Vocational Education & Training Standards in Agriculture, Forestry & Environmental Safety at Heights

Project Background:The VET-Safety project was designed to the meet the needs of people involved within high risk work at height (WAH) activities particularly within the agricultural & environmental sector of industry. 2011-2012 statistics indicated that the highest workplace fatalities occurred within this sector: Deaths:•UK-40•France-47Injuries:•UK-7,960•France-18,970Falls from WAH were the most common cause of fatality at work in the UK at 23% in 2012. By 2016 it was 27%. The 2nd highest WAH accident rate in the UK is within the agriculture sector. Previous projects (European Lifelong Learning Programme) found health & safety concerns within WAH & developed a framework for common European VET competence standards:LOLER Project (2011-2013) http://aba-skills.com/loler.php?project=loler :•UK-28 incidents per year in Agriculture-arboriculture (tree surgery)EAIOCOC Project (2009-2011) http://aba-skills.com/european_chainsaw.php :•UK-50% of tree work deaths between 1999-2010 occurred in WAH activities in Agriculture-forestry & arboriculture (chainsaw tasks at height from mobile elevating work platforms-MEWPs, ladders & rope & harness)A key to successful implementation of long-term quality training standards, for WAH, was to facilitate best practice & high quality instruction amongst VET providers & skills trainers to ‘raise safety standards’. The practical delivery of courses across Europe & beyond, supported by ABA International (International Accreditation Body) ensured this aim has been successful & provided a mechanism for continual exchange of knowledge, expertise and innovation within WAH.Project Objectives:The ultimate project goal was to ‘raise safety standards’ & ‘reduce accidents & fatalities’ in WAH. To successfully achieve this goal, 7 key project objectives were met:1. Practical events for skills instructors were delivered ‘Train the Trainer’ 2. Practical events for skills instructors were delivered ‘Train the Assessor’3. Quality training guides produced4. Project web page http://aba-skills.com/vetsafety.php?project=vetsafety & facebook page established https://www.facebook.com/vetsafety/ supported by ABA International 5. E-knowledge library (e-hub) developed supported by ABA International6. Data warehouse integrated with e-hub developed7. 3 new European occupational standards & competence certifications in safe use of chainsaws & other equipment for WAH established with ABA InternationalProject Participants:The project consisted of a very experienced & capable partnership of 12 organisations tasked to ensure its success. Their make-up consisted of VET & project management specialists, private & public bodies, non-profit organisations, e-learning, WAH & adult education specialists & government institutions in the education & agriculture sectors.Project Activities:Over the project lifecycle the partnership undertook numerous tasks in pursuit of the VET-Safety goals:• VET-Industry consultations• Meeting presentations• WAH training techniques analysis• WAH competency developments• WAH incident evaluations• Project dissemination • International certification events• Training publications & guidance materials etcProject Methodology:The project was undertaken in 4 stages within its lifecycle:Stage 1: (Pre-cycle)Pre-project planning & preparation meetings heldManagement plan, project organisational structure & dissemination plan producedObjectives scheduled into action plan of tasks & work packages Successful trainer events & development of VET training standards On-going monitoring & evaluation of feedback & dissemination information On-going promotion of project information via web, social media etc Stage 2: (Mid-cycle)Successful trainer events & development of VET assessment standards New WAH competency certifications successfully pilot testedPost-project sustainability planning & preparation meetings held VET trainer QA materials & e-tools linked to data warehouse developedProject interim report producedStage 3: (End-cycle)Live testing of new WAH competency certifications undertakenVET trainer QA materials & e-tools linked to data warehouse completedProject ‘Exit Strategy’ developed with ABA InternationalProject completed & final report producedStage 4: (Post-cycle)Project evaluation continuesPartners continue to disseminate & enhance products & goals with ABA InternationalProject Impact:The project reached its objectives by enhancement of training products and more importantly via completely new partnership innovations focused on WAH safety:1. Knowledge library (e-hub) 2. Data warehouse (e-hub)3. Safe use of ladders & MEWPS & emergency rescue techniques qualification accredited by ABA International 4. Aerial use & safety of a chainsaw qualification accredited by ABA International 5. Safe use of winches qualification accredited by ABA International The web based e-tools (e-passport, e-hub) & the availability