IRATA Training: February
Levels 1,2 & 3
IRATA Level 1 Pre-training requirements
Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course.
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.
Candidates are required to declare that they do not have any medical conditions or contraindications that may prevent them from working safely. The minimum requirement is a self-certification statement, see the IRATA Candidate Disclaimer and Liability Release form [FM-014]. If a candidate has a contra-indicated condition which is controlled with medication, he/she shall obtain a signed doctor’s note to show the Training member company that the condition should not prevent that person doing rope access work providing they have access to the required medication.
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.
IRATA Level 2 and 3 Pre-training requirements
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 attending a Level 2 course shall be capable of performing all Level 1 techniques and answering Level 1 theory questions prior to the start of a Level 2 course.
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. Candidates seeking to upgrade shall ensure that: a) their current certification is still 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.
Rope access Technicians who are upgrading or re-validating 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. Rope access Technicians whose certification has expired should consult Procedures for IRATA Certification [TC-032].
Validity of certificates
Certification at all levels is valid for three years, or until the next assessment.
After the expiry date on the certificate has passed, rope access Technicians are no longer certified to carry out rope access operations. In exceptional circumstances IRATA may withdraw a Technician’s certification prior to its expiry date.
Such circumstances include a lack of regard to safety issues, inability to operate in a safe manner, abuse of IRATA certification and falsification of information. Certificates are issued in the name of the rope access technician, not the employer, irrespective of who has paid for the course. A change of employer for a rope access technician, therefore, is not a cause for reassessment.