What is rope access?
Rope Access is a protected work positioning system where prescribed techniques, advanced synthetic ropes and specialized hardware are used as the primary means of providing protected access to vertical structures and features. Generally a two-rope system is employed: the working rope supports the worker and the safety rope provides back-up fall protection
Rope Access associations
The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association or IRATA, was formed in the UK in the late 1980’s to solve maintenance challenges in the offshore oil and gas industry. Its formation was the result of an initiative of a number of leading companies, who had begun to use industrial rope access techniques, to provide safe working conditions in vertical environments for the industry.
IRATA requires its member companies to be frequently audited against its membership requirements to demonstrate compliance. Such audits are undertaken by a third party and verified by objective evidence. IRATA directs and regulates, through its members, the training of all workers seeking its qualifications. IRATA member companies provide training, operational services, or both.
As of November 2019, IRATA had 542 Member Companies and has trained more than 150.000 technicians worldwide, of whom over 77.000 were active at the time of writing. In 2018, IRATA Member Companies reported a total of 20 million work hours, of which 1.2 million were performed in North America.”
The Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) is a member-driven organization that advances the safe use of rope access through education, standards development, and certification administration. SPRAT was established in the mid 90’s to address the needs of a growing number of companies and operators employing rope access techniques in North America. SPRAT’s mission is to advance the safe use of rope access through education, standards development, and administering certifications. Since 2001, thousands of rope access technicians representing dozens of companies and government agencies have been certified to SPRAT standards. Currently, SPRAT supports companies and technicians using rope access with regulatory support, networking, and opportunities to participate in developing industry-consensus standards.
Levels of certification
Both Associations certify technicians to three different levels, namely Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 technicians. All technicians are required to get re certified at least every three years should they not upgrade their certification prior.
Level 1 Technician
Upon successfully completing a course and passing an independent third-party test, the trainees are qualified as Level 1 technicians, or rope access workers. They are qualified to ascend and descend ropes, as well as transfer between multiple rope system and pass a series of basic obstacles. All Level 1 technicians have an awareness of hazard mitigation, rope protection, job planning and are basic rescue-trained. All technicians receive a card, a certificate and a logbook, in which all work hours, experience and certification should be logged.
Level 2 Lead Technician
The hours required to qualify to take a Level 2 course vary based on the association. SPRAT requires a minimum of 500 hours of experience logged in at least six months before a technician can register for a Level 2 upgrade. IRATA requires 1000 hours of work experience and at least one full year before candidates are eligible for an upgrade.
Level 2 technicians are experienced workers who have demonstrated strong proficiency in Level 1 skills , and in addition have been tested in more advanced rigging, a wider array of rescue capabilities and advanced load handling techniques using rope access.
Level 3 Supervisor
The hours required to qualify to take a Level 3 course vary based on the association. SPRAT required 500 hours accrued and at least 6 months since obtaining a Level 2 certification. IRATA requires a 1000 hours to be logged in at least one year from Level 2 certification.
The Level 3 technician is capable of performing all techniques of the Level 1 and Level 2 syllabus as well as additionally more complex rigging and rescue systems. Level 3s are conversant with legislative requirements, in-depth equipment knowledge, job planning and must hold a current First-Aid Certificate to work. They are the primary team first aid provider and are tasked with the safe planning and execution of rope access jobs.