Working at Height
Avoiding height work, preventing falls, selecting access, protecting edges and fragile surfaces, and controlling falling objects.
How to prepare for the CITB Operatives test
Connect hazard recognition with safe action: stop, protect, follow the site system and escalate to the right competent person.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; otherwise prevent falls with suitable collective protection before relying on personal systems.
Exam cue: Ask whether the task can be completed from ground level or a safer place.
Concept 2
Access equipment must be selected for the task, duration, load and conditions, erected and inspected by competent people where required.
Exam cue: Use a ladder only where the risk assessment shows more protective equipment is not justified and the ladder can be used safely.
Concept 3
Open edges, holes, fragile surfaces and falling objects need physical protection, exclusion and disciplined material control.
Exam cue: Stop when platforms, guardrails, covers, anchors or weather conditions are outside the planned arrangement.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Standing on a makeshift platform or top rung to gain a little extra reach.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Relying on a warning sign at an unprotected edge.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Walking on a roof surface because it appears solid.
Guardrail: Do not solve a missing guard, isolation, barrier, competent plan or engineering control only with a warning or PPE.
Memory anchors
Avoid, Prevent, Minimise
Follow the work-at-height hierarchy in that order.
Collective Before Personal
Guardrails and platforms protect without depending on individual action.
Fragile Until Proven
Do not trust the appearance of a roof or covering.
Three Points Need Stability
Ladder contact helps only when the ladder is suitable, secured and used for an appropriate task.
Protect Below
Control tools and materials and exclude people from falling-object zones.
Weather Can Stop Work
Wind, rain, ice or poor visibility may invalidate the safe method.
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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