The safety and efficiency of industrial rope access operations depend on an organization’s commitment to successfully implement three key components: 1) Good Training, 2) Appropriate Equipment, and 3) Experienced Supervision.  The Level I Worker is qualified to work under appropriate supervision, the Level II Technician is qualified to rig rope access systems and perform most rescues, while the Level III Supervisor carries ultimate responsibility for the jobsite.

 

This 40-hour course is intended to prepare candidates for the SPRAT or IRATA Level III Technician certification.  Level III focuses on team leadership skills and job safety management skills, including advanced rescue scenarios and advanced rigging.

 

Learning Objectives

Following the course and successful completion of the evaluation, the technician should:

·          evaluate the safety of rope access equipment and systems

·          perform basic and advanced access techniques

·          understand fundamental system analysis

·          establish anchor systems

·          efficiently perform standard rescue procedures using mechanical advantage and lowering systems

 

Safety Standards and Documentation

·          Review of Guidelines for Rope Access Work and relevant legislation

·          Qualifications and responsibilities required of each level of Rope Access Technician

·          Using the hierarchy of risk the choose the best methods of access and fall protection

·          Reviewing team members documentation including experience logbooks, equipment logs, and job hazard analysis

·          Insuring consistent safety checks among team members

·          Insuring proper and effective communication between team members

·          Establishing Access, Hazard, and Safe Zones

·          Insuring that the employer’s equipment management program is carried out.

Systems Analysis and Rigging

·          Review fundamental knots and reinforce advance knots (e.g. munter/mule)

·          Refine advanced rigging skills (structural and load sharing/distributing multi-point anchoring) taking into account fall line, rigging angles, area of work, and terrain

·          Pre-rigging anchors for lowering or pull-through

·          Discussion of anchor installation/testing

·          Analysis of rope access systems, including fall factors, impact forces, and resultants

 

Technical Rope Access Skills

·          Brief review of fundamental skills including passing knots, deviations, and intermediate anchors (re-belay), rope to rope transfer and horizontal aid climbing.

·          Risk assessment for vertical aid climbing.

·          Structure climbing: Overview of horizontal/vertical lifelines, shock absorbing Y-lanyards, and other standard fall protection systems

 

Rescue Skills

·          Risk management & rescue protocol

·          Managing suspension trauma

·          Single person rescue pick-off of a descending and ascending casualty (including 1:1 pick off with foot loop)

·          Descending with casualty past obstructions (redirect, knots, and rebelay)

·          Mechanical advantage systems utilizing standard equipment and pulley systems

·          Pitch-head hauling

·          Rescue hauling w/rescue rope

·          Rescue from aid traverse

·          Cross-hauling

·          High-line and guideline rescue systems

 

Prerequisites

Candidates seeking certification to SPRAT or IRATA Level III Technician must have appropriate previous industrial rope access experience (current SPRAT requirements are 1000 hours and IRATA requirements are 2000 hours).  Participants will be asked to perform moderate to strenuous activities.  A physical examination by a doctor is strongly recommended. Candidates will be required to sign a Liability Release Form and a Statement of Medical Condition confirming the absence of known medical conditions that might preclude their ability to safely work at height.  Please see physical requirements for rope access work for more details.