Wednesday, 28 October 2026, from 10.30 am to 11.30 am (AEST)

What does it really mean for a person to be competent to perform high-risk work? While training, qualifications and certificates are important components of a safety system, they do not necessarily demonstrate that a worker can safely apply their knowledge and skills in the real-world conditions in which work is performed.

We’ll be exploring the difference between training, compliance and genuine competency, challenging the traditional focus on whether a worker has “completed the training” and shifting the question towards whether they can actually perform the task safely, recognise changing conditions, exercise sound judgement and consistently apply the required controls.

Drawing on practical experience across working at height and other high-risk industries, we’ll examine competency as a combination of knowledge, practical skill, application, judgement and consistency. It considers the role of formal training, experience, supervision, task-specific capability and ongoing competency maintenance, while recognising that competency is contextual and can change as tasks, equipment, environments and risks change.

The session will provide a practical framework for employers, supervisors and safety professionals to consider a more meaningful question, not simply, “have they been trained?”, but more importantly “can they do the work safely?”

The presentation aims to encourage a shift from a certificate-focused approach to competency-focused safety, where training is recognised as a means of developing capability rather than the end point of the competency process.

Scott Barber

Scott Barber is a safety leader, strategist, and communicator with over two decades of experience advancing high-risk industry practice through innovation, education, and advocacy. As CEO of the Working at Height Association (WAHA), and CEO of Scaffolding Association Australia, he has transformed it into an internationally recognised safety body driving regulatory alignment, collaboration, and industry engagement. His role as CEO of the Scaffolding Association of Australia (SAA), Scott provides strategic leadership and industry advocacy, working with members, regulators, government and standards bodies to strengthen safety, competency, professionalism and best practice across the scaffolding industry.

A published writer and sought-after speaker, Scott advises government, emergency services, and industry on falls prevention, rescue readiness, and high-risk system design. He works with regulators and universities, including RMIT and the University of Newcastle, on adaptive learning, engagement frameworks, and high-risk safety strategy.

Grounded in human-centred design, Scott translates complex challenges into practical strategies that improve safety, build capability, and save lives.

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