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Working at Heights Training
Working at heights training for any fall risk, from ladders to harnesses and rescue
$90 +GST per person ($103.50)
4 x $22.50
Working at Heights Training
Working at heights training for any fall risk, from ladders to harnesses and rescue
Understand safe working at height: finding the risks, planning, equipment and rescue.
Falls from height are a leading cause of serious injury and death in New Zealand workplaces. Your business must manage every fall risk, at any height. This working at heights course is up to date with WorkSafe New Zealand's Working at Height Good Practice Guidelines, published in August 2026.
After the course, you will be able to:
- spot the fall risks in a job
- plan the task and choose the right controls
- choose, check and look after the right equipment
- plan a rescue if someone falls
- know when work must be notified to WorkSafe
The course covers the places you are most likely to work at height:
- ladders and stepladders
- scaffolding
- mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), such as scissor lifts and boom lifts
- temporary work platforms
- roofs and fragile surfaces
It also covers getting on and off a work area safely, edge protection, harnesses, anchor points, static lines, fall clearance and suspension intolerance.
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What is a working at heights course?
A working at heights course teaches you how to stay safe when you could fall and be hurt. DT Training's Working at Heights course is online. It covers how to find fall risks, plan the job, choose the right equipment and plan a rescue. You get a certificate when you pass. People also call it a working at heights ticket, height safety training or fall protection training.
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Is there a minimum height for working at height in New Zealand?
No. There is no minimum height for working at height in New Zealand. WorkSafe New Zealand's Working at Height Good Practice Guidelines (August 2026) say you must manage any fall risk, from any height. WorkSafe recommends physical barriers or fall restraint for any possible fall of more than 1 metre.
The "3-metre rule" is wrong. It came from the Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995, which no longer apply. Work where someone could fall 5 metres or more must be notified to WorkSafe at least 24 hours before it starts, with some exceptions. The Working at Heights course explains both rules.
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Who needs working at heights training?
Anyone who could fall while working needs working at heights training. That includes work on ladders, roofs, scaffolding, platforms and the backs of trucks. The Working at Heights course suits:
- tradespeople, such as builders, plumbers, electricians, painters and roofers
- installers, such as solar panel and glazing installers
- maintenance workers, such as heating and air conditioning, utility and lighting technicians
- building cleaners
- architects and building inspectors
- arborists
- supervisors and managers who plan or check work at height
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Does the Working at Heights course cover putting up scaffolding?
No. The Working at Heights course covers working safely on scaffolding, for example as a painter, builder or plumber. It covers the checks to make before you use a scaffold. It does not teach you how to put up, change or take down scaffolding. You need a scaffolding course for that.
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Does the Working at Heights course cover working on roofs?
Yes. The Working at Heights course covers working on roofs and on brittle or fragile surfaces. It covers checks before work starts, types of roofs and their hazards, and working around fixtures. It does not cover installing roofs. The two roof modules are optional, so a manager can turn them off for staff who never work on roofs.
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Is the Working at Heights course the same as an EWP course?
No. The Working at Heights course has a short module on mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), such as scissor lifts and boom lifts. It explains the main safety rules. It does not train someone to operate one. MEWP operators need elevating work platform (EWP) training, such as DT Training's EWP operator's certificate course. Working at heights training covers the other fall risks, such as ladders, roofs, harnesses and rescue planning.
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Can a new worker use the Working at Heights course?
Yes, for the theory. The Working at Heights course gives a new worker the knowledge they need before they work at height. It does not replace hands-on training. WorkSafe's 2026 guidelines say untrained workers must be supervised by a competent person. A new worker should practise with the equipment under supervision. Their supervisor can then check their skills with the practical checklist in the course.
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Can you do working at heights training online in New Zealand?
Yes, for the theory. DT Training's Working at Heights course is online, and New Zealand law does not say this training must be in a classroom. The business chooses training that suits the work (Health and Safety at Work Act 2015). Practical skills still need to be checked at work. The course includes a checklist so a supervisor can do this.
Doing the theory online means trainees don't lose a day off site. They can repeat modules as often as they need. Video subtitles come in 25 languages and questions in 76. Managers can turn off modules that don't apply.
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Is working at heights training a legal requirement in New Zealand?
Yes. In New Zealand, a business must give workers the training they need to work safely at height. DT Training's Working at Heights course is one way to do this. The main duty is in section 36 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015. Regulation 9 of the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 also says businesses must give workers information, training and instruction.
The law does not name a course. The business chooses training that suits the work. WorkSafe New Zealand's good practice guidelines, Working at height in New Zealand, explain how to meet these duties. They are guidance, not law. A business that does things differently must be able to show its way is just as safe. The Working at Heights course follows these guidelines.
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Are unit standards compulsory for working at heights in New Zealand?
No. Unit standards are not compulsory for working at heights in New Zealand, and DT Training's Working at Heights course does not award them. Unit standards are one way to show competence. You can choose other training that meets or exceeds the same standard.
WorkSafe's 2026 guidelines name three unit standards:
- 23229, Use safety harness system when working at height
- 15757, Use, install and disestablish temporary proprietary height safety systems when working at height (for fall arrest work)
- 23232, Prepare an emergency rescue plan and perform a rescue to recover a suspended individual after a fall in a work context
Unit standards 17600 and 25045 are also common. If a worker already holds unit standards, the course works well as a refresher.
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Will sites accept a working at heights certificate from an online course?
Most employers accept the Working at Heights course certificate, but some sites need more. Some principal contractors and site entry systems ask for NZQA unit standards from an accredited provider. Check the site's rules before the work starts. The course does not award unit standards, but can also be used as a refresher for workers who already hold unit standards.
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How long is a working at heights certificate valid in New Zealand?
WorkSafe New Zealand recommends refreshing working at heights training every two years. This is in its good practice guidelines, Working at height in New Zealand. It is a recommendation, not a legal rule. If you choose a longer gap, you need to show your approach keeps people just as safe. DT Training recommends repeating the Working at Heights course every two years. This matters even more for people who don't work at height often.
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Can I train my entire team using the Working at Heights course?
Yes. You'll need to purchase one course licence per trainee, then assign them to the trainees. The benefits are that everyone will be on the same page, and training together can encourage conversation that leads to improved work practices.
You can divide trainees into groups and assign managers to help manage them. As trainees finish a course, it will write a training record with a reminder for when to do a refresher.
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Does the Working at Heights course include a practical assessment?
Yes, but it's optional. DT Training recommends the practical assessment in the Working at Heights course. A supervisor or manager at your workplace uses the checklist in the course to check that the trainee can work at height safely. They then fill in the verification form. The trainee then gets a Working at Heights operator's certificate and ID card. The ID card can be saved to Google Wallet or Apple Wallet.
WorkSafe's guidelines say harness skills should be checked on the job by a competent supervisor.
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Do all trainees have to do every module in the Working at Heights course?
No. In the Working at Heights course, a manager can turn off modules that don't apply to a trainee. The optional modules are:
- Scaffolding
- Mobile elevating work platforms
- Static lines
- Working on roofs
- Working with brittle or fragile surfaces
- Working near power lines
Together, they are about 30 minutes. If you buy the course for yourself, all modules are compulsory. To pass, you must get 100% in every module you take.
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What do you get with the Working at Heights course?
The Working at Heights course includes:
- 24 video modules you can repeat as often as you need
- a practical assessment checklist and verification form for your supervisor
- WorkSafe's 2026 good practice guidelines
- a certificate of achievement when you finish the theory
- a Working at Heights operator's certificate and ID card once your supervisor validates your practical assessment (the ID card can be saved to Google Wallet or Apple Wallet)
- video subtitles and translated questions
- free setup and support, with tools to assign, track and report on your team
You can study on a computer, tablet or phone, including the free iOS and Android app. Access lasts 6 months.
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How long does the Working at Heights course take?
The Working at Heights course takes around 3 hours, depending on the trainee. If a manager turns off the optional modules, it takes about 30 minutes less. You can spread it over several days.
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How do I access and use the Working at Heights course?
To take the Working at Heights course:
- You will need one course licence per trainee taking the course. You can't use one licence for several trainees.
- You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training.
- To get the ID card and Working at Heights operator's certificate, the trainee takes a practical assessment at work after the theory modules. All instructions are in the course.
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Can I take the Working at Heights course in another language?
- Video subtitles/captions are available for all videos. Choose the language in the video.
- Questions: 76 languages are available - check the language option at the top of the page (note that written answers must be in English).
- Question audio: play audio of every question in English
- Documents: English
- Some captions are AI-generated and, as such, may have occasional errors.
$90 +GST per person ($103.50)
4 x $22.50
Course provided by DT Training
DT Training (DT Vehicle and Workplace Training) is New Zealand's largest provider of online vehicle and workplace training. Since 2010, it has offered courses in driver training, forklifts and machinery, dangerous goods, and health and safety. It is part of TR Group.
What our clients say
The working at heights course is impressive. It saves time and is easy to use. We recommend it to others.
We are quite isolated, so the convenience and flexibility of being able to complete Working at Heights training online is hugely beneficial. The course contains critical information applicable to both our new and experienced operators.
The course worked well for me, having previous experience helped with my understanding of the material provided within the course. Overall, the course was good and provided all the information needed.
This course can be tailored to your trainees. Some modules are included, but optional - they can be disabled if not required. See below.
Training modules
Working at Heights
Work your way through the following modules. You can do them in any order but we suggest starting at the beginning and doing them in order-
Explains the fundamentals of working at height in New Zealand, covering what constitutes working at height, common misconceptions, key statistics about workplace falls, and an overview of the safety principles and controls required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.7 minutes
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Your rights and obligations under the HSWA2015, whether you're a PCBU, officer, worker or contractor5 minutes
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The key legislation, standards, and best practice guidelines for working at height in New Zealand, including WorkSafe's Best Practice Guidelines and essential standards such as AS/NZS 1891 for fall-arrest systems and AS/NZS 1576 for scaffolding.4 minutes
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The essential process of hazard identification for working at height, covering the major categories of hazards to watch for, methods of identification, and the importance of ongoing hazard monitoring and documentation.8 minutes
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The five essential steps of risk assessment for working at height, showing how to evaluate potential hazards, determine who might be harmed, implement appropriate controls, document findings, and maintain ongoing review of safety measures.7 minutes
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The six key elements of planning safe work at height, exploring how to analyse tasks, assess risks, select controls, develop safe work method statements, plan for emergencies, and account for weather conditions to ensure work is carried out safely.5 minutes
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WorkSafe notification requirements when working at height in New Zealand, covering the three types of notifiable events, what constitutes particular hazardous work requiring advance notification, and clarifying the common misconception about the '3-metre rule'.10 minutes
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The critical aspects of safe access and egress when working at height, examining different access methods, key safety considerations, common hazards, and essential control measures to ensure workers can safely reach and exit their work areas.8 minutes
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The safe use of ladders when working at height, covering different ladder types, essential safety considerations for selection and setup, proper usage techniques, and how to control common hazards through practical examples and real worker experiences.8 minutes
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Scaffolding Included, but optionalThis module explores scaffolding as a key control measure for working at height, covering legal requirements, safe working practices, specific considerations for mobile scaffolds, and essential inspection protocols7 minutes
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Mobile elevating work platforms Included, but optionalSafe operation, key safety requirements, and essential practices for different types of platforms.2 minutes
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Key safety considerations, minimum specifications, and what not to use when creating temporary platforms.3 minutes
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The main types, key components and measurements, installation requirements, and best practices5 minutes
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The different types of systems (fall restraint, work positioning, and fall arrest), key components like harnesses and lanyards, and essential safety considerations9 minutes
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How to calculate required clearances, understand swing fall risks, and implement best practices to ensure fall arrest systems can function safely.7 minutes
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Static lines Included, but optionalDescribing static line systems for continuous fall protection, explaining their purpose, design requirements, and essential installation criteria including specifications for strength, spacing, and safety considerations.4 minutes
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The critical danger of suspension trauma when suspended in a fall protection harness, detailing how quickly it can occur, the physiological effects, rescue priorities, and crucial first aid steps depending on whether the person is conscious or unconscious.2 minutes
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Working on roofs Included, but optionalEssential pre-work assessments, different types of roofs and their specific hazards, and various safety measures including how to work safely around fixtures and handle different roofing materials.5 minutes
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Working with brittle or fragile surfaces Included, but optionalHow to identify and assess these materials, implement essential safety measures, and handle specific types of fragile surfaces.7 minutes
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Working near power lines Included, but optionalSafety requirements when working at height near power lines, Minimum Approach Distances (MAD), essential pre-work procedures, necessary precautions for equipment use, and emergency procedures if contact occurs.5 minutes
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The importance of effective communication when working at height; different communication methods, essential practices for clear communication, and crucial protocols for emergency situations.3 minutes
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Why quick rescue is crucial, the key components of a rescue plan, exploring different rescue methods, equipment requirements, and specific rescue scenarios.7 minutes
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Different types of inspections, specific checks for various equipment types, maintenance procedures, and clear criteria for when to retire equipment from service.9 minutes
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The importance of proper documentation for working at height, essential records that must be maintained, and best practices for effective record keeping to ensure compliance and workplace safety3 minutes
Working at Heights Training
Working at heights training for any fall risk, from ladders to harnesses and rescue
$90 +GST per person ($103.50)
4 x $22.50