IRATA Rope Access Training and Qualification Requirements

Overview

.1.1 This rope access training and certification requirements shall be carried out in accordance with
the IRATA International Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme (the scheme) and the
IRATA International Code of Practice (ICOP) requirements.

.1.2 All IRATA International member companies and rope access Technicians are required to meet
all the requirements of the scheme as a condition of membership. Training courses leading to
certification under the scheme may only be carried out by full or probationary Training
member companies of IRATA International.

Levels of Qualification

.1.1 IRATA Rope Access Technicians are grouped into three technical grades depending on their
experience and level of assessment. Figure 1 provides a flowchart outlining the route to
qualification.

.1.2 IRATA Level 1 – A Rope Access Technician who is able to perform a specified range of rope
access tasks under the supervision of an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety Supervisor.

• IRATA Level 1 Rope Access Technician is:

• Able to understand and follow the rope access procedures,

method statements and associated risk assessments;

• Responsible for pre-use checks of his or her own rope access

equipment;

• Able to assist in rigging and other operations, under the guidance

of a higher grade; and

• Able to undertake a simple rescue in descent, and assist in rescue

operations.

• To become an IRATA Level 1 rope access technician, candidates

will go through a pre- screening or application process to ensure
personnel with the correct aptitude and attitude conducive to
working at height are selected. This could include information
sessions outlining Industrial Rope Access and medical assessments
if a disability or medical condition was a contributing factor that
could prevent the candidate from working safely and completing
the training and assessment.

Note: While in the process of being trained to Level 1, a person is considered to be a trainee.

• Candidates shall undertake a minimum 4-day rope access training

course, followed by a 1-day independent assessment. Once the
candidate has successfully passed the independent IRATA Level 1
assessment, the technician may then be allowed to work using
industrial rope access techniques, although this shall be under the
direct supervision of an IRATA Level 3.
4.2.3 IRATA Level 2 – This is an experienced rope access technician who is able to perform more complex
tasks under the supervision of an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety Supervisor.

- IRATA Level 2 Rope Access Technician is:

• Able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of an IRATA Level 1;

• Capable of more complex rigging, including re-anchors, deviations (Single and Double) and
tensioned lines;

• Able to undertake rescues from a variety of situations; and

• Able to assemble and implement hauling systems.

• To become an IRATA Level 2 rope access technician, candidates applying to upgrade shall be
competent in all practical and theory requirements of an IRATA Level 1 technician prior to the
start of the Level 2 course.

• Candidates seeking to upgrade to IRATA Level 2 shall ensure that:

• Their current certification is still valid on day of assessment; and

• They have the necessary 1-year’s experience and 1000 working hours as an IRATA Level 1,
recorded and signed off in their log book.

• Candidates upgrading to IRATA Level 2, shall undertake a minimum 4-day rope access training
course, followed by a 1-day independent assessment.

4.2.4 IRATA Level 3 – This is an experienced rope access technician who is responsible for
understanding and implementing the rope access procedures, method statements and
associated risk assessments, and:

 Is able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of an IRATA Level 1 & 2;

 Understands the elements and principles of IRATA International’s safe system of

work;

 Is conversant with relevant work techniques and legislation; and

 Has an extensive knowledge of advanced rope access rigging and rescue

techniques.

- To become an IRATA Level 3 rope access technician, candidates applying to upgrade shall
be competent in all practical and theory requirements required of an IRATA Level 1 and 2
technician, prior to the start of the Level 3 course.

- Candidates seeking to upgrade to IRATA Level 3 shall ensure that:

 Their current certification is still valid on day of assessment; and

 They have the necessary 1-year’s experience and 1000 working hours as an IRATA
Level 2, recorded and signed off in their log book.

- Candidates upgrading to IRATA Level 3, shall undertake a minimum 4-day rope access training course,
followed by a 1-day independent assessment.
 .1.1 IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety Supervisor – This is and IRATA certified Level 3 technician
with the skills and experience necessary to assume complete responsibility for the rope access
work site, including mentoring and guidance of other technicians, who is capable of designing
and implementing suitable rope access systems, and who has the ability to direct rescue
operations from rope access systems in emergency situations.

• The Rope Access Safety Supervisors role is to ensure that the work
and the workers proceed in accordance with the IRATA ICOP.
• Under the IRATA International scheme, only IRATA Level 3 rope
access technicians are permitted to be Rope Access Safety
Supervisors.
• IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety Supervisors require:
• The experience and competence to supervise the rope access
work and any potential rescue for each rope access project under
their supervision;
• The ability to communicate to rope access technicians the rope
access safety requirements for the project and to manage day-to-
day problems on the site;
• Leadership abilities appropriate to the work team;
• The ability to monitor closely both worksite and personnel for
rope access safety and to be able to identify any shortfalls in the
required competence of those personnel;
• A through knowledge of hazard identification and risk assessment,
and methods of site management;
• The ability to understand and implement the content of safety
method statements;
• The ability to complete and maintain relevant documentation; and
• The authority to make decisions to ensure the safety of rope
access technicians, the public and the rope access worksite, e.g.
the withdrawal of equipment from service if thought to be
inappropriate or unsafe.
• IRATA Level 3 Technicians seeking to become a Rope Access Safety
Supervisor shall first complete a mentorship process before being
given Rope Access Safety Supervisor responsibilities. The process
will have the candidate supervise a rope access project under the
direct supervision of an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety
Supervisor, providing feedback to the Rope Access Program
Manager on the candidate’s performance.
• The duration of the mentorship process shall be determined by
the Rope Access Program Manager.
• Records of completing this process shall be maintained in the
Technicians personal file.

Figure 1: IRATA Certification Flow Chart

5.0 Candidate Pre-Requisites

Suitability of Candidates for Training

.1.2 To work safely in rope access, requires those engaged to have an appropriate attitude and
aptitude. A good level of fitness and physical capability is also required.

.1.3 An aptitude for work at height includes not only have ‘a head for heights’, but also an
appropriate level of responsibility and self-reliance. A healthy respect for heights is an
advantage. Over-confident or reckless workers may present greater risks than the cautious
worker.

.1.4 TISI Canada, Inc. and CICT has the right to exclude any candidate from training if there are any
concerns over the candidates, health and/or fitness or attitude to safety during training.

Training Pre-Requisites

.1.1 Candidates shall be at least 18years of age at the start of the course.

.1.2 Candidates should be physically fit and unaffected by any disability or medical condition that
may prevent them from working safely.

.1.3 Candidates are required to certify that they do not have any medical disabilities or contra-
indications that may prevent them from working safely. The minimum requirement is a self-
certification statement, IRATA Form 014, Statement of Medical Condition.

.1.4 If a candidate has a contra-indicated condition which is controlled with medication, they shall
obtain a signed doctor’s note as verification that the condition should not prevent that person
doing rope access work, providing they have access to the required medication.

Upgrading to IRATA Level 2 or 3 Pre-Requisites

4.2.5 Candidates seeking to upgrade shall:

4.2.6 Competent in all practical and theory requirements of their current level prior to attendance of
an upgrade course. Candidates who are not competent may require additional training;

4.2.7 Ensure their current certification is still valid on the day of assessment;

4.2.8 Have the necessary 1 year’s experience and 1000 working hours recorded and signed off in
their log book; and

4.2.9 Provide their log book to the IRATA Training Member company at the start of the training
course. Where candidates have lost their log book, they shall arrange for a replacement to be
issued, completed and verified before assessment.

Note: To avoid confusion, 1 year’s experience means: A technician is eligible for upgrade assessment on
the calendar day, one year and one day after their previous assessment.

E.g. April 1st 2014 Level 1 assessment, April 2nd 2015 earliest possible Level 2 assessment.

6.0 The course program and timings may vary dependent on instructor, class size and composition. Level 2
and 3 candidates will be expected to fulfill all Level 1 requirements by the end of Day 1 as a minimum.

IRATA Level 1
Day 1

Introduction Application documents Descender/Backup Rope Clamps

Cowstails
0730 - 0930 Statement of Medical Condition 1330 - 1430

0930 – 1030 Philosophy of IRATA Training Venue 1430 - 1530 Ascent and Descent Change-overs
Induction

Care and Maintenance of PPE Harness Ascent with Descender Descent

Assembly with Ascender Break-down Personal
1030 – 1230 1530 – 1630
Kits
Basic Haul Systems (Overview)

1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch

Day 2

Theory Review Legal Requirements

0800 – 0930 Assemble Personal Kits 1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch

Passing Deviations

0930 – 1030 Practical Review 1330 – 1430 4-Point Transfer Rope Protection

1030 – 1130 Bagging & Coiling a Rope 1430 – 1530 Edge Obstruction at Top

Basic Anchors Y-Hangs Small and Large Re-Anchors

Checking PPE
1130 – 1230 1530 – 1630
Break-down Personal Kits

Day 3

0800 – 0930 Level 1 Sample Questions Assemble 1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch
Personal Kits

0930 – 1130 Passing Knots 1330 – 1500 Horizontal Aid Climb Fixed and
Mobile Anchors

1130 – 1230 Checking PPE 1500 – 1630 Climbing with Fall Arrest System
Break-down Personal Kits

Day 4

0800 – 0830 Assemble Personal Kits 1130 – 1230 Basic Haul Systems (Awareness)

0830 – 0900 Level 1 Sample Questions 1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch

0900 – 1000 Review Previous Days 1300 – 1400 Week in Review

1000 – 1100 Descent Rescue 1400 – 1530 Individual Practice

1100 – 1130 Using Work/Comfort Seats 1530 – 1630 Written Exam

Day 5

0800 – 1230 Independent Assessment

1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch 1300 – 1600 Independent Assessment

IRATA Level 2

Day 1

Administration Paperwork
Documents/Logbooks/Photo ID
0730 - 0930 1300 - 1430 Level 1 Manoeuvres
Checks Statement of Medical
Condition

0930 – 1030 Check Certification Validity Training 1430 - 1530 Basic Rigging
Venue Induction

1030 – 1200 Assemble Personal Kits Equipment

Checks
1530 – 1630 Anchor Selection Debriefing
1200 – 1300 Break for Lunch

Day 2

0800 – 0900 Forces and Angles MBL / SWL / WWL 1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch

0900 – 0930 Suspension Trauma 1330 – 1500 Deviation Rescue

0930 – 1130 Ascent Rescue 1500 – 1600 Rigging Re-Anchors

1130 – 1230 Rigging Deviations 1600 – 1630 Debriefing

Day 3

0800 – 0900 Hauling Systems and Mechanical 1200 – 1300 Break for Lunch
Advantages

0900 – 1000 Rope-to-Rope Rescue 1300 – 1430 Aid Climb Rescue

1000 – 1130 Small Re-Anchor Rescue 1430 – 1530 Rigging Edge Obstruction at Top
Rigging with Rope Protection

1130 – 1200 Retrievable Rigging 1530 – 1630 Level 2 Sample Questions

Day 4

0800 – 0900 Introduction to Risk Assessments & 1300 – 1400 Rescue from Fall Arrest
Method Statements Equipment

0900 – 1000 Level 2 Sample Questions 1400 – 1515 Cross Haul

Haul Systems; Rigging for Rescue

1000 – 1100 Hanging Hauls with extra Rope 1515 – 1600 Week in Review

1100 – 1230 Rigging Tensioned Ropes Rigging

Horizontal Life Lines
1600 – 1700 Level 2 Written Exam
1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch

Day 5

0800 – 1230 Independent Assessment

1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch 1300 – 1600 Independent Assessment

IRATA Level 3

Day 1

Administration Paperwork
Documents/Logbook/Photo ID Checks
0730 - 0930 1230 - 1330 Break for Lunch
Statement of Medical Condition

0930 – 1030 Check Certification Validity Training 1330 - 1430 Level 1 Manoeuvres
Venue Induction

1030 – 1130 Assemble Personal Kits Equipment Checks 1430 – 1530 Small Re-Anchor Rescue

1130 – 1230 Theory and Practical Review 1530 – 1630 Rigging Re-Anchors

L3 Question Paper & L2 Questions

Day 2

0800 – 1230 Review of Level 2 Syllabus

1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch 1330 – 1700 Review of Level 2 Syllabus

Day 3

Reporting and PPE thorough

Examinations PPE Question Paper
0800 – 0900 1230 – 1330 Break for Lunch
Tension Lines

0900 – 1000 10 Level 3 Questions (Homework) Level 2 1330 – 1600 Mid-Transfer Rescue Large Re-
Sample Questions Anchor Rescue

1000 – 1130 Short Link Rescue

1130 – 1230 Rescue Passing knots 1600 – 1700 Rigging with Rope Protection

Day 4

0800 – 0900 L2 and L3 Exam Questions 1300 – 1400 Review Hauling Systems
 Review RAMS and Rescue Planning

0900 – 1130 Team Rescue 1400 – 1530 Team Rescue

1130 – 1230 Review of Team Rescue Supervision 1530 – 1630 Review of Team Rescue Supervision

1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch 1630 – 1700 Week in Review

Day 5

0800 – 1230 Independent Assessment

1230 – 1300 Break for Lunch 1300 – 1600 Independent Assessment