Rope Access Technician

Job Summary

Rope access Technicians carry out a wide variety of inspection, maintenance, and repair services using rope and related equipment to access and complete work tasks at considerable heights.  Because of the potential hazards associated with this work, it is essential that technicians are properly trained in the use of the methods of access that they will use.  A formal grading structure where workers are grouped into three grades, depending upon their experience and level of assessment.  The basic requirements for the three levels are as follows:

• Level 1: Technician: A technician who is capable to perform a specified range of rope access tasks under the supervision of a Level 3
• Level 2: Lead Technician: An experienced technician who has all the Level 1 skills plus more complex rigging, rescue and rope access skills, under the supervision of a Level 3
• Level 3: Supervisor; An experienced technician who is capable of complete responsibility for rope access safety in work projects; is able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of Levels 1 & 2; is conversant with the relevant work techniques and legislation; has an extensive knowledge of advanced rigging and rescue techniques; holds an appropriate and current first aid certificate and has knowledge of the IRATA certification scheme.

Reports to: Operations Manager

Duties/Responsibilities

• Depending upon the Technician Level, perform a wide variety of inspections, maintenance, and repair services using rope and related equipment to access and complete work tasks at considerable heights, per the experienced skills i.e. NDT Tech, Painter, Welder

Skills/Abilities Overview

LEVEL 1 – ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN:

• No previous experience required.
• Attitude & aptitude for working at height.
• Physically and medically fit.
• Minimum age of 18 years.
• 5-day training course in rope access.
• Independent IRATA assessment.
• Capable of performing a range of activities under the supervision of a Level 3.
• Responsible for own personal rope access equipment.

LEVEL 2 – ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN:

• Minimum of 12 months and 1000 hours of verified work experience in a variety of tasks as a Level 1 rope access technician.
• Physically and medically fit.
• 5-day training course in rope access, rigging and rescue.
• Independent assessment.
• Capable of rigging ropes and undertaking rescues, including hauling, under the supervision of a Level 3 rope access technician.

LEVEL 3 – ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN (SUPERVISOR):

• Minimum of 12 months and1000 hours of verified work experience as a Level 2 rope access technician.
• Physically and medically, fit.
• Appropriate first aid certificate.
• Written recommendation from an IRATA member company or assessor.
• 5-day training course in advanced rope access techniques, rescue, equipment examination and legislation.
• Independent assessment.
• Capable of site supervision for rope access work projects.
• Comprehensive knowledge of advanced rescue techniques.
• Conversant with relevant work techniques and legislation.

*Independent re-assessment every three years at all levels, following a minimum of four days of refresher training.

*Technicians not engaged in rope access work for six months or more shall attend refresher training.

Training/Competency/Certifications

To enable rope access work to be carried out safely requires rope access technicians to be competent. It is expected that rope access technicians should have sufficient professional and technical training, knowledge, experience and authority to:

• Carry out their assigned duties at the level of responsibility allocated to them
• Understand the potential hazards related to the work under consideration and be able to carry out appropriate workmate rescue procedures
• Detect technical defects or omissions in their work and equipment, recognize implications for health and safety caused by those defects or omissions and be able to specify remedial action to mitigate those implications

 Level 1 Technician: To achieve this status, having satisfied all pre-requisites, candidates are required to undertake a minimum 4-day approved training course followed by a 1-day assessment by an independent assessor. The candidate will be required to demonstrate all the skills required of the Level 1 syllabus, which will include the ability to inspect their own personal rope access equipment, assist in rigging and non-standard operations under supervision, be able to undertake a rescue involving descent by themselves and have knowledge of hauling systems.

Level 2 Technician: To progress to a Level 2 rope access technician, where they are considered an experienced worker, the candidate must have logged at least 1000 working hours utilizing rope access techniques over a minimum 1-year period. This will be followed by completion of a minimum 4 days training and 1-day assessment on the Level 2 syllabus by an independent IRATA assessor. Candidates shall be required to demonstrate all the skills expected of a Level 1 plus rigging that is more complex, rescue and rope access skills and have some knowledge of legislation, safety requirements and quality assurance procedures relating to rope access.

Level 3 Technician: To progress to Level 3 rope access technician, a minimum of 1000 further working hours at Level 2 utilizing rope access techniques over a minimum 1-year period must be demonstrated. The combined minimum therefore is 2000 working hours over a 2-year period. This will be followed by a completion of a minimum 4 days training and 1-day assessment on the Level 3 syllabus by an independent IRATA assessor. Candidates are required to demonstrate all the skills expected of Level 1 & 2, be capable of site supervision of rope access projects, have a thorough knowledge of relevant work techniques and legislation, advanced rescue techniques and IRATA certification scheme, Safe Practices and associated documents. Required to hold a suitable current approved Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certificate as a minimum.

Training

• To ensure continued competence in rope access techniques, all levels will be required to undergo further training and re-assessment every 3 years. If this is not successfully completed, technicians will not be permitted to undertake rope access work.
• Where a technician will not be progressing up to the next Level, they will be required to undertake the refresher-training course for their current Level at an approved training facility completing a minimum 4-day training and 1-day assessment by an independent assessor. Technicians are expected to have a good level of self-awareness of their own abilities.
• In the event a rope access technician has not been engaged in rope access activities for a period of 6 months or more, they will be required to attend refresher training appropriate to their Level prior to being permitted to undertake rope access work. Refresher training should not be carried out during operational duties.
• Rope access personnel are required to maintain their knowledge of industry best practice and current legislation. Although this will largely be covered during the 3 yearly re-certification they should be conscious of, and make themselves familiar with, any changes or updates that may occur during the period in between.

Skills/Abilities

It is expected that all rope access technicians will be able to:

• Understand the limitations of their level of training with regard to work practices
• Understand the various uses of the equipment they use and its limitations
• Select equipment correctly
• Use the equipment correctly
• Inspect their equipment
• Maintain and store the equipment they use

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Refer to “Skills Overview Chart”