RIIWHS204E Work Safely at Heights - Refresher Course
Update your skills and knowledge for safe work at heights in WA mining and construction industries with our comprehensive refresher course.
Course Overview
Course Design
This refresher course is designed for workers in the Western Australian mining and construction industries who need to update their skills and knowledge under the nationally recognised unit RIIWHS204E – Work Safely at Heights. With updates to legislation, industry practices, and safety expectations since the unit's release, this course helps ensure continued compliance and personal safety when performing work at height.
Course Benefits
Participants will explore real WA incident case studies, review legislative updates, refresh key risk management strategies, and complete hands-on reassessment tasks. The course supports both legal obligations and best practice expectations set by Safe Work Australia, DMIRS, and site-level requirements.
Who Should Enrol?
1
Mine site workers who perform tasks at heights
2
Supervisors or safety observers overseeing height work
3
Shutdown and maintenance crews
4
Contractors accessing platforms, scaffolding, or EWPs
5
Anyone whose competency under RIIWHS204E is due for refresher (recommended every 2–3 years)
Course Purpose
Legal Compliance
Maintain legal compliance and site competency for working at heights
Safety Systems
Apply current safety systems, PPE, and risk control measures
Incident Learning
Learn from recent incident trends and understand root causes
Emergency Response
Respond effectively in height-related emergencies and drills
Documentation
Update documentation practices, including JSAs, SWMS, and inspection records
Learning Outcomes
1
Hazard Recognition
Describe key hazards and control measures for working at heights
2
Equipment Proficiency
Recognise and use updated fall protection equipment
3
Legislative Awareness
Identify changes in WHS legislation and site compliance expectations
4
Work Planning
Plan and monitor work using updated JSAs and safe work methods
5
Emergency Response
Respond to emergencies involving suspended workers
6
Practical Skills
Demonstrate practical skills in fitting PPE and setting up exclusion zones
Course Modules
1
Module 1: Introduction and Course Purpose
  • Overview of the RIIWHS204E unit and refresher requirements
  • Training Package Unit Mapping Report changes
  • Legal and site-based compliance expectations
  • Goals and learning outcomes for refresher participants
2
Module 2: Industry Incident Trends and Lessons Learned
  • Review of real WA case studies (2022–2025): ladder falls, scaffold shifts, mobile plant injuries
  • Root cause analysis: what actually failed—communication, planning, PPE
  • Reflection on what has changed since 2020 and the new industry culture
3
Module 3: Updated Legislative and Regulatory Requirements
  • Summary of WHS (Mines) Regulations 2022 (WA) updates
  • Legal responsibilities for individuals and organisations
  • Revised licensing expectations across states and sites
  • Compliance responsibilities for RTOs, learners, and employers
4
Module 4: Risk Management and Safety Systems Review
  • Refresher on hazard identification and pre-task assessment
  • Updated hierarchy of control (engineering before PPE)
  • New fall protection systems: SRLs, smart harnesses, digital anchors
  • Site-specific safe work procedures and JSA integration
5
Module 5: Equipment – Updates, Inspection and Maintenance
  • Current Australian standards for height PPE (AS/NZS 1891)
  • Latest innovations in fall protection gear
  • Visual inspection, tagging, and retirement protocols
  • Best practices for storing and maintaining harnesses and equipment
6
Module 6: Emergency Planning and Incident Response
  • Site requirements for retrieval planning and rescue gear access
  • Suspension trauma awareness and time-critical response
  • Review of emergency response failures and improvements
  • Modern communication and alert systems
7
Module 7: Reinforced Safe Work Procedures
  • What's changed in ladders, EWPs, and scaffold procedures
  • Tool lanyards, securing materials, and drop zone management
  • Manual handling at height and situational awareness
  • Safe relocation of gear and maintaining controls throughout the task
8
Module 8: Practical Reassessment Tasks
  • Hands-on refresher activities: harness fitting, equipment checks
  • Setting up barricades and exclusion zones
  • Toolbox talks using recent incident data
  • Emergency simulation drill (verbal or physical response)
9
Module 9: Updated Documentation and Record Keeping
  • Current JSA/SWMS inclusions and site-specific procedures
  • Maintenance logs for PPE, anchor points, and access systems
  • PPE inspection records and digital tracking systems
  • Audit preparation and keeping evidence for compliance
Interactive Learning Approach
Interactive Activities
Engage with hands-on exercises and group discussions
Practical Examples
Learn through real-world scenarios and case studies
Scenario-Based Learning
Apply knowledge through realistic workplace situations
On-the-Job Application
Transfer skills directly to your workplace environment
Each module includes interactive activities, practical examples, and scenario-based learning to support understanding and on-the-job application.