Work at Height
Avoidance, prevention and mitigation of falls; equipment selection; fragile surfaces; inspection and rescue.
How to prepare for the CITB MAP test
Build manager-level decisions around role, prevention, coordination, verification and learning rather than memorising isolated site rules.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Work at height is avoided where reasonably practicable, then falls are prevented before consequences are mitigated.
Exam cue: Ask whether the task can be completed from ground level or designed out.
Concept 2
Collective protection takes priority over personal systems, and equipment selection reflects task, duration and environment.
Exam cue: Choose a properly designed working platform before personal fall protection where practicable.
Concept 3
Fragile surfaces, falling objects, weather, inspection and rescue require planned control.
Exam cue: Plan rescue before anyone relies on a fall-arrest system.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Choosing a ladder because the task is quick without assessing suitability.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Relying on a harness without an anchor, clearance and rescue plan.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Assuming roof material will support a person's weight.
Guardrail: Do not solve a design, engineering or organisational failure only with a briefing, warning sign or PPE.
Memory anchors
Avoid, Prevent, Mitigate
Follow the work-at-height hierarchy in that order.
Collective Before Personal
Guardrails and platforms protect everyone without individual action.
Ladder Only When Suitable
Use it for appropriate low-risk, short-duration work with secure setup.
Fragile Means Protect
Prevent access or provide platforms, coverings, guardrails and warnings.
Inspect After Change
Check equipment after assembly, alteration, damage or conditions that may affect safety.
Rescue Before Arrest
A fall-arrest plan is incomplete without prompt recovery arrangements.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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