Based on industry demand, we are now conducting a five day, blended delivery of our Confined Space Rescue and Vertical Rescue programs.

Participants gain fantastic, cross-domain rescue knowledge and experience which will be invaluable for those wanting to serve on Emergency Response Teams on mine sites and in other industry sectors.

Give us a call to find out when our next CSR+VR course is scheduled.

We here at Pinnacle are now hiring for an Operations Manager and an Office Administration Assistant. You will find our job ads on SEEK, and also below.

If you are interested, please forward your resume and contact details to info@pinnacleheight.com.au.

Operations Manager, Training and Services

• Full Time Role
• Professional and Supportive Team
• Attractive Remuneration Package

Pinnacle Height Safety is a dynamic and fast-growing training and services organisation specialising in delivering quality short courses such as Safe Work at Heights, Confined Space Entry, Rescue and Fire Safety throughout Australia and in our training centres in Brisbane and Gladstone. Pinnacle also supplies specialist labour for Standby Rescue services and Rope Access works including major projects. We are seeking an experienced Operations Manager to coordinate and oversee operations of our all areas of the business.

Operations Manager key functions:

• As Operations Manager based at our Brisbane office you will be responsible for managing all business operations nationally
• Reporting to the Director you will lead and implement continuous improvement in business practice
• You will be responsible for coordinating course delivery with the Training Manager; including scheduling public and company bookings with an eye on ensuring both best practice quality delivery for our customers and meeting company financial KPI’s
• Manage Service-based projects such as Rope Access and Rescue Services including the preparation of quotes, logistical planning, staff selection, development of legislative documentation such as SWMS, and management of those projects until completion 
• You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of our training centres and worksite-based services
• Manage the Human, Financial, Facilities and Curriculum resources of the training centres to achieve agreed KPI’s

Ideally you will have experience in

• Leading delivery teams to provide quality training
• Forming partnerships with industry
• Managing a team of people
• Understanding the legislation and policies that impact on Vocational Education and Training
• It is desirable that you have knowledge in Rope Access, Height Safety, Confined Spaces and Rescue Services

Required Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Professional attitude and presentation
• Ability to lead and motivate
• A dynamic and flexible attitude and ability to work autonomously.
   

Office Administration Assistant

• Full Time Role
• Professional and Supportive Team
• Competitive Remuneration Package

Pinnacle Height Safety is a dynamic training and services organisation specialising in delivering quality short courses such as Safe Work at Heights, Confined Space Entry, Rescue and Fire Safety throughout Australia and in our training centres in Brisbane and Gladstone. Pinnacle also supplies specialist labour for Standby Rescue services and Rope Access works including major projects. We are seeking a professional Office Administration Assistant to undertake a range of clerical and system administrative tasks.

Office Administration Assistant key functions:

• Based at our Brisbane office you will be responsible for administrating a web-based RTO (registered training organisation) system
• Reporting to the RTO Manager, you will follow continuous improvement in business practice methodology
• You will be responsible for coordinating course delivery with the Operations and Training Managers; including scheduling public and company bookings across a range of internal systems
• Data Entry
• General administration and office support
• Assistance with accounts

Ideally you will have experience in

• Previous office administrative roles
• Excellent data entry skills, speed and accuracy
• Web-based systems and/or databases
• It is desirable that you have previous experience or understanding of Vocational Education and Training

Required Attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Be interested in learning and a desire to grow with the business
• Be process focused, a logical thinker with high attention to detail
• Be highly proficient with Microsoft Word & Excel
• Be confident, friendly, and possess high levels of professionalism
• A flexible attitude and ability to work autonomously
• Data entry experience

If you are interested, please forward your resume and contact details to info@pinnacleheight.com.au.

The Australian Rope Access Association (ARAA) is Australia's national industry body for rope access. Overseas, there are other industry associations including IRATA (UK) and SPRAT (US/Canada).

There are three levels of rope access technician, and this week, we have a bunch of guys trying their hardest to achieve the pinnacle of the trade - the coveted level 3!

In order to pass their assessment on Friday, the guys will have to flawlessly perform a series of extremely complex rescues such as rescuing a patient through a loop traverse, as well as hauling systems to move objects and themselves through three dimensional space and so forth. There's heaps to remember, and one missed connection can mean a FAIL!

Feel the pressure, boys!!

Level 1 – Basic Operator
The Level 1 has the skills to safely work within a variety of safety systems employed in Industrial Rope Access under the direct supervision of a Level 2 or Level 3 supervisor.

Level 2 – Basic Site Supervisor
An intermediate qualification incorporating the skills required to safely employ and supervise rope access activities for vertical only works in an urban environment, and to work in a supporting role to Level 3 supervisors on complex work sites.
*N.B. ‘Vertical only’ works can be those defined as sites where it is possible to lower an injured worker directly to the ground or a suitable landing, and where diversion anchors (creating a maximum deflection of 20°) are used along the fall of the rope. No knots or re-anchoring points may be employed along the falls of rope i.e. simple retrieval methods are adequate.

Level 3 – Advanced Site Supervisor
An advanced qualification that is required for a team leader where complex works such as traverses, lead climbing, work over water or confined spaces are required. Will have more experience in rescue planning and in documentation of works. Note that sites where numerous other trades and operating plant and equipment are present (building sites, refineries, power stations etc) are automatically a complex site and require a Level 3 Supervisor.

Prior to January 2012, all Work at Height training in Australia hung its hat on the fact that if workers were working above 2m in height, then a fall-prevention system had to be in place (and workers had to be trained in its use).

On 1 January 2012, a harmonised Work Health and Safety legislation came into effect for New South Wales, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory, the Commonwealth and the Northern Territory. It is unfortunate that we do not, at this stage, have nationally consistent OH&S laws although progress towards this aim is ongoing. The remaining jurisdictions of Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania all appear to be planning for a 2013 timeframe.

As part of the new legislation, the 2m stipulation has been removed.

So what is the new rule?

The current Model Code of Practice (as at January 2012) applies to all workplaces covered by the WHS Act and Regulations where there is a risk of a fall by a person from one level to another that is reasonably likely to cause injury.

The Code gives some examples as to situations where a worker might be exposed to the risk of a fall:

• in or on plant or a structure that is at an elevated level
• in or on plant that is being used to gain access to an elevated level
• in the vicinity of an opening through which a person could fall
• in the vicinity of an edge over which a person could fall
• on or in the vicinity of a surface through which a person could fall
• on or near the vicinity of a slippery, sloping or unstable surface.

Let's hear what our training manager Kevin has to say about the change:

"The new harmonisation will, in my opinion, will create one negative and one positive thing.

Negative:
Workers are already afraid to make decisions because of legislative requirements. The 2m rule was at least clinical. If a platform is a mere 20cm high, the simple nature of gravity and our susceptibility to injury dictates that a fall from that height could produce an injury. With the paranoid nature of the construction workforce in full swing, workers will on occasion call their leading hands/supervisors/superintendents for a look at the 20cm platform. This will of course slow down the workforce.

Positive:
Legislation has stolen our common sense. Back in the (dare I say it) good old days, we were provided with instruction on certain tasks to be completed. We then went away, had a cup of tea, looked at the job, discussed the possible issues arising from that job and we then made a decision on which method we would use to complete the job. If things didn’t go to plan, then we would work out another way to complete the job, usually with the help of our colleagues. The aforementioned is basically the risk assessment process, less the paperwork.

Harmonisation will in my opinion put the impetus/responsibility back on individuals to make decisions using what we have left of our common sense. We will not ever be without the paperwork, but at least the decision will have been made at “grass roots” level, not in some legislative document.

Example:
So our 20cm platform in my opinion could cause an injury producing fall, especially as it is surrounded by protruding star pickets. Thus I conclude that I will firstly remove said star pickets, if possible. I will also provide a physical barrier to prevent workers from falling the 20cm. I will then of course document what I have done to reduce these risks prior to work commencing, and monitor the risks and controls as work progresses."

Where to go for more information:

• The Bible is the Model Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces.
• Pinnacle Height Safety is fully up-to-date with all the new harmonised legislation. Give us a call.

It's a fact that demand for nationally accredited training in height safety, confined space, fire and rescue is growing rapidly in Australia. Especially within the mining, construction, major infrastructure and utilities industries.

The Pinnacle Group are rapidly growing to meet this demand, and we need experienced trainers to help us deliver the highest quality training.

We pride ourselves on fostering a team of trainers with solid industry experience. It means we can deliver training that is not only aligned with legislation and Australian Standards, but also relevant to industry and based on real-world experience. Most of our trainers also do industry-based services work for us to further refine their skills and professional development.

Both full and part-time, flexible positions are available for the right candidates. We train Australia-wide, so we have positions available in various locations.

Mandatory:

• Cert IV Training and Assessment
• Friendly, professional attitude

Preferable:

• Experience in one or more of the industries listed above
• Background in emergency services, defence forces or similar
• Experience as a trainer

If you'd like to join us, please send your resume today to info@pinnacleheight.com.au

This week we have been training Department of Defence's Vertical Rescue training team.

These boys are the best of the best   ...   of the best!

We've been using our in house training facilities, as well as rescue scenarios in real cliff environments.

Why come to Pinnacle?

Because of our in-depth knowledge and the fact that we are working in the industry every week doing rope access, standby rescue and auditing and compliance work, we're the ideal go-to team to help even experts improve their skills.

Over four days in August, we were on site at Bechtel's facility in Yarwun to provide Vertical Rescue training to the Emergency Response team.

There were 10 volunteer members of the team in attendance, and our trainer Kevin said they posessed excellent medical and procedural knowledge, and were extremely keen and enthusiastic.

Our trainers are some of the most well trained and experienced technicians in Australia. This real-world experience allows us to focus our training on authentic, likely rescue scenarios. Pick-off rescues, gotcha-kit rescues, hauling systems, stretcher rescues in difficult vertical and constricted terrain - they did it all. The skills the team acquired over the four days stands them in good stead to be able to respond to difficult access emergencies throughout the plant.

It's all about keeping your mates safe!

It's a requirement under Australian Standards that all height safety equipment such as harnesses are inspected and tagged regularly. However, placing the tags in the wrong place can kill.

Have a look at the photos below. Can you spot the issue? That's right - the green tag has been attached to the hard attachment point of the harness (the major clip-in safety point). The second image demonstrates the problem with this. It is possible to mistake the tag itself as the attachment point which will then fail when loaded. This is particularly the case for rear attachment points which are hard to see while worn.

Inspection tags should always be placed on parts of the harness that can never be mistaken as an attachment point. Ideally, they should be a design that does not allow for the passage of a carabiner.

Current regulation AS 1891.4 requires all height safety equipment such as harnesses, lanyards, static lines, fall arrest equipment etc. to be inspected at intervals not exceeding six months by a competent person.

What is "a competent person"?

This is not defined specifically in the Standard, however industry maintains that a competent person is one who has received and is current in the appropriate units of competency pertaining to usage of harness-based PPE. It must be amply demonstrable that this person has the depth of experience to ascertain the condition and safety of harness-based PPE. For example, it would be difficult to prove that an everyday worker with a standard Work at Heights Ticket has this level of experience, while it would be easy to demonstrate that a current ARAA Rope Access Operator with hundreds of logged hours possesses the required assessment skills.

Pinnacle offer a Height Safety Equipment Inspection Service. We can:

• inspect your equipment
• certify its satisfactory condition
• tag the items for easy on-site identification and
• record all data electronically for future reference

Please get in touch to find out how we can assist you meet your obligations and keep your workers safe.

This September, one of our Standby Rescue experts was on site at Bondi Beach to assist Energised Alliance with their demolition works.

Five residential houses needed to be demolished to make way for the Waverley Substation Project. Pinnacle were assigned two major tasks:

1. The provision of specialist Height Rescue personnel
2. Design and supply of a documented Rescue Plan to meet legislative requirements

It was a particularly tricky job. As all elements of the very old buildings were required to be recycled, the demolition was largely done by hand. When there are no overhead anchors and there are workers operating on unsheeted roofs with very old roof beams, you have a potentially very dangerous work environment. We devised a horizontal safety line and fall restraint system to protect workers from falls off or through the old roof.

James listed one of the perks of this particular job as getting to go for a swim every afternoon!

About the Waverley substation project

Ausgrid is planning a $1.27 billion investment in the electricity network supplying the Eastern suburbs and inner city regions over the five years to 2014. This investment includes a replacement substation for the Waverley/Bondi area and replacing the underground cables delivering power to the substation.

Ausgrid has identified the need to replace the current Waverley zone substation located at 36 Anglesea Street, Bondi.

The existing substation is approaching time for retirement and Ausgrid plans to construct a new substation that will continue to maintain a safe and reliable power supply and meet the community’s growing energy needs for many years to come.

This replacement substation will become a key part of the electricity network supplying homes and businesses in Waverley , Bondi and surrounding suburbs. Ausgrid plans to build the new substation next door to the existing substation on land it has purchased at 38, 40, 42, 44 and 46 Anglesea Street that is currently occupied by houses. Once in service it would allow the existing substation to be retired from service.

Bulk Flyash Grout Pty Ltd have been awarded the contract to address issues of subsidence in the Swanbank Power Station area. Void spaces in the earth can lead to collapse of the groud and lead to destruction of property and safety issues.

Bulk Flyash Grout Pty Ltd will use flowable fill technology which is a method of using a fly ash (a by-product of coal fired power stations) slurry to fill the void spaces and stabilise the earth.

Flowable fill includes a family of products usually consisting of water, fly ash, portland cement, and sometimes, coarse or fine aggregates, or both. Flowable fill is an engineered, strength controlled, fill material that is self-leveling, self-compacting and non-settling.

Pinnacle have been engaged to provide expert confined space consulting in the form of:

1. Direct consulting in the risk management process
2. Work site inspections
3. Design and supply of legislative documentation i.e. safe work method statements (SWMS), rescue plans and permit system
4. The provision of a Standby Rescue Service.