Getting started working at height

Scaffolding, like rigging and dogging, is high risk work. If you want to work with scaffolding, you will need to have the appropriate license to demonstrate that you are capable of working safely at height without causing injury to yourself or to others.

What are the risks of working at height?

Are you unaware of the potential risks that come with working with scaffolding? Do you wonder why it is is necessary to obtain a licence before you are legally allowed to get a job on scaffolding, or dogging or rigging? Most people will accept that it is possible to fall from height and injure or kill yourself but the risks are really much greater than that. It is not just individuals that can fall from heights. Improperly stacked loads, or loads that that being moved with the incorrect loading gear pose a serious danger to anyone moving around on the ground if they fall or become detached from the hoist.

Another issue which any assessor will want to check that you understand is communication with crane operators. There are often occasions when a crane operator will need to move a load while the load is out of the sight of the operator. Not being able to see the load poses a significant problem and to obtain a licence you will need to show that you understand the correct procedure for moving loads in that situation.

How can you get a dogging licence?

To get any high risk licence you will need to be able prove to an assessor from a registered training organisation (RTO) that you have the right knowledge and skills to carry out all the tasks your job will entail. Before you can be tested you will probably need to complete a course of training and satisfy the assessor that you are competent in the selecting and use of lifting gear, communicating with crane operators and everything else that dogging, rigging or working at height involves.

What skills are needed to obtain a scaffolding licence?

If you aren't interested in pursuing a rigging or dogging licence but still want to be able to work at height you will need a scaffolding licence. To obtain a scaffolding licence you will need to demonstrate competency using tube and coupler scaffolds, suspended scaffolds, cantilevered crane loading platforms and hung scaffolds.

Whatever type of licence you need, making contact with a registered training organisation will ensure that you can arrange the training you need to get your licence.