This paper discussed the industry perspective of the work at height competency framework. The paper took a holistic view of the work at height competency framework and take into account both the passive and active work at height protection systems.

1. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 1
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WAH Competency Requirements –
Industry Perspective
Goh Chye Guan
Managing Director
WAH Academy
1
8 May 2013, Marina Bay Sands
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Scope
1. Introduction and Background
2. WAH Landscape
3. WAH Competency to Enable WAH Safety
4. Conclusion
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2. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 2
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1. Introduction and Background
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1. Background
The need to better manage work at heights:
“… WAH fatalities has fallen more than 35% from
27 in 2009 to 17 in 2012. WAH remains the top
cause of work fatalities. More must be done to
prevent falls.”
Mr Hawazi Daipi, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education
and Manpower ProBE Plus Forum, 4 April 2013

3. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 3
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26 Dec 2012, Zaobao
5
A worker was killed after falling 27-storey
from a building under construction. He was
plastering the exterior wall of the building
before the accident.
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A service engineer fell
more than 9m to his death
while trying to fix an
audio visual projector
system at the indoor
Stadium.
10 Jan, 2013, ST
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4. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 4
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The Iron Workers from America
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Vision
Zero Fatalities and Injuries
Strategy 1
Greater WAH Awareness
Strategy 2
Strong WAH Capabilities
Strategy 3
Enhanced Regulatory Framework
Reduced Fatality and
Injury Rates
FPP for all Workplaces
Enhanced Productivity
and Business Outcome
Strategic Outcomes
Strategies
Our National WAH Vision
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5. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 5
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Design &
conduct
summative
evaluation
Design &
conduct
formative
evaluation
Develop
instructional
materials
Develop
instructional
strategies
Develop
criterion
standards
Write
performance
objectives
Identify
instructional
goals
Identify
entry
behaviours
Conduct
instructional
analysis
Revise instruction
Dick and Carey’s Systems Approach Model For Instructional Design
Consult,
Validate,
Feedback,
and Pilot
Courses
9
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WAH Conference
14 to 15 Sep 2012
Singapore Expo
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© 2013 WAH Academy 6
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USASingapore UK
Roofs
Ladders
Scaffolds
Roofs
Ladders
Scaffolds and MEWPs
Structures
Roofs
Ladders
Work Platforms
• Mainly
Construction
• Mainly
Construction
• 80% were lower
level falls
• Mainly
Construction &
Marine
• Rise in
Manufacturing and
Logistics
Comparison of WAH Accident Trends and Agencies
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2. WAH Landscape
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7. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 7
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WAH Landscape
WAH Performance
1. Accident Statistics
2. Accident Trends
3. Accident Agencies
National Strategy
1. Promotion
2. Capability Building
3. Regulatory Framework
WAH Competency
1. Competency Framework
2. Training Courses
Design and Planning for Safety
1. Elimination of Risk at Source
2. Dedicated WAH Solutions
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3. The Competency Framework
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© 2013 WAH Academy 8
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Worker
Basic WAH knowledge &
understanding
Supervisor
Ensures implementation
of fall prevention
measures
Assessor
Evaluates effectiveness of
measures implemented
Manager
Ensures that systems &
processes are in place
WAH
Competency
Framework
The Generic WAH Competency
Framework
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Program Manager
Qualified Person
Competent Person
Authorised Person
Manager
Assessor
Supervisor
Worker
USASingapore UKAustralia
Height Safety Manager
Height Safety Inspector
Height Safety Supervisor
Height Safety Operator
Competent Person
Worker
Comparison of Designated
WAH Personnel

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© 2013 WAH Academy 9
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WAH Training Courses Available
• 5-day Qualified Fall Protection Person
Training
• 5-day Competent Person Training
• 2.5-day Managed Fall Protection Person
Training
USA
Australia
Height Safety Supervisor Course
(2-day)
Roof Access Training Course (2-
day)
Industrial Rope Access Training
(5-day)
5-day Fall Protection for
Engineers
Germany
Module 1: Height Equipment / Appreciation &
Inspection
Module 2: Fall Arrest
Module 3: Work At Height
Module 4: Advance Work At Height
Module 5: Rescue From Tower, Mast and
Structures
Module 6: Rooftop Safety/ Work Restraint
(Total: 23 hrs)
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Qualifying the WAH Manager – the UK Approach
How to Successfully Manage Working at Height
Neil Tomlinson
Director, Access Industry Forum
WAH Conference 14 to 15 Sep 201218

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© 2013 WAH Academy 10
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WAH Competency Requirement
Active Fall Protection System
• Workers
• Supervisors
• Assessors
• Managers
• Engineers/Designers
Passive Fall Protection System*
• Workers
• Supervisors
• Assessors
• Managers
• Engineers / Designers
• Design and Planning
• Edge Protection
• Safety Netting
• Catch Platform
• Rescues and Emergency Response
• Use of PPE / Emergency Response
• Rope Access
• Roof Access
• Tower Climbing
• Aerial Lifts / MEWPs
• Tower Scaffold
• Scaffold
• Suspended Access
• Rescues and Emergency Response
* Passive fall protection systems do not require the use of PPE or active
participation from the worker
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4. Conclusion
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11. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 11
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Safety is an Investment
Competent People
Engineering and Equipment
Design for Safety
1. Software
2. Hardware
3. Heartware
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Dedicated WAH Solutions (Post-Design):
Case Study
Problem:
• Safe cleaning was not considered during design phase
• Building has many overhanging / cantilevered shades
• The sunshields prevent typical methods to clean the windows
• The sunshield would push the rope of the descending window cleaner
away
• Share edges would damage the rope

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© 2013 WAH Academy 12
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Solution:
• Specially designed solutions
• Combination of several solutions
• Example gondola on the roof, rigid rail system, and horizontal
lifelines ... etc
• Development of a specific window cleaning plan with service and
trained personnel to perform the tasks
Dedicated WAH Solutions (Post-Design):
Case Study
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Dedicated WAH Solutions – Case Studies
1. Workers need to access the top of aircraft to
perform maintenance and inspection
2. Workers are exposed to fall hazards from 25 to 65
feet (8 to 20 metres) depending on location on
the aircraft
Problem:
• Existing lanyard was found to be out of compliance in
terms of maximum arrest force and deployment
lengths
Solution:
• Specially developed lanyard
• Specific testing procedure for the pin and receptacle
• Worked on compatibility issues in the lanyard and pin
• Development of a dedicated lanyard system

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© 2013 WAH Academy 13
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Specially designed building maintenance system
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Retractable cat
ladder with cage

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© 2013 WAH Academy 14
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Training Facilities
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Engineering

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© 2013 WAH Academy 15
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Testing
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Equipment

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© 2013 WAH Academy 16
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Reflection:
Think about 3-5 areas
where you have
concerns related to
work at heights.
Write your areas of
concerns on a piece of
paper.
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17. 8 May 2013
© 2013 WAH Academy 17
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