Paul Ramsden Industrial Rope Access Training

COURSE AIMS / QUALIFICATIONS

The aim of the course is to enable candidates [minimum age 18] without previous rope-work or industrial experience to become competent using industrial rope access techniques and complete simple rescue methods. The course is mainly practical, but is reinforced with theory sessions and concludes with a pass / fail assessment by an independent IRATA Assessor to maintain standards. Successful candidates gain the IRATA Level 1 qualification, which has a 3-year validity and are deemed competent to work under the supervision of an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access supervisor. In order to progress from Level 1 to Level 2, a minimum of twelve months and 1000 hours of logged work experience is required followed by further training and assessment. This is illustrated in the flowchart of the IRATA qualifications and requirements.

The minimum training requirement for IRATA Level 1 is 4 days training plus the assessment day = five days in total.

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates need to have an aptitude to work at heights and require a good level of physical fitness. During some exercises candidates need to be able to pull themselves up with their arms. Very occasionally candidates may be asked to leave the course during training, or are unable to complete the assessment because of lack of physical fitness.

Certain medical conditions are a definite contra-indication to the safe and successful completion of an industrial rope access course.

Ideally candidates should be in possession of an appropriate full industrial medical certificate. As a minimum, you are required to sign the medical form to show you are historically free of the conditions listed below and have a reasonable level of physical fitness. This means that there is no reason to exclude you from participation in a rope access training course or assessment.

Failure to produce some form of medical certificate, or to sign the self-certification statement will result in your exclusion from the training course or assessment.

Principal contra-indications to working at height include the following:

• Heart disease / chest pain
• High blood pressure
• Epilepsy, fits, blackouts
• Fear of heights / Vertigo
• Giddiness / difficulty with balance
• Impaired limb function
• Alcohol or drug dependence
• Psychiatric illness / counselling
• Diabetes

If in doubt about these conditions, or how they may affect you please consult your Doctor. A self-certification medical form is sent in advance with the booking form.

COURSE DURATION

5 days with an assessment on the last day

LOCATION

Courses are run in London and Bristol, also according to demand at any suitable premises. Extra courses may be run on dates to suit for groups of 4 people.

EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS

Rope Access is a growing industry. Work includes construction, repairs, geo-technical (e.g. rock scaling) inspection, testing (NDT), cleaning and painting on offshore platforms and onshore structures. Generally trade skills are needed in addition to an IRATA rope access certificate to get a job. It is possible to train a weld inspector or electrician to work from ropes under supervision in 5 days, but it is not possible to train a caver or climber to become an electrician in 5 days. The access system is sometimes called "the bus to work"- once at the worksite you need to offer some trade skills. Rope Access contracting companies may advise what skills they require. Contacts for IRATA Operator (contracting) companies can be found on the IRATA website or

If you do not already have work offered, it is useful to do research into potential employment before the start of the course. This will help to ensure you are not wasting your money. If you are able to start working soon after the course, it will reinforce the training before you begin to forget techniques.

IRATA MEMBERS ROPE ACCESS SAFETY RECORD

The dedication of IRATA to thorough training regimes in centres that have been independently assessed, strict operational procedures that are applied universally and a membership that is subject to independent audit on joining and regular re-audits thereafter, ensures these high standards are being maintained in a world where corners are cut and inconsistencies are commonplace. The success of IRATA has been achieved by taking its role in managing industrial rope access seriously; its dominant role is now recognised worldwide where it boasts more than 8000 technicians operating in over 50 countries and member companies in every continent.

The latest summary to year-end 2004 completes 16 years of collating safety records from IRATA members. It clearly demonstrates the excellent safety record of IRATA members.

• More IRATA companies than ever and reporting on nearly one and half million hours on ropes in 2004
• Zero deaths on ropes in the year reported, and therefore still none in the sixteen years of these reports being published [*The death of a rope access technician is covered in the report. The person concerned was not involved in rope access at the time of the incident]
• An incident rate of 2.17 per 100.000 hours [2004], substantially below the industry average and well short of the average of past reports
• Effective training, diligent supervision, and a proven method saves lives
• The statistics show IRATA operating more safely than the work-at-height industry as a whole
• The hours shown in IRATA statistics are only working hours on ropes and do not include down time or holidays as some others in the industry show

The IRATA member's figures are based ononly those who work on ropes, or in conjunction with rope access. The industry figures include the total numbers employed in the industry, whether they are wages clerks, call centre workers or receptionists. In addition the IRATA figures show only the hours worked in conjunction with rope access, they do not include down time or holidays etc. Taking these considerations into account it is possible to claim that despite being a hazardous activity, rope access when following the IRATA system is possibly four times safer than industry generally and eight times safer than the construction industry taken as a whole. The continuing excellent results posted by the members have now been recognised by the insurance industry, in fact some insurance companies are asking for IRATA qualifications.

COURSE CONTENT

The course is quite intensive, mainly practical with an emphasis on working safely and the learning of skills. There are theory sessions to ensure understanding and awareness of what is essential for a safe system of work. Some evening reading/revision is expected.

INTRODUCTION TO ROPE ACCESS

Induction

IRATA Guidelines for a safe system of work

Risk Assessment

Applications of Rope Access to work situations

ASCENDING & DESCENDING ROPES

Using independent working and backup ropes

ROPE MANOEUVRES

Changeovers – Down to up & vice-versa

Deviations, Intermediate anchors, Rope to rope transfer

Passing knots, Traversing.

ROPES & RIGGING

Ropes and essential knots

Theory & principles of safe rigging

HORIZONTAL AID CLIMBING & FALL ARREST

Theory of Fall Factors & safe movement

RESCUE TECHNIQUES

Descent mode rescue

Hauling systems with a casualty

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Specifications, standards, inspection and maintenance

LEGISLATION

Relevant Statutes, Guidelines and Equipment Standards

WORKPLACE ORGANISATION

Rope Access in the workplace with an emphasis on safety.

COURSE FEES - IRATA LEVEL 1

Include:

• Instruction by a highly experienced trainer

• All specialist rope access equipment and comprehensive training manual,

• Assessment by an independent IRATA Assessor,

• Registration/Certification with IRATA (costs £63.48).

Registration is arranged at the end of the course for successful candidates for which three passport sized photographs and your National Insurance Number are required.

The Registration package includes

IRATA Certificate of Competence,

Logbook,

I.D. card,

‘IRATA Guidelines on the use of Rope Access Methods for Industrial Purposes’ (£45 to non members)

‘General Requirements for Certification of Personnel engaged in Industrial Rope Access Methods’ (£40 to non members).

Sun Lea, Joss Lane, Sedbergh, Cumbria, LA10 5AS

e-mail: 07866 442010

Tel/Fax: 015396 – 20828 Mobile: Revision Janaury 2006