Elevated Work Platform and Working at Heights Course

Lesson 1 • Regulatory Framework and Duty of Care

Covers employer and worker legal obligations under occupational safety regulations. Provides the compliance baseline required before any practical work begins.

Lesson 2 • Understanding Height-Related Hazards

Identifies the primary causes of falls and struck-by incidents at elevation. Connects hazard recognition to injury prevention throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Risk Assessment Principles

Introduces systematic hazard identification and risk scoring methods. Students apply these principles to every subsequent practical scenario in the course.

Lesson 1 • Passive Fall Prevention Controls

Covers guardrails, barriers, and covers that eliminate fall risk without worker action. Establishes passive controls as the preferred option in the hierarchy.

Lesson 2 • Fall Arrest and Restraint Systems

Distinguishes fall restraint from fall arrest and explains when each applies. Students learn anchor requirements, load ratings, and system compatibility.

Lesson 3 • Collective vs. Individual Protection

Compares collective protection measures with individual PPE-based solutions. Students practice selecting the most effective combination for realistic scenarios.

Lesson 1 • EWP Equipment Categories Overview

Classifies scissor lifts, boom lifts, vertical mast climbers, and vehicle-mounted platforms. Provides the equipment vocabulary used throughout all remaining chapters.

Lesson 2 • Matching Equipment to Task Requirements

Applies capacity, reach, and site data to select the optimal EWP for a task. Students complete structured selection exercises using realistic work scenarios.

Lesson 3 • Equipment Capacity and Rated Load

Explains rated load, platform capacity, and the consequences of overloading. Students calculate combined loads including workers, tools, and materials.

Lesson 1 • Identifying and Reporting Defects

Teaches defect classification, tagging-out procedures, and reporting obligations. Connects defect management to the regulatory duties covered in Chapter 1.

Lesson 2 • Outrigger and Stabilizer Setup

Covers correct outrigger deployment, pad placement, and level verification. Improper setup is identified as a leading cause of EWP tip-overs.

Lesson 3 • Establishing a Safe Work Zone

Details exclusion zone sizing, barricading, and signage requirements around an EWP. Students set up a compliant work zone as a practical assessment task.

Lesson 1 • Traveling and Positioning the Platform

Covers safe travel speeds, turning radii, and positioning techniques near work faces. Builds the motor skills required for precise platform placement.

Lesson 2 • Platform Controls and Operating Modes

Explains ground control, platform control, and emergency override functions. Students identify each control before any powered movement is attempted.

Lesson 3 • Lowering, Parking, and Shutdown

Details the correct sequence for descending, parking, and securing an EWP after use. Proper shutdown prevents unauthorized use and equipment damage.

Lesson 1 • Collision and Proximity Hazards

Covers spotter communication, blind spot management, and safe distances from other plant and workers. Students practice spotter signals and stop commands.

Lesson 2 • Ground and Structural Hazards

Addresses voids, soft fill, floor loading limits, and unstable surfaces encountered during operation. Links ground assessment skills from Chapter 3 to active monitoring.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Hazard Awareness

Identifies overhead power line clearance distances and safe approach procedures. Electrical contact is highlighted as a leading cause of EWP fatalities.

Lesson 1 • Developing a Rescue Plan

Guides students through writing a site-specific EWP rescue plan with assigned roles. The completed plan serves as a practical assessment deliverable.

Lesson 2 • Emergency Scenarios and Responses

Categorizes EWP emergencies including entrapment, power failure, and tip-over. Students map the correct initial response action for each scenario type.

Lesson 3 • Suspension Trauma Awareness

Explains the physiological dangers of prolonged harness suspension and first-aid priorities. Students recognize symptoms and apply correct positioning after rescue.

Lesson 1 • Practical Operating Assessment

Evaluates pre-start inspection, setup, operation, and shutdown against a standardized checklist. Assessors observe and score each task element independently.

Lesson 2 • Certification Requirements and Renewal

Outlines competency card issuance, validity periods, and refresher training obligations. Students understand what triggers early renewal and how to maintain currency.

Lesson 3 • Hazard Identification Practical

Presents a staged work site with embedded hazards for students to identify and control. Tests the applied risk assessment skills built across all core chapters.