Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course provides practical rescue training for telecommunications, fibre and broadband engineers who may need to respond to an emergency involving a colleague working at height on overhead network infrastructure. Delegates develop competence in rescue planning, equipment checks, safe positioning, casualty recovery and controlled descent techniques. The course includes knowledge-based and practical assessment and is delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe, Cheshire.
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course provides practical rescue training for telecommunications engineers and operatives who may need to respond to an emergency involving a colleague working at height on overhead network infrastructure. The course focuses on safe rescue planning, casualty recovery, rescue equipment and maintaining the safety of both the rescuer and casualty throughout the operation.
Delegates learn how to assess the rescue situation, prepare and use the appropriate rescue equipment, maintain safe positioning and recover an incapacitated person from a pole in a controlled manner. Training develops practical competence in emergency response, casualty handling and safe pole-top rescue techniques.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, using realistic overhead network infrastructure and practical pole-rescue scenarios.
About this course:
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course is designed to give telecommunications engineers and operatives the knowledge and practical competence required to respond safely and effectively to an emergency involving a colleague working at height on overhead telecommunications infrastructure.
Delegates learn how to assess the rescue situation, prepare and use appropriate rescue equipment, maintain their own safety and recover an incapacitated person from a pole in a controlled manner. The course focuses on rescue planning, casualty handling, fall-protection awareness, safe positioning and effective emergency response.
Training combines technical instruction with hands-on pole-rescue exercises so delegates can apply the required techniques in realistic overhead network scenarios. The emphasis is on controlled rescue, correct use of equipment, maintaining secure positioning and protecting both the rescuer and casualty throughout the operation.
Training is delivered at our specialist centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete the required knowledge-based and practical assessment activities for the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course, delegates will have developed the knowledge and practical competence required to carry out a controlled rescue from a telecommunications pole safely and effectively.
Delegates should be able to:
✓ Recognise the hazards and potential risks associated with pole-top rescue
✓ Assess an emergency situation before beginning a rescue
✓ Understand the responsibilities of the rescuer during pole-top recovery
✓ Prepare, inspect and check rescue equipment before use
✓ Maintain their own safety throughout the rescue operation
✓ Climb and position safely on a telecommunications pole during rescue activities
✓ Approach and secure an incapacitated casualty safely
✓ Select and apply appropriate rescue techniques
✓ Lower a casualty from height in a controlled manner
✓ Maintain control of the casualty throughout the rescue
✓ Protect the casualty from further injury during recovery
✓ Understand the importance of communication and emergency planning
✓ Recognise situations where a rescue should not proceed without additional support
✓ Apply safe working practices throughout the rescue operation
✓ Demonstrate the practical competence required during Smart Awards SA024 assessment activitie
Suitable for:
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course is designed for telecommunications engineers, overhead operatives and contractors who may need to respond to an emergency involving a colleague working at height on a telecommunications pole. Delegates should already have the required overhead safety competence before progressing to pole-top rescue training.
This course is suitable for:
✓ Telecommunications engineers working on overhead networks
✓ Fibre and broadband operatives carrying out pole-based work
✓ FTTP deployment engineers
✓ Overhead cabling teams and contractors
✓ Openreach PIA operatives
✓ Personnel responsible for emergency response during pole work
✓ Engineers who require practical pole-top rescue competence
✓ Operatives who may need to recover an incapacitated colleague from height
✓ Supervisors and team leaders responsible for overhead field teams
✓ Organisations that require trained rescue capability within overhead teams
Course modules:
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course is structured around the knowledge and practical skills required to respond safely and effectively to an emergency involving a casualty on a telecommunications pole. Delegates combine technical instruction with hands-on rescue exercises in a controlled training environment.
Pole Top Rescue Fundamentals
✓ Understanding the purpose of pole-top rescue procedures
✓ Recognising hazards and risks before beginning a rescue
✓ Assessing the situation and deciding whether the rescue can proceed safely
✓ Understanding rescuer responsibilities during an emergency
✓ Maintaining personal safety throughout the rescue operation
Rescue Equipment and Preparation
✓ Identifying appropriate pole-rescue equipment
✓ Carrying out pre-use equipment checks
✓ Preparing the rescue system correctly
✓ Understanding safe positioning and control requirements
✓ Recognising equipment defects or conditions that may affect the rescue
Casualty Recovery
✓ Approaching an incapacitated casualty safely
✓ Securing the casualty before recovery
✓ Applying controlled lowering techniques
✓ Maintaining control of the casualty during descent
✓ Protecting the casualty from further injury during recovery
Practical Rescue Techniques
✓ Climbing and positioning safely during rescue activities
✓ Using rescue equipment correctly on a telecommunications pole
✓ Applying the required rescue procedure in a controlled manner
✓ Maintaining effective communication throughout the operation
✓ Managing the rescue safely from initial assessment through to casualty recovery
Assessment and Emergency Response
✓ Applying rescue procedures in realistic pole-based scenarios
✓ Recognising situations where additional support or escalation is required
✓ Demonstrating safe and effective casualty recovery
✓ Applying appropriate emergency-response procedures
✓ Demonstrating the practical competence required during Smart Awards SA024 assessment activities
Certification Information:
On successful completion of the required knowledge and practical assessments, delegates achieve the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification.
The qualification demonstrates that the delegate has been assessed in the knowledge and practical skills required to carry out a controlled rescue from a telecommunications pole, including hazard assessment, rescue preparation, safe positioning, casualty recovery and the correct use of rescue equipment.
Delegates must successfully complete all required knowledge-based and practical assessment activities to achieve the qualification.
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification is valid for three years from the date of successful completion.
Entry Requirements
Delegates must hold a valid Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety qualification before attending the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue Course.
Delegates should also hold a valid NOPS card where required for their role or network activities.
Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof is not a mandatory prerequisite for SA024, but it may be relevant where the delegate’s work includes additional ladder, working-at-height or flat-roof access activities.
The course is intended for personnel who already have the required overhead safety competence and may need to respond to an emergency involving a colleague working at height on a telecommunications pole. Delegates should be comfortable taking part in practical pole-based rescue exercises and supervised assessment activities.
Career Progression:
Completing the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification can support progression into broader overhead telecommunications, fibre deployment and advanced pole-based roles. The course builds on existing overhead safety competence by adding practical emergency rescue capability for personnel working at height.
Recommended progression routes include:
✓ Openreach PIA S8 Overhead Cabling – for operatives progressing into practical overhead cable installation on Openreach infrastructure
✓ Openreach PIA S9 Pole Stepping on Congested Poles – for engineers who require additional competence when working on congested poles
✓ Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying – for personnel progressing into overhead surveying and route planning
✓ Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof – for personnel whose work includes additional ladder, working-at-height or flat-roof access activities
✓ Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3 – for delegates progressing into external fibre installation, jointing, testing and outside-plant infrastructure work
Price:
£220.00 + VAT
Duration:
1 Day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue course?
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue course is designed for telecommunications operatives who may need to recover an incapacitated colleague from a telecommunications pole or other overhead network structure. The course combines safety knowledge with practical rescue training.
Who is the SA024 Pole Top Rescue course suitable for?
The course is suitable for telecommunications engineers, fibre and broadband operatives, overhead cabling teams and contractors who work on poles and may need to respond to an emergency at height.
What are the prerequisites for SA024 Pole Top Rescue?
Delegates must hold a valid Smart Awards SA001 Overhead Safety qualification before attending the course. A valid NOPS card may also be required depending on the delegate’s role or network activities. Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof is not a mandatory prerequisite.
Why is pole top rescue training important?
Engineers working on overhead telecommunications infrastructure may encounter situations where a colleague becomes injured, unconscious or unable to descend safely. Pole top rescue training helps operatives respond in a controlled way while protecting both the casualty and rescuer.
What situations can require a pole top rescue?
A rescue may be required if an engineer becomes incapacitated, injured, suspended or otherwise unable to descend safely from a telecommunications pole.
What will I learn on the SA024 course?
Delegates learn how to assess a rescue situation, prepare and check rescue equipment, maintain safe positioning, approach and secure a casualty and lower the casualty safely using controlled rescue techniques.
Does SA024 include practical rescue training?
Yes. The course includes hands-on pole rescue exercises in a controlled training environment. Delegates practise the procedures required to recover an incapacitated casualty safely from height.
What equipment is used during pole top rescue training?
Training includes the correct use of relevant rescue and working-at-height equipment, including harnesses, rescue lines and associated safety equipment used during pole-based rescue operations.
How is the SA024 course assessed?
Delegates complete the required knowledge-based and practical assessment activities and must demonstrate that they can carry out a controlled pole-top rescue safely and correctly.
What qualification will I receive?
On successful completion of the required assessments, delegates achieve the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification.
How long is the SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification valid for?
The Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue qualification is valid for three years from the date of successful completion.
Is SA051C required before SA024?
No. Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof is not a mandatory prerequisite for SA024, although it may be useful for operatives whose work includes additional working-at-height or flat-roof access activities.
What courses can I take after SA024?
Useful progression routes can include Openreach PIA S8 Overhead Cabling, Openreach PIA S9 Pole Stepping on Congested Poles, Openreach PIA S5 Overhead Surveying, Smart Awards SA051C TETRA Leaning Ladder & Flat Roof and Fibre Optic Outside Plant Level 3.
Is SA024 relevant to fibre broadband and FTTP engineers?
Yes. SA024 is relevant to fibre, broadband and FTTP engineers who work on overhead telecommunications infrastructure and may need to provide emergency rescue capability within an overhead team.
Where is the Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue training delivered?
Training is delivered at our specialist training centre in Crewe, Cheshire, where delegates complete both knowledge-based learning and practical pole-rescue exercises.
What Smart Awards SA024 course dates are available?
Please contact our training team for the latest Smart Awards SA024 Pole Top Rescue course dates and availability. Corporate and group bookings can also be arranged by request.