Industrial Rope Access – IRATA Courses
What is IRATA TACS?
TACS refers to IRATA’s Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme which sets out the training, assessment and certification criteria for personnel engaging rope access work methods.
It details the requirements for obtaining and revalidating your IRATA certification for the various levels, explains the training syllabus and assessment criteria and provides guidance for candidates, including pre-training requirements and topics covered.
TACS also details the requirements and provides guidance for IRATA training member companies, Instructors and Assessors and the assessment process.
Are there any medical requirements?
Yes, you will need to complete IRATA’s Candidate Disclaimer and Liability Release form which details any physiological or psychological conditions which may effect your ability to safely complete the course.
You must complete the declaration honestly and we also reserve the right to remove anyone from the training course, at any time if we consider them to pose a risk to the health and safety of themselves or others.
Click here to download FM014 Candidate Declaration and Liability Release
How fit/strong do I need to be?
Rope access can be a strenous activity and your training course will at times push you physically, however with the correct training and proper techniques anyone with a reasonable level of strength and fitness can successfully complete the course.
That said, if you are concerned about your fitness please contact us and we can offer you some sound advice to help improve your fitness prior to your course.
Do I have to have my own harness?
No. We supply all technical equipment including harness and helmet while you are on course. You should have comfortable clothing (just like if you were exercising) and covered footwear. If you have long hair, please ensure you tie it back. If you want to buy your own equipment for use after the course, please contact us for special student packages.
Do I need to have an existing trade qualification such as being a builder?
No. To enter our course and become qualified as a rope access technician IRATA you do not need to have an existing trade qualification. Many graduates with no prior qualifications go into employment after becoming IRATA qualified. Those that enjoy “hands on” work should find the course rewarding. Naturally, if you have other skills that are useful to a potential employer such as another trade qualification or experiences, you should be more appealing and capable of taking on more complex projects.
What do you mean by independent assessment?
Your assessment will be carried out by an independent IRATA certified assessor in accordance with the specific assessment criteria for each IRATA level.
I.A Solutions has no involvement in the assessment process other than a healthy dose of encouragement and moral support.
There are no grey areas, as the assessment is made against strict, transparent criteria detailed in the TACS Assessors Checklist and which require candidates to successfully complete particular manoeuvres in a timely, efficient manner.
Your assessor will brief you prior to commencing your assessment and you are free to ask questions or seek clarification from the assessor at anytime during your assessment.
Click here to download MP060 TACS Assessors Checklist
So what do I have to do to pass my assessment?
To pass your assessment you’ll need to complete each manoeuvre or scenario requested by your assessor in a timely, competent manner.
You also need to be aware that an IRATA rope access course is not a ‘participate and you pass’ affair. It is like sitting your driving licence, if you make too many mistakes, take too long or fail to complete the assigned and requested manoeuvres you won’t pass your assessment.
You may fail your assessment by –
- Failing to complete a scenario or manoeuvre as instructed by your assessor
- Excessive time to complete a scenario or manoeuvre
- Committing three minor discrepancies (acts which compromise the safety of yourself or others) e.g. failing to lock a karabiner
- Committing one major discrepancy (a critical safety issue which place yourself or others at risk) e.g. one point of contact
- Major and minor discrepancies will be explained to you by your assessor prior to the assessment and your trainers will also constantly drill you on them as we progress through the training.
Click here to download MP060 TACS Assessors Checklist
What happens if I fail?
Despite your best efforts, what happen when things just don’t pan out the way you hoped. Well don’t fret TARA guarantees its training!
This means we’ll give you as much free training as you need and all you need to pay is a $300 incl. GST, re-assessment fee to cover IRATA registration and assessment costs.
All you’ll need to do is book on to the next available course vacancy and we’ll take care of the rest.
What do I need for IRATA Level 1?
Are you 18 years of age? Do you have a reasonable standard of fitness?
Well that’s pretty much it, just complete your minimum of 4 days training and pass your 1 day assessment and you’ll be a shiny new IRATA Level 1.
How about IRATA Level 2?
OK, here’s where it starts getting a little more serious.
To move up from IRATA Level 1 to Level 2, you’ll need a minimum of 1000 logged hours and 12 months experience as an IRATA Level 1.
You’ll then need to complete a minimum 4 days of IRATA Level 2 training and pass your 1 day assessment.
And remember if you cannot produce your IRATA logbook on assessment day you will not be assessed!
What about IRATA Level 3?
This is the pinnacle, an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Safety Supervisor no less.
To move up from IRATA Level 2 to Level 3, you’ll need a minimum of 1000 logged hours and 12 months experience as an IRATA Level 2.
You’ll then need to compete a minimum 4 days of IRATA Level 3 training and pass your 1 day assessment.
Again, no official IRATA log book on assessment day, no assessment!
What is the deal with IRATA logbooks? Why do I need an IRATA logbook ?
Your IRATA logbook is essentially your passport to work and is used to record all your work details, including hours, tasks undertaken, height of work and access techniques used etc.
It’s an essential item for candidates wishing to be assessed to higher IRATA levels, as they’ll need to be able to produce a correctly filled out, up to date logbook detailing the hours required for them to be considered for higher levels.
You must produce your up to date logbook on day one of your training so we can check off your hours and ensure it’s completed correctly prior to your assessment.
Logged hours must be signed off by an IRATA Level 3 or the worksite manager or supervisor.
So remember keep it safe and keep it up to date because if you can’t produce an updated logbook you cannot sit your assessment!
How long does my certification last?
All IRATA qualifications last for 3 years from the date of your successful assessment.
Why should I choose IRATA over IRAANZ?
It all boils down to 2 simple things, maximising your personal safety and your work prospects.
IRATA is recognised globally as the industry leader in industrial rope access. It has developed its own safe system of work which includes its Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme (TACS), International Codes of Practice (ICOP) and audited member companies and their operating procedures.
IRATA’s safe system of work has produced an unprecedented safety record during its almost 30 years of operation. This system has been repeatedly shown, over 10’s of millions of man hours to be the safest most efficient rope access system in the world.
In contrast, IRAANZ is essentially an independent certification body without any formal safe system of work. It has no direct control over the delivery, contents or quality of NZQA’s rope access training modules. It also does not produce its own operating guidelines instead relying on Worksafe New Zealand’s best bractice guidelines.
Still not convinced? Well lets talk work prospects….
IRATA – recognised globally and accepted in over 50 countries around the world.
The industry standard for rope access work in the international oil and gas and resources sectors, including Australia’s iron ore mines and Alumina refineries.
One of only two rope access certifications recognised by the Global Wind Organisation for rope access work on wind turbines.
IRAANZ – recognised and accepted in New Zealand and a few states of Australia where it is generally restricted to the building maintenance sector.
I’ve been in rope access for years, can I do direct entry to level 2 & 3?
Unfortunately IRATA’s direct entry procedure was withdrawn in 2019 and replaced with a conversion process for a variety of approved international certifications including –
- SPRAT
- FISAT
- SOFT
- IWH
If you hold one of the approved certifications and want to convert please contact us for further information.
My IRATA certification has expired, do I have to start again from Level 1?
No, provided your certification has not been expired for longer than 6 months you can regain your current level.
Once you’ve successfully completed your 5 day training and assessment, you’re good to go.
There’s a little more to it if you have the required hours and are planning on moving up a level.
Firstly you’ll need to successfully complete 4 days training and 1 day assessment for the level you held previously i.e. level 1 or 2
Once you’re back in the saddle, you’ll need to complete an additional 150 logged hours experience at your current level before you can undertake an IRATA training course at a higher level.
Click here to download TC032 Procedures for IRATA Certification
What if my certification has been expired for longer than 6 months?
Again you won’t have to start from scratch, however you will have a few more hurdles.
Provided your certification has not been expired for a longer than 24 months, you will be able to re-certify to your previous level.
You will need to complete a 1 day refresher training course with an IRATA training member company and ensure its recorded in your logbook prior to undertaking your revalidation training and assessment.
You’ll need to complete an additional 150 logged hours experience at your current level before you can undertake an IRATA training course at a higher level.
Click here to download TC032 Procedures for IRATA Certification
Mine expired years ago!
Sorry to say it, but once you’ve hit the 24 month mark there’s no coming back to your previous IRATA level.
You’ll need to complete a 4 day training course and 1 day assessment at the level immediately below your previous level i.e. an expired level 2 will drop to level 1 and a level 3 will drop to level 2.
However its not all doom and gloom, you’ll be eligible to register for training and assessment at your previous level after an additional 150 logged hours at your current level.
Click here to download TC032 Procedures for IRATA Certification
