standard of
safety of those
people required to
work at height.
ABOUT US
In 2006, all the full line Australian manufacturers of height safety equipment assembled to discuss how best to improve the standard of safety of those people required to work at height.
In forming the Fall Protection Manufacturers Association (FPMA), they acknowledged that there would be a requirement for an organisation with a wider scope to cover all aspects of safe working at height. However they determined to develop the manufacturing organisation to a stage where it had the capability and knowledge to manage this wider constituency.
Over the years, the design, manufacture and quality of height safety equipment consistently improved through the development and adoption of Australian Standards (AS/NZS 1891 part1 to part 4). However, the continued high incidence of serious injury and death to workers at height clearly demonstrated that more needed to be done than simply the improvement of equipment.
In 2011, the FPMA changed its name to the WORKING AT HEIGHT ASSOCIATION (WAHA) and increased its scope of membership to incorporate a wider range of operations involved in the working at height industry including:
- Part Line manufacturers
- Installers
- Distributors
- Training Organisations
- End Users
- Related Associations and Authorities
Membership is regulated by the conformance to the Objects of the Association with particular reference to the requirement for members to operate to responsibility within the industry. The Association assists in developing the skills of its members as well as by providing representation to government and industry. The Association also provides members with an impressive degree of recognition with those requiring advice on issues related to working at height.
The objects of the Association are:
- To be recognised as the peak industry body representing the interests of all those involved in providing products, services or advice relating to safe working at height;
- To require the highest standard of skill, integrity and responsibility of all member companies;
- To increase the knowledge of, and compliance with, safety standards of all those involved in safe working at height
- To facilitate the exchange of technical information and to encourage further research into industry issues.
- To work within the working at height industry to:
- Reduce the number of injuries and fatalities resulting from people working at height;
- Drive compliance in the areas of equipment design, selection and use, as well as training competency;
- Provide a forum for industry based discussion, issue identification and resolution; and be an information source to members and the industry in general.