CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Never let a work-at-height refresher slip
Colombian employers must retrain every worker authorised for work at height: as an update after 18 months at the same company without a change of activity, and on joining or when activity or equipment change (Article 27(4) of Resolución 4272 de 2021). It lasts at least 8 hours in person and keeps the worker active.
Resolución 4272 de 2021 of Colombia's Ministry of Labour sets the minimum safety requirements for work at height and applies to all employers, contracting parties, contractors, apprentices and workers in every economic activity that involves it (Articles 1 and 2). Work at height is any activity in which the worker is exposed to a fall risk of more than 2.0 metres (Article 3). Everyone working in those conditions must hold a training certificate for work at height or a certificate of occupational competence, and a valid competence certificate does not exempt them from refresher training to keep their status as an authorised worker (Article 9).
All authorised workers must receive refresher training (reentrenamiento) from the employer or contracting party. It is an employer requirement for keeping work-at-height staff active, and it is given: (a) when a worker joins the company or when their work-at-height activity, procedures, work techniques or equipment technology change; and (b) as an update for a certified authorised worker who has worked at the same company, without changing activity, in the last eighteen months (Article 27(4)).
In both cases the refresher is given in person and lasts at least 8 hours, 20% theory and 80% practice; the list of trained staff is reported to the occupational risk insurer (ARL) and uploaded by the authorised provider to the Ministry of Labour's system (Article 27(4)). The resolution expressly repealed, among others, Resolución 1409 de 2012 (Article 68).
At a glance
| Who needs it | Every worker authorised for work at height (Article 27(4)) |
|---|---|
| Update | For an authorised worker who has worked at the same company, without changing activity, in the last 18 months (Article 27(4)(b)) |
| Other cases | Joining as a new worker, or changes in activity, procedures, techniques or equipment technology (Article 27(4)(a)) |
| Minimum length | 8 hours, in person: 20% theory, 80% practice (Article 27(4)) |
| Cost | The employer provides the required training at no cost to the worker (Article 61(d)) |
| Reporting | List of trained staff to the ARL and upload to the Ministry of Labour's system (Article 27(4)) |
Who is responsible?
The employer or contracting party: all authorised workers must be retrained by it (Article 27(4)). It must provide the required training at no cost to the worker and check that training is delivered by providers authorised by the Ministry of Labour with the required number of hours (Article 61(d) and (e)).
If the deadline passes
The resolution defines refresher training as an employer requirement for keeping work-at-height staff active (Article 27(4)). Compliance is checked by the Ministry of Labour's Inspection, Monitoring and Control Directorate through its regional directorates, special offices and municipal inspectorates (Article 66).
Immediate refresher
The employer or contracting party may assess workers who have received remarks from the work-at-height coordinator. If it finds failures in applying prevention measures or using fall-protection systems, the worker must take an immediate refresher, and the measure is reported to the ARL (Article 27(4)).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each authorised worker as a record; we suggest entering as the expiry date the day 18 months after their last refresher.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, leaving time to book the course with a provider.
- The worker can upload their new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign the work-at-height coordinator or the occupational health and safety (SG-SST) lead as the responsible person; if a deadline passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often is work-at-height refresher training needed?
- As an update, it is given to an authorised worker who has worked at the same company, without changing activity, in the last eighteen months. It is also required when a worker joins or when their activity, procedures, techniques or equipment change (Article 27(4) of Resolución 4272 de 2021).
- How long does it last?
- At least 8 hours, in person, 20% theory and 80% practice (Article 27(4)).
- Does a certificate of occupational competence replace the refresher?
- No. A valid competence certificate does not exempt the worker from refresher training to keep their authorised-worker status (Article 9).
- Is Resolución 1409 de 2012 still in force?
- No. Resolución 4272 de 2021 expressly repealed it (Article 68).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 3, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for work at height refresher training (Colombia)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each work at height refresher training (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
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