IRATA Training Overview
IRATA Training is the global standard for industrial rope access certification, focused on safety, competence, and progressive development across three levels.
To complete IRATA certification, candidates must undertake a minimum of five days of training and assessment with an IRATA-approved provider and:
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shall be at least 18 years of age on the first date of Training.
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Should be physically fit (endurance of reparative climbing movements)
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Should be unaffected by medical conditions that may prevent them from working safely at height.
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Should have an appropriate attitude and aptitude to working safely at heights.
Health and Fitness
4.2.1 Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age on the first date of Training. 4.2.2 Candidates should be physically fit and unaffected by any disability or medical condition that may prevent them from working safely. They shall ensure that they have an adequate level of fitness, are physically able to perform the tasks expected in terms of strength, agility and co-ordination, and are able to withstand the stresses of the working environment, such as heat, cold, and other inclement weather. 4.2.3 Candidates are required to declare that they do not have any medical conditions or contra- indications that may prevent them from working safely. The minimum requirement is a self-certification statement, see the IRATA ‘Candidate Disclaimer and Liability Release’ [FM-014]. 4.2.4 It is recommended that prospective employees are in possession of an appropriate medical certificate before starting this kind of work, and that they are reassessed at regular intervals thereafter. 4.2.5 If a Candidate has a contra-indicated condition which is controlled with medication, they shall obtain a signed doctor’s note to show the Trainer Member Company or Employer that the condition should not prevent that person doing rope access work providing they have access to the required medication. 4.2.6 Candidates should consider their experience carefully before attempting to progress to a higher level. Candidates without appropriate experience, adequate pre-assessment Training and knowledge of the syllabus are unlikely to meet the required standard when assessed.
Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)
Conversion to IRATA Certification Candidates with rope access qualifications gained outside of the IRATA system may be eligible for conversion into the IRATA certification scheme. The requirements for conversion are available from IRATA Trainer Member Companies.
Suitability of Candidates for Training
4.1.1 To work safely in rope access requires those engaged in the work to have an appropriate attitude and aptitude. A good level of fitness and physical capability is also required. If unsure, an appraisal session should be arranged with an IRATA Trainer Member Company. 4.1.2 An aptitude for work at height includes not only having ‘a head for heights’, but also an appropriate level of responsibility and self-reliance. A healthy respect for heights remains an advantage; over-confident or reckless workers may present greater risks than the cautious. 4.1.3 Rope access work locations are often remote from outside help; it is, therefore, especially important that operatives can be relied upon to behave in a sensible and responsible manner. 4.1.4 The Trainer Member Company has the right to exclude any Candidate from Training if they have concerns over the Candidate’s health, fitness or attitude to safety during Training.
Pre-training Requirements: Upgrading to Levels 2 or 3
4.3.1 Candidates applying to upgrade shall be competent in all practical and theory requirements of their current level prior to attendance of an upgrade course, e.g. an existing Level 1 technician attending a Level 2 course shall be capable of performing all Level 1 syllabus requirements prior to the start of a Level 2 course. 4.3.2 Candidates who are not competent at their existing level may require additional Training. As little time is available on upgrade courses for Refresher Training, pre-course evaluation is recommended to verify the Candidates’ current level of competence. Trainer Member Companies shall verify that Candidates seeking to upgrade have met with the following requirements prior to commencing Training: a) their current Certification will still be valid on the day of Assessment; b) they have the necessary 1 years’ experience and 1000 Working Hours recorded and signed off in their Logbook. See 4.13 for more details on Logbooks. Note: 1 year experience means a technician is eligible for an upgrade Assessment on the calendar date one year and one day after their previous Assessment; e.g. 1st April 2023 Level 1 Assessment, 2nd April 2024 earliest possible Level 2 Assessment. 4.3.4 Rope access technicians who are upgrading or revalidating shall provide their Logbooks to the IRATA Trainer Member Company prior to the start of the Training course. Where rope access technicians have lost their Logbooks, they shall arrange for a replacement to be issued, completed and verified before Training commences. 4.3.5 Rope access technicians whose Certification has expired should refer to the ‘Procedures for IRATA Certification’ [TC-032] or contact an IRATA Trainer Member Company for further guidance.
Training Programmes
4.4.1 Training shall be carried out by full or probationary IRATA Trainer Member Companies. Non- member companies are not permitted to provide IRATA Training. 4.4.2 Training shall be led by an IRATA Level 3 rope access technician. The maximum Candidate to Trainer ratio shall be six to one (only with a Level 3 Instructor). See 7.4 for more information on Candidate/Trainer ratios. 4.4.3 The Trainer may have an assistant, who shall be an IRATA rope access technician qualified to the same or higher level as the Trainees. 4.4.4 A minimum of 4 days Training and the Assessment shall be completed within 60 days from the first date of Training, after which Candidates are required to attend a further minimum 4 days Training course. Evidence of qualifying for prior Training shall be presented to the Trainer Member Company prior to Assessment. 4.4.5 Supporting information shall be available to trainees and shall include as a minimum: • course hand-outs; • relevant equipment instructions; • IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102]; • IRATA Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme [TC-101]; • IRATA safety bulletins (all available from www.irata.org).
Assessment
4.6.1 The purpose of Assessment is to ensure that each Candidate demonstrates the required tasks in a safe manner, in accordance with the requirements of this scheme. 4.6.2 The Assessor shall not require tasks that are outside the relevant syllabus. 4.6.3 IRATA Assessments shall only be carried out by IRATA Assessors who are independent of the Candidate, the Candidate’s Employer and the organisation providing Training. 4.6.4 Before starting the Assessment, the Assessor and Trainer Member Company shall agree how the responsibility for the health and safety of the Candidates is to be managed. 4.6.5 All Candidates shall be fully briefed by the Assessor before and during the Assessment. 4.6.6 All Candidates are required to undergo a practical Assessment, where they shall demonstrate their competency as per the required ‘TACS’ [TC-101] syllabus items. Where appropriate, the Assessor may explore the Candidate’s knowledge further by discussion. Candidates being assessed for Level 3 certification will additionally be required to sit a Theory Examination. Candidates shall comply with examination and Assessment rules. If a Candidate is in breach of the rules, the Assessment shall be terminated, resulting in a fail. 4.6.7 Candidates may be asked to carry out an exercise, or exercises, that include more than one element of the Assessment. 4.6.8 There are two possible overall results: pass or fail. To pass the Assessment, the Candidate shall successfully complete all the required elements of the syllabus at the relevant level. The Assessment ends and the Candidate fails if one Major Discrepancy or three Minor Discrepancies are committed during the Assessment. For more information on Assessment criteria see clause 9.3. 4.6.9 The Candidate shall be able to obtain clarification of any requirement from the Assessor at any time during the Assessment. 4.6.10 The Assessor shall inform the Candidate of discrepancies and shall explain the safety issue(s) arising from the situation, when they occur and when safe to do so. 4.6.11 The Candidate shall sign the IRATA ‘Technician Assessment Form’ [FM-025] prior to the Assessment. At the end of the Assessment, the Assessor shall debrief each Candidate and inform them of their Assessment outcome. 4.6.12 Where a Candidate has failed to reach the required standard, the Assessor may specify that more Training is required. This should be completed before reassessment.
Reassessment
4.7.1 Candidates failing to attain a pass grade at their desired level are permitted to apply for a reassessment. Note: This includes Candidates whose Certification expires within 60 days following their original Assessment date. 4.7.2 Reassessment shall take place within 60 days of the original Assessment date, after which Candidates are required to attend a further Training course in full. 4.7.3 Candidates reassessing for IRATA certification shall provide a copy of their previous ‘Technician Assessment Form’ [FM-025] at the time of reassessment. Candidates unable to provide evidence of their previous Training shall be required to attend a Training course in full prior to re-assessment.
