IWH PB Board
Assessments

definition of board assessment / examination

Board Assessments/Examinations are defined (www.macmillandictionary.com) as a set of tests you take to be allowed to work in a particular area, for example, as a doctor, nurse etc. Furthermore, the Health Professions Council of SA defines a Board examination as a method of assessing the standard and/or the skills and knowledge level achieved by a candidate in a discipline and/or profession.

Within these definitions, it is clear that the Board Assessment should not be an additional examination as per the underlying qualification the person acquired, but rather an assessment of skill pertaining to the occupation of the person.

DESIGNATED PROFESSIONS WITH BOARD ASSESSMENT / EXAMINATIONS

South Africa has many recognised professional bodies. In ensuring good governance, accountability and ethical conduct by designated members, board assessment/examinations in many of these professional bodies form part of the procedure for individuals to be endorsed as professionals.

Board Assessments/Examinations are not only undertaken in South Africa, but in most other countries of the world.

THE IMPACT OF BOARD ASSESSMENTS/EXAMINATIONS ON PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS

The Work at Height designations and professions must be the epitome of safe practices and ethical conduct. By introducing board assessments, high levels of competence, knowledge and skill will be assured. Qualifications and work experience alone cannot be a demonstration of high competence levels. The Board Assessments will be the gatekeeper ensuring optimal professional competency. The Board Assessment/Examinations will enable employers to recruit competent professionals. In essence, the person who succeeds at the board assessment/examination becomes the pride of the profession in that they can demonstrate a high degree of skills, knowledge, and a sense of professional responsibility to practice within the discipline. They have shown that they can continuously integrate professional skills with deeper knowledge.

THE BENEFITS OF BOARD ASSESSMENT/EXAMINATION AND MEMBERSHIP OF A PROFESSIONAL BODY

It is important to join a professional body, especially in a newly recognised industry such as ours. Irrespective of whether the person is a painter, a cleaner or an engineer, joining a professional body will provide credibility, the depth and breadth of all relevant work at height related activities needed to pursue their professions safely. This will allow access to a wide variety of latest trends and innovations in working at height which enhances the employer’s ability to make critical decisions thus improving the organisation’s marketability.   

The following are some Some of the benefits of IWH Professional Body membership:

The increasing recognition by companies/organisations of Work at Height Practitioners and the role played by the IWH as the professional body is a leading indicator of the value of its professional designations.   Being a member of the professional body demonstrates commitment to the Working at Height industry and enables persons to continue with professional development.  Achieving professional membership demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that practitioners meet the rigorous requirements and professional standards for good practice in the working at height industry. This enables members to be marketable in the world of work since talent requisition specialists normally target people that are recognised by professional bodies.

Just like all the professional bodies, the IWH PB registers CPD activities. This is needed for all employees to continue their journey on professional development and keeping abreast with changes within the field of Working at Height. It also enables knowledge enhancement for its members and increases much needed competencies and skills and the ability to be ahead of other working at height operators not exposed to CPD.  Additionally, this will give the member access to growth and being part of a vibrant and safe working at height community.

The use of a practical Re-Assessment as part of CPD, is also a form of CPD as it will ensure that the registered practitioner can still perform the high-risk skills safely and competently.

The ability to get advice from acknowledged working at height experts is another benefit of being associated with the IWH Professional Body. This platform can also afford members “networking” opportunities, the dissemination of new ideas and even new job prospects. Meeting with peers at seminars and conferences will hopefully resume in the near future which are restricted / limited to the virtual world at present but are nevertheless of equal benefit. 

The IWH PB recognises fully accredited training providers nationally for to assist with the implementation of Board Assessments and CPD Activities. The IWH is exploring cost effective and efficient methods for the implementation of its board assessment processes via its Training Provider network. The intention is to make it more convenient for Work at Height Practitioners to attend CPD workshops and Board Assessments/ Re- assessments closer to their place of employment. 

Our recognised Training Providers are audited on a regular basis to ensure that all activities and assessments are conducted at the required standard and that they are in possession of the latest innovations and updates.

The IWH is the repository of research papers, international best practices codes and safety standards applicable to our industry. It has allocated funds to acquire SANS, BS, EN and ISO standards and the content of this “library’ is constantly growing. It has published a book covering work at height guidelines that is seen by many decision makers as the definitive compendium of knowledge for industry.  Several of its Members serve on technical committees at the SABS and on committees and task teams of various policy makers and regulators – all for the greater benefit of the industry in general and for its members in particular.  The IWH has access to the latest statistics on incidents, accidents and fatalities and regularly publishes “best practice” notes on its open-access website that can assist persons in preventing / mitigating incidents.

The Occupational Health and Safety Legislation is set to ensure all employees are safe. The IWH PB plays an active role in ensuring that all the necessary legislation and regulations are adhered to at all times. They are also actively representing the industry in the development, changes, and proposed recommendations to all the legislation and regulations. The professional body informs its members about proposed legislation which could affect the working at height industry and to develop relationships with those involved in legislation such as business organisations, lobbyists, and legislators, so that they may better understand the issues from a “work at height” perspective.

CONCLUSION

It is important to join a professional body, especially in a newly recognised industry such as ours. Irrespective of whether the person is a painter, a cleaner or an engineer, joining a professional body will provide credibility, the depth and breadth of all relevant work at height related activities needed to pursue their professions safely. This will allow access to a wide variety of latest trends and innovations in working at height which enhances the employer’s ability to make critical decisions thus improving the organisation’s marketability.