top | show all | hide all
How difficult is it for me to achieve this Standard?
The Work at Height Trainer StandardTM is very achievable by committed employees and individuals who are good communicators, have supervisory ability and a current capacity to safely use the specified equipment independent of close supervision.
The emphasis of this programme is to develop and assess safe instructional ability of good quality. Some could achieve the requirements of the Standard within two weeks if everything is already in place but a more reasonable pace might be six weeks to a few months if a candidate has a busy schedule and significant development objectives to achieve.
top | show all | hide all
I am a self employed Trainer. Can I also achieve this Standard?
checks the Trainer's organisational
environment to ensure their working conditions enable them to maintain their
trainer abilities over time. For example; having their activities checked
and monitored by other persons, maintaining links with sources of important
information updates and the ongoing facility to continually refresh
techniques and skills. (Functions supporting the aim of Section Four of
BS8454.)
You will have to show that this essential infrastructure is in place to ensure your abilities remain fresh and developed in the months and years after completing the programme.
The Standard is not more difficult for you to achieve but due to factors relating to economy-of-scale, it will require you to commit a larger fraction of your time and resources to satisfy the criteria and maintain standards so that you can state parity with employees of companies and training organisations. Please call us to find out how you can satisfy these requirements.
top | show all | hide all How long does the Trainer Standard remain valid after achievement?
The Standard is valid for two years as long as the Trainer File is maintained, Continual Professional Development is regularly recorded and the training activity is conducted at an agreed frequency. The Standard can then be renewed through a convenient re evaluation process.
top | show all | hide all
Can The Work at Height Trainer Standard TM accompany me as I move between employers?
Yes, as long as your new employer supports the aims of The Work at Height
Trainer StandardTM and is willing to undertake a small one-off audit to
show evidence that they have the training support infrastructure to help you
remain competent to perform your duties.
Companies who have a prospective employee but do not yet comply with BS 8454 should contact us to discuss alternative ways to maintain the value of this high value asset.
The certificate issued to the Trainer states the organisation within which it is valid. Certificates not transferred to the new organisation will remain dormant until re activated by the transfer process or the validity period ends. The new company will not be allowed to advertise their Trainer’s previous achievements.
top | show all | hide all How can I check the claim of this training company that their trainers hold The Work at Height Trainer Standard TM ?
You can contact Work at Height UK Ltd., providing your own company details together with information regarding where you saw this claim, the name of your prospective training company and the name and registration number of the Trainer nominated to take your course.
top | show all | hide all If a company employs Trainers holding The Work at Height Trainer Standard TM , does this mean they are
complying with BS 8454?
Not necessarily. In time, many training companies will be achieving compliance with BS 8454, which is a Code of Practice for this type of training operation. Companies complying with BS 8454 and specialising in training one of the three Equipment Classes will be required to have competent trainers, a requirement fulfilled by staff holding . If a training company is complying with BS 8454 you can expect them to make a specific statement to this effect.
top | show all | hide all I am an existing Trainer of some years experience. Do I need to go through the whole process?
Yes. But you will probably find the process very worthwhile as some of the requirements of BS 8454 and some of the newly developed training tools and concepts presented on the Workshop will probably enhance your skills and techniques. The rest of the process is a comprehensive evidence gathering exercise managed and implemented by Work at Height UK Ltd.
This very comprehensive evaluation process places beyond doubt your ability to perform a number of safety-critical abilities and give good levels of instruction.
The bottom line is that after investing your time and resources in achieving the Trainer Standard you would not want to join a group of people who had slipped through without undergoing a full verification of their abilities. Clients and employers would not want to see that happening also.
top | show all | hide all If my company achieves BS 8454, do I need my Trainers to hold The Work at Height Trainer StandardTM ?
No, you are free to build your employee's instructional skills using the latest techniques, have their abilities verified by an external party and then gather evidence of:
1. the Trainer’s competence in one or more of the four equipment classes,
2. their experience of Work at Height,
3. their Continual Professional Development,
4. their Instructor Training and ability to undertake risk assessment and
5. their up-to-date Knowledge and Experience in a number of further key areas
by some other means…
top | show all | hide all
How can I add another equipment class to the one I hold already under The Work at Height Trainer StandardTM ?
You need to gain knowledge and hands on experience of the new technique in a safe environment or work as a supervised assistant under an already experienced Trainer before returning for an additional evaluation. Your new equipment class can then be added to your qualification after a short process of evaluation focussing on the additional techniques. Contact us before embarking on this project for advice and assistance.
top | show all | hide all I am already experienced in all four Equipment Classes. What can be done to help me achieve verified
competence in the most economical way?
Give us this information at the outset and be prepared to address all four Equipment Classes in the initial audit. The programme will then be adjusted to fit your personal situation. Duplication of effort will be avoided where possible whilst ensuring the evaluation for each Equipment Class remains rigorous and complete. The cost of the Standard will need to reflect the amount of extra evaluation time required but will be far less than four separate programmes.
top | show all | hide all We manufacture Self Evacuation Kits. Are you saying that your programme qualifies people to train
others in our specialised products?
No. What we are saying is that the person approaching you in this regard has been verified as having the ability and the trainer tools to take the product training and technical information you supply and turn it into a safe and effective training event. Of course, you may also wish to examine other aspects of their organisation and training operation before concluding whether to proceed with licensing the Trainer to train with your kits.
top | show all | hide all Would you be willing to train me in the technique at the same time as I take The Work at Height Trainer StandardTM ?
No. This would undermine the value, purpose and credibility of the Standard. You need to acquire experience* of using the equipment (or similar equipment in all important respects) over time before embarking on this programme to become a verified Trainer, as experience is one of the items you may claim after receiving the Standard. Please contact us to discuss the best way forward for your situation.
*The learning acquired by applying the skill and knowledge in all relevant settings
top | show all | hide all |
