General:

Vertical Horizonz Australia has recently developed a Training package in Fall Arrest Systems which has been nationally accredited (30470QLD) by the Queensland Training Recognition Council as fulfilling a need within the Training Industry. To arrive at this point VHA did research within the Construction and the Workplace Health and Safety Industries, and realized that quality based, safety at heights training, was a market that needed to be addressed. We then developed our course to meet the market needs. The course consists of theory and practical ‘hands-on’ training, normally held at the clients workplace, but can be held at other sites if required. This training is competency based.

An Overview of Competency-based training

Australia has been developing and implementing a competency-based training system for the past decade or more. Competency-based training is probably the most critical feature, which distinguishes the Australian vocational education and training from many other vocational education and training systems.

The aim of competency-based training is to ensure that vocational education and training programmes better meet the needs of industry and Australia’s enterprises.

The industry training organisation network in Australia, consisting of Industry Training Advisory Bodies (ITABs), has been heavily involved in:

• identifying the competencies required by industry from formal training at different levels
• developing industry competency standards for each training programme with a system of national training packages for each industry
• identifying the qualifications that are included in each industries national training package
  
• developing assessment guidelines for assessing whether or not required competencies specified in national training packages have been achieved by each student.
  

More information on Competency based training can be found on the following website:

http://www.ncver.edu.au/statistics/aag/aus2000/cbt.htm

Elements that are covered on our course: Students that are deemed as competent will have the skills and knowledge too: Interpret the OH&S Act (1985), codes of Practice and other controlling regulations relating to safety at heights. Select, log and maintain safety equipment (ropes, harnesses etc.) Know the limitations of equipment as well as being able to set up safe systems for each application required. Identify fall hazards in the workplace and know what systems of control to use in order to manage them. Be able to actively participate in amending safe operating procedures and health and safety policies for their companies if required. Have the skills and knowledge to take responsibly for their own actions or inactions in the workplace.

Why is training important? (The answer to this question is twofold):

Firstly, working at heights has one of the highest death and serious injury incidents in the construction industry, not only in Australia, but Worldwide. This is partly because of the “She’ll be right” attitude, or “I've been doing this for years, and never had a problem” This lack of knowledge and indifferent attitude has cost the industry greatly.

Secondly, each of us has a “DUTY OF CARE” towards each other and to ourselves, Employers who choose to ignore this are putting their workers and their business and family at risk, in saying that I mean:

• Putting their worker at risk by not giving them the skills and knowledge to carry out their tasks safely, endangering themselves and other staff on the work-site as well as any members of the public that happen to be near.
• Putting your business at risk, this relates to money, no business can continue if they are either shut down by OH&S or unable to continue due to lack of finances. The fines involved from incidents that occur at heights are high; most small business would cease to function.
  
• Putting your family or the families of your employees at risk, this can happen due to lack of funds, after being prosecuted and/or sued, or even the loss of a loved one & sole family provider, which causes major problems on the home front.
  

You can check out the OH&S Act on the following web site: www.austlii.edu.au.

Our Instructors/Assessors

Vertical Horizonz Australia has a very strict policy when it comes to instructors delivering any training on our behalf. All instructors have got to have an industry background, have a good attitude and believe in the subject they are teaching. They must also have:

• Qualified on Certificate 4 in workplace Assessment and Training.
  
• Have completed and gained competency for our Vertical Horizonz Australia “Train the Trainer” course; then
  
• They are assessed by either the General Manager or the Chairman/CEO of Vertical Horizonz Australia on the first two courses that they deliver, before they are allowed to train and assess on their own.
  
  

Vertical Horizonz Australia is in the business of Safety and the product that we sell is QUALITY.

Course Objectives The objectives of this course are to develop the knowledge, skill and attitude of personnel involved in working at heights within the building and construction industry, we do this by: Interpret the health and safety Act and regulations, Select and maintain safety equipment, Knots Identify and employ anchors, Employ fall arrest systems, and Plan rescue techniques.

Course Assessment – All courses delivered by Vertical Horizonz Australia Pty Ltd have Assessments prior to an award (certificate) being issued. The assessment may take the form of: -

• Working in a simulated working environment
  
• Scenario Based Assessment
  
• The use of a written assessment
  
• Theory/oral Quizzes
  
• Practical application/demonstration
  

They will need to show their assessor that they are competent in the particular area being assessed.

English levels –

The course will be conducted in English.

Attached to the Student Enrolment form is a short Literacy and Numeracy Test that must be completed by all students at the commencement of the course.

Vertical Horizonz Australia Pty Ltd realises that Australia is a very diverse and multi cultural society with persons coming from a variety of different language backgrounds. If you have an English language impairment, please contact, the Vertical Horizonz office (contact details: Phone 07 3488 0184) so that allowable adjustments can be organised.

Support Services – If any student has difficulty with any aspect of the course, you will be able to ask the trainer for extra assistance at any non-lecturing time including access to welfare, social services and Government authorities.

If required you may also ring our office with any queries relating to the course or any difficulties you may have regarding your participation on any course.

1. Between normal working hours of 8.30am and 5.00pm.
2. Questions can be written down and faxed to our head office as detailed above.
3. Questions can also be mailed to the address above.

In all cases if you would like an Instructor to contact you please let us know your contact details and a convenient contact time.

Equal Opportunity – Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is in place to ensure that all workplaces are free from all forms of harassment and to provide for persons of EEO groups to overcome and past or current disadvantages. Vertical Horizonz Australia Pty Ltd takes its responsibility to all of the matters very seriously and will ensure that any person not conforming will be counseled appropriately. Flexible Learning and Assessment – Vertical Horizonz Australia’s course is designed to cater for a wide variety of learning methods, e.g. Resource Books, Power Point Presentation, Practical Demonstrations, Problem solving exercises and Student Participation. The assessment is also flexible in that it consists of a written examination, practical assessment and group tasking. Should a student have learning difficulties alternative arrangements can be made for delivery and assessment, by contacting the Course Instructor at the commencement of the course or by contacting the Vertical Horizonz Australia head office or The office of Australian Height Safety Services (AHSS) on 1300 850 121 or fax 03 9718 2088.