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Work at Height & Confined SpacesPractitionerCWAH

Certified Work at Height Safety Practitioner

Certifies the ability to plan, supervise and review work at height using the avoid–prevent–mitigate hierarchy, correct equipment selection and robust rescue planning.

Exam
1 h 30 min
Questions
50
Pass mark
68%
Valid for
3 years

About this certification

Holders can assess work at height activities and apply the hierarchy of avoiding work at height, preventing falls with collective protection and mitigating consequences. They select and inspect access equipment such as ladders, scaffolds and mobile elevating work platforms, specify fall protection systems and ensure rescue plans are in place.

Who it is for: Supervisors, health and safety advisers, maintenance and construction managers overseeing work at height.

Syllabus

What you'll be assessed on — 6 modules. The percentage is each module's share of the exam.
  1. 01Work at Height Hazards and Duties15% of the exam
    • Explain the causes and consequences of falls from height and falling objects
    • Describe duty-holder responsibilities for planning and supervision
  2. 02The Work at Height Hierarchy20% of the exam
    • Apply the avoid, prevent and mitigate hierarchy to work at height tasks
    • Evaluate collective versus personal protection measures
  3. 03Access Equipment20% of the exam
    • Evaluate the suitability of ladders, stepladders, scaffolds, towers and MEWPs
    • Apply pre-use and periodic inspection requirements
  4. 04Fall Protection Systems20% of the exam
    • Distinguish between work restraint, work positioning and fall arrest
    • Analyse anchor selection, clearance distance and swing fall hazards
  5. 05Fragile Surfaces and Falling Objects10% of the exam
    • Apply controls for fragile roofs, openings and edges
    • Design exclusion zones and tool tethering arrangements
  6. 06Rescue Planning and Supervision15% of the exam
    • Design a rescue plan for suspended workers that addresses suspension intolerance
    • Apply supervision and permit arrangements to high-risk work at height

Competencies assessed

  • Work at Height Planning — Plans work at height using the avoid–prevent–mitigate hierarchy.
  • Equipment Selection — Selects and inspects suitable access equipment.
  • Fall Protection — Specifies appropriate fall protection systems.
  • Rescue Planning — Ensures effective rescue arrangements are in place.
  • Supervision — Supervises work at height safely.

Exam blueprint

Closed-book, timed examination with single-choice, multiple-response and scenario-based questions.
Questions per module50 questions · 1 h 30 min · pass 68%
  • Work at Height Hazards and Duties8
  • The Work at Height Hierarchy10
  • Access Equipment10
  • Fall Protection Systems10
  • Fragile Surfaces and Falling Objects5
  • Rescue Planning and Supervision7
Question types
Scenario-based 20% · Single choice 60% · Multiple response 20%
Delivery
Online (remote proctored), Test centre, On-site (corporate)
Retakes
Up to three attempts within any 12-month period. A 14-day waiting period applies after a first unsuccessful attempt and 30 days after a second. Each retake requires a new booking and fee. Retakes draw a different randomised form from the question bank.

Provisional cut score — psychometric validation is required before live delivery. Blueprint v1.0.

Your path to certification

  1. 1

    Register

    Create a free account and start the programme.

  2. 2

    Practice

    Online practice test, 8 questions.

  3. 3

    Training

    Optional

    Online course or classroom — or skip it.

  4. 4

    Certification

    Independent exam and certification decision.

  • Practice test8 questions · 20 min · 70% to pass · free with the programme
  • Work at Height Safety Practitioner — online course21 h self-paced€499

Training is optional and does not by itself confer certification. Find a training partner

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required

  • Minimum 1 year's experience planning or supervising work at height
  • Agreement to abide by the AQSCERT Code of Professional Conduct

Recommended

  • OHS-F or equivalent knowledge

More information

Certification process
  1. 1. Application — Create an account and apply for this certification.
  2. 2. Eligibility review — AQSCERT checks the formal eligibility requirements.
  3. 3. Assessment — Sit the 1 h 30 min examination online or at a test centre.
  4. 4. Independent decision — A decision maker not involved in your training or assessment reviews all evidence.
  5. 5. Issuance — A digitally signed certificate with QR verification, valid for 3 years.
  6. 6. Recertification — Before expiry, evidence 45 hours of CPD or re-sit the examination.
  7. Certificates may be suspended, withdrawn or revoked in line with the Certification Scheme. Status is always shown on the public verification page.
Scheme & accreditation
Certification scheme
Hazard-Specific Safety Certification Scheme
Scheme code
AQS-SCH-22
Scheme version
v1.0 (effective 1 Jan 2026)

Accreditation: AQSCERT is accredited by DA, an IAF MLA signatory, to ISO/IEC 17024. Our programmes are developed by leading experts from industry.

Ready to start CWAH?

Practise online, add optional training, then sit the independent exam.

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    Certified Confined Space Entry Practitioner

    Validates the competence to identify confined spaces, assess specified risks, control entry through permits, atmospheric testing and isolation, and plan effective emergency rescue.

    Exam duration
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    Questions
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    Exam fee from

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Certified Work at Height Safety Practitioner (CWAH) · AQSCERT