Work at height on productions

URN: SKSTTL36
Business Sectors (Suites): Theatre and Live Productions – Technical
Developed by: ScreenSkills
Approved on: 2025

Overview

This standard is about working at height including the precautions necessary to maintain your own safety and that of others whilst you carry out your work.

It includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) and personal fall protection systems (PFPS) in line with legislation and procedures or method statements. This will also involve putting procedures in place for emergencies.

This standard is for anyone working at height on productions.


Performance criteria

You must be able to:

  1. obtain permits to work at height
  2. carry out risk assessment in line with legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice
  3. check work area for obstructions that may interfere and cause restrictions in work at height or using personal fall protection systems
  4. exclude unrequired and unauthorised people from work areas before commencing work
  5. identify suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and PFPS for site conditions and the work being carried out
  6. carry out pre-use checks to ensure that PPE, PFPS and access equipment is functioning in line with manufacturer’s instructions, legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice
  7. report damage or modification to PPE and PFPS equipment to relevant people
  8. locate suitable anchor points for PFPS in line with legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice and method statements
  9. follow an agreed plan to work at height in line with legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice and method statements
  10. identify and take action to address hazards and risks arising during work
  11. maintain communication with team members
  12. leave work areas clean, safe, tidy and free of obstructions and potential hazards
  13. use, inspect and store work equipment, PFPS and PPE in line with manufacturers’ instructions
  14. refer problems and conditions outside own responsibility to authorised people

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. legislation, organisational requirements and codes of practice for work at height including those relating to using equipment at height
  2. your individual responsibility for using safe working practices and procedures when working at height, and maintaining safe workplace conditions
  3. how to complete pre-use checks of PPE and work equipment used for work at height including modifications or defects
  4. risks associated with working at height including falling, dropping tools and debris, the stability of access equipment, the working area, equipment, and other people in the vicinity
  5. risks associated with hauling, transporting or handling objects at height and how to control them
  6. the importance of maintaining communication with team members
  7. approved workplace procedures and practices for controlling risks to health and safety, preparing for working at height and using access equipment, PFPS and PPE
  8. how to keep risks in working at height to a minimum, including the hierarchy of controls relating to working at height
  9. types of PFPS and the differences between fall arrest, work positioning and work restraint
  10. how anchor points identified for PPE and PFPS should be used
  11. the importance of leaving work areas clean, safe, tidy and free of obstructions and potential hazards
  12. the importance of correct storage conditions for PFPS and PPE
  13. the agreed procedures and techniques for rescue, emergency at height or other incidents
  14. the importance of referring problems and conditions outside of own responsibility to the authorised people

Scope/range


Scope Performance


Scope Knowledge


Values


Behaviours


Skills


Glossary


Links To Other NOS


External Links


Version Number

3

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

ScreenSkills

Original URN

CCSTTL57

Relevant Occupations

Technician, Assistant Technician , Technical Supervisor , Technical Manager, Head Technician, Theatre Technician, Stage Technician, Technician Crew , Automation technician , Lighting Technician, Sound Technician, AV Technician

SOC Code


Keywords

work at height; personal protective equipment (PPE); personal fall protection systems (PFPS); risks and hazards; theatre and live productions; productions;