An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at JC International Ltd, Plot 5, JC Street, Off Peter Odili Road, Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, 50010, Nigeria on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact George McLean at [email protected] or Nathan Ugboro at [email protected].
An IRATor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Delta Inspection and Petroleum Services, 3 Block G, Ataka-Suez Free Zone , Suez City, Suez State, 43713, Egypt on Wednesday, 9 April 2025 at 13:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Mohamed Abdalla at [email protected] or by telephone +201005067720.A Assess
The IRATA Benelux RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Thursday 27th March 2025
Time: 13:00 (UTC+1)
Location: Via video conference
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Pacific Ropes Contracting Ltd, 1-5895 Trapp Ave., Burnaby, BC, V3N 5G4, Canada on Friday, 28 March 2025 at 16:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Miroslav Herceg at [email protected] or by telephone +1 778 877 4498.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Melior Access Solutions, Silver Street 7 Business Park, Silverstreet Brackenfell Industrial, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7560, South Africa on Tuesday, 1st April 2025 at 08:30 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Jamaine Adams at [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at SWAT Sp z.o.o., Elektronowa 5, Lodz, 94-103, Poland on Saturday, 29 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Maciej Kosiński at [email protected] or by telephone +48 600322030.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Alpinist Safety Consultants, 13B Marinus Street, Marconi Beam, Milnerton, Western Cape, 7441, South Africa on Monday, 17 March 2025 at 11:00 AM SAST. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Micale Britz at [email protected] or by telephone +27(0)21 555 0781.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Eastav Global SLU, Avda. de la Comunicación, Nave 47, Polígono ind. El Cáñamo III, Sevilla, San José de la Rinconada, 41300, Spain on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Viviana Calvo at [email protected] or by telephone +34 625241990.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Oilfield Testing Services, Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NU, United Kingdom on Friday, 21 March 2025 at 13:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Jerry Smith on the telephone number (01493) 440555.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Gravitat S.L., c/ del Mig, 32, Poligon Pla d’en Coll, Montcada i Reixac, 08110, Barcelona, Spain on Friday, 28 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact [email protected] or telephone +34 93 023 60 56.
The IRATA MECASA RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Friday 21st March 2025
Time: 15:00 (UTC+4)
Location: Via video conference
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA Eastern Europe RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Friday 28th March 2025
Time: 16:00 (UTC+3)
Location: Via video conference
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA Mediterranean RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Thursday 20th March 2025
Time: 11:00 (UTC+1)
Location: Via video conference
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA South East Asia RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Tuesday 18th March 2025
Time: 13:00 (UTC+7)
Location: Via video conference
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA Southern Africa RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Tuesday 18th March 2025
Time: 10:00 (UTC+2)
Location: Stay Easy Century City, Century Blvd, Milnerton, Cape Town, 7446, South Africa
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in February 2025:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
Standards Australia has introduced AS 5532:2025 – ‘Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor device used for harness-based work at height’. This new edition is intended to supersede AS/NZS 5532:2013, and a draft is available for public comment.
The standard specifies manufacturing performance requirements, test methods, marking and product instruction requirements for single-point anchor devices for industrial fall-protection systems. It covers anchor devices for use with equipment that conforms to the AS(AS/NZS) 1891 series and the AS/NZS 4488 series.
The key changes to this edition of the standard, as defined by Standards Australia, include:
The updates to this Australian standard may impact the operations and procedures of IRATA Members. Those who wish to review the draft and provide feedback to Standards Australia, either individually or on behalf of their Member Company, can do so until 1st May 2025.
Although this is primarily an Australian standard, the review process is open to all.
To review the document, you must first register an account with Standards Australia. The draft can be accessed for comment using the button below:
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Prevent SRL, 11/A, Via Alessandro Monteneri, 06129, Perugia, Italy on Saturday, 29 March 2025 at 09:30 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Giulio Gualtieri at [email protected] or by telephone +39 3384942435.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Access Techniques Ltd, 76-136, Unit 4, Edmund Road, Sheffield, S2 4EE, South Yorkshire, England on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Laura Whitehouse at [email protected] or by telephone 0114 2737398.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Toasu Inc, 1098, Yonedacho Yoneda, Takasago Shi, Hyogo Ken, 676-0805, Japan on Sunday, 30 March 2025 at 12:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Yoichi Fujimoto at [email protected] or by telephone +81 90 3276 7556.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at High Q Pty Ltd, Unit 4, 180 Northgate Road, Northgate, Brisbane, Queensland, 4013, Australia on Thursday, 24 April 2025 at 12:30 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Karl Raby at [email protected] or by telephone 0732550522.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Red Rope Access Pty Ltd, 17/51 Lancaster Road, Wangara, Perth, 6065, Australia on Thursday, 6 March 2025 at 16:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Michael Reid at [email protected] or by telephone 0437516665.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Rig Pro Safety Training LLC, Workshop 150, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, 21 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Darrell Coupland at [email protected] or by telephone +971567565050.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Arco Professional Safety Services Ltd, Unit 5, Raleigh Hall Industrial Estate, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6JL on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Steven Dawson at [email protected] or by telephone 07723023920.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at 3T Training Services, Unit 3&4 Jupiter Court, Orion Business Park, North Shields, NE297SE, United Kingdom on Saturday, 22 March 2025 at 08:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Jack Gibson at [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Urban Abseiler Pty Ltd, Unit 6/9 Dawson Street, North Coburg, Melbourne, Victoria, 3058, Australia on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 08:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Alan Lambert at [email protected] or by telephone 03 8589 3944.
Our next Training Committee meeting will take place on Wednesday 5th March 2025 via teleconference, at 09:00 (GMT).
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees.
IRATA is pleased to announce that the Level 3 Technician theory exam is now available in French.
New languages will be released in the coming weeks, and the list of available languages here will be regularly updated as new options are introduced.
We are grateful for the support of our members who have assisted with the technical translation verification as we continue our ongoing effort to make our certification program accessible to a broader range of technicians worldwide.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Alpindustry WRS Kft, Kiss Erno Street 17, H-3531, Miskolc, Hungary on Sunday, 16 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Reka Szekrenyi-Szabo at [email protected].
The IRATA Scandinavia RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Saturday 22nd February 2025
Time: 15:30 (GMT+1)
Location: C2 Vertical Safety AB, Börjegatan 78, 752 29, Uppsala, Sweden
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA UK RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Thursday 20th February 2025
Time: 09:00 – 11:00 (GMT)
Location: Hydrajaws, 73 Kettlebrook Rd, Tamworth B77 1AG
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
Our next Equipment and Standards Committee meeting will take place on Thursday 20th February 2025 via teleconference, at 13:00 (GMT).
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Agence 10CH, Route de Granges 9, CH-1607, Palézieux, Switzerland on Saturday, 12 April 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Vincent Zagula at [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Rigging International Group, 4240 N. Lamb Blvd, Ste 115, Las Vegas, 89115, NV, United States on Sunday, 23 February 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Chad Shearer at [email protected] or by telephone +1-530-277-8862.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Keltic Falcon Rope Access Experts Inc., Unit 103, 612 Windmill Rd., Dartmouth, B2W-0K6, Nova Scotia, Canada on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Daniel Thornton at [email protected] or by telephone 902-818-5292.
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in January 2025:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at BeSafety Limited, Unit 3, 23 Redhill Business Park, Holmethorpe Avenue, Redhill, RH1 2GD, United Kingdom on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Sue Roffe at [email protected] or by telephone 07920 116900.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Aurora Energy Services, 34 Longman Drive, Inverness, IV1 1SU, United Kingdom on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 09:30 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Pauline Stewart at [email protected] or by telephone 01463 212 777.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at C2 Vertical Safety AB, Börjegatan 78, 75229, Uppsala, Sweden on Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Inga Kazlauskaite at [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Traks FZ LLC, Warehouse 10, Al Serkal Properties, Dubai Investment Park 1,74206, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, 6 June 2025 at 14:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Karen Mae Alejo at [email protected] or by telephone (+971)4 – 880 – 2425.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Idtec Alpinismo Industrial Ltda - ME, Rua da Conceição 150-152, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 20080032, Brazil on Sunday, 23 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Ildinei de Oliveira Sousa at [email protected] or by telephone +55 21 99393-9682.
IRATA International is delighted to announce the launch of the Rope Access Safety Supervisor (RASS) Scheme, which marks a significant step forward in enhancing safety and supervision standards across the rope access industry.
The ‘Rope Access Safety Supervisor Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme’ (IRATA RASSTACS) [TC-401] provides a framework for IRATA member companies to design training courses tailored to their specific regional and operational needs while adhering to IRATA’s world-leading safety standards.
This training will elevate the capabilities of IRATA Level 3 Technicians, equipping them with advanced safety and supervisory skills. By supplementing their existing rope access expertise, RASS certification prepares IRATA Level 3 Technicians to become outstanding leaders capable of adapting to the dynamic challenges of rope access operations.
The RASS syllabus focuses on:
IRATA Full Trainer and/or Operator members can apply to become certified RASS Training Providers, and applications for RASS Instructors are open. Approved providers will then be able to deliver the RASS courses to eligible candidates.
This course addresses the growing industry demand for advanced supervisory skills and ensures Technicians leave your training centre, or represent your company on-site, with unmatched expertise.
Approved RASS Training Providers will deliver an intensive program combining classroom-based training and team exercises, thereby developing a Technician’s ability to confidently lead teams, enforce safety practices, and communicate effectively.
Technicians will have the opportunity to attend IRATA RASS courses once the first RASS Training Provider is approved to deliver training. Further details will be announced once the first training provider has been approved.
Visit the RASS section of the IRATA website for detailed information on becoming a RASS Training Provider.
The ‘IRATA RASSTACS’ [TC-401] details the requirements for RASS Instructors. Candidates can apply to become a RASS Instructor through the Technician Portal here.
Lead the way in rope access safety with IRATA’s RASS Scheme.
The IRATA MECASA RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Wednesday 5th February 2025
Time: 13:00 – 17:30
Meeting Location: Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa, Anna Waddo, Main, Candolim Rd, Candolim, Goa 403515, India
The IRATA Executive Committee and key members of IRATA Head Office will be in attendance at this meeting. All regional members should receive an invite and are encouraged to attend. Should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at AccessRULES, 5156 Taravella Rd, Marrero, Louisiana, 70072, United States on Friday, 14 March 2025 at 08:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Dwight Witter at [email protected] or by telephone (504) 495-4912.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Outside Academy Unipessoal Lda, Rua Antonio Coelho da Silva 195, 4420-613 Gondomar, Portugal on Saturday, 8 February 2025 at 10:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Bruno Gouveia at [email protected] or by telephone +351 918 025 776.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Altius Technical Services LLC, 5750 North Sam Houston Pkwy East #801 Houston, TX 77032, United States on Sunday, 2 March 2025 at 08:30 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed.
For further booking information, please contact Amanda Schatz at [email protected] or by telephone 1-888-756-3471.
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in December 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Rojam Major, Predkiel sp.j., Geodetow 11, 80-298 Gdansk, Poland on Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Karolina Tylman at [email protected]
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at High Q UK Ltd, ROKT, Mill Royd Street, Brighouse, HD6 1EY, United Kingdom on Friday, 3 January 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Craig Shaw at [email protected] or by telephone +44 (0)7792463365.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Industrial Rope Technology Pty Ltd, trading as IRT Access, Unit 15, 76 Reserve Road, Artarmon,2064, NSW, Sydney, Australia on Wednesday, 19 February 2025 at 15:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Jim Oades at [email protected]
The IRATA D-A-CH RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Monday 23rd October 2024
Time: 09:00 (GMT+1)
Location: Via Teleconference
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Rope Access Maintenance Inc., 5350 Mainway, Unit 9, Burlington, Ontario, L7L 6A4, Canada on Thursday, 9 January 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Fred Missick at [email protected]
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in November 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
This October, the IRATA Technical Event and Conference (ITEC) convened in Kraków, Poland, where hundreds of member company representatives from six continents came together for the latest industry updates and insights. Our community grows year after year, with the ITEC a tangible reminder of the truly global nature of the connections we continue to build.
ITEC 2024 featured a full agenda of presentations and discussions over two days. Attendees received key updates on the Association’s latest developments from the IRATA CEO, Executive Chair, and subcommittees, including the release of two new ICOP Annexes (R & S), the WASA 2024 report, and progress on the highly anticipated Rope Access Safety Supervisor (RASS) course.
Industry experts covered a wide range of topics, including behind-the-scenes development of PPE and standards, analysis of splicing techniques, and the theory and application behind the crucial dynamic testing of anchors for fall protection. Unique guest presentations shared firsthand experiences from rope access operations in Antarctica and strategies for expanding the global rope access market.
The release of WASA 2024, presented by IRATA’s Health, Safety and Technical Officer, emphasised the significance of not only learning from tragedy but also from everyday hazards that can easily go unnoticed. Members were reminded of their essential role in reporting incidents and how escalating even minor incidents and near misses for reporting can reveal critical safety insights with far-reaching impacts.
Don’t miss out if you couldn’t make it this year; members interested in viewing any of these presentations can find copies of the slides in the members’ area of our website.
The conference’s technical stage served as a hub for discussion, where exhibitors showcased their latest products, research, and innovative ideas—live demonstrations, including a virtual reality exhibition and in-harness presentations, immersed attendees in real-world scenarios.
ITEC 2024 concluded with the Annual Dinner, an evening celebration at Kraków’s historic tram depot and microbrewery. A relaxed finale to the event, the Annual Dinner hosted the perfect atmosphere for reflection, celebration, and building lasting connections in the heart of Kraków.
We thank all our speakers and exhibitors who shared their expertise and innovations and our programme sponsors for their generous support. The active participation of all attendees made ITEC 2024 an engaging and productive event.
Be sure to visit our gallery to see a selection of the event’s highlights.
IRATA is excited to announce the launch of our Level 3 Technician exams in Spanish. This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to make our certification program accessible to a broader range of technicians worldwide.
Plans are underway to translate exams into additional languages, with updates to be shared as they become available. A complete list of available languages for our exams can be found here and will be regularly updated as new options are introduced.
We are grateful for the support of our members who have worked diligently to assist with the technical aspects of translation. We look forward to enhancing accessibility to IRATA certification for technicians around the world.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Technical Access Group, Unit 3, 1469 Rubert St, North Vancouver, British Columbia, V7J 1G1, Canada on Friday, 6 December 2024 at 17:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Neil Phillips at [email protected] or by telephone 604 929 6596
Confined spaces are enclosed or partially enclosed areas not designed for continuous occupancy, often with access and egress limitations, which present distinct challenges in rope access operations. Workers in these environments face potential risks, such as oxygen deficiency, toxic atmospheres, and physical engulfment. IRATA has released a case study exploring the complexities encountered by a rope access team operating within confined shafts in Safety Bulletin No. 50.
The case study highlights how the considerations in operational planning and ongoing dynamic risk assessment were essential in ensuring a safe outcome for the task when presented with unpredictable conditions.
Despite robust plans that included gas monitoring, forced ventilation, and emergency drills, the team encountered an unexpected rush of gas during work on one of the shafts. This exposure quickly affected nearby workers who experienced symptoms of nausea, prompting an immediate evacuation and medical assessment, which helped avoid further risk. The event emphasises the potential for sudden unforeseen hazards in confined spaces.
Challenges like restricted movement, complex rescue, and reliance on specialised equipment and communication methods in confined areas are compounded by the potential for hazardous gas buildup, as in this case. These conditions underscore the importance of comprehensive preparation and dynamic risk assessments for a safe job outcome.
For a complete look at the findings from this case study and the safety protocols that the team engaged, download IRATA Safety Bulletin No. 50. here. It includes insights on essential control measures, from atmospheric monitoring to effective rescue planning, and is a helpful resource for managing confined space risks in rope access work.
We thank our member company for sharing these valuable insights.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Lyon Equipment Ltd, Units 3-7, Tebay Business Park, Old Tebay, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 3SS, United Kingdom on Friday, 3 January 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact [email protected] or telephone 015396 24040.
Independently authored by Mr David Thomas MSc, BSc(Eng), AKC, CEng, FICE, CFIOSH, IRATA’s Work and Safety Analysis (WASA) 2024 highlights actionable lessons from member company employment, incident, and accident data submitted between January – December 2023, to help rope access companies improve operations and protect their workforces. Download the full version here.
Robust, transparent reporting across all member companies remains critical in building a proactive safety culture and leveraging lessons learned from incidents.
Consider these 5 key lessons to help drive our industry to even higher standards of safety:
1. Addressing Human Factors as a Key Risk Area
Human error, such as lapses in concentration, remains a significant contributor to incidents and highlights the need for greater emphasis on behavioural safety. Efforts to promote accountability while avoiding blame culture can reduce avoidable incidents and build a stronger safety culture amongst the workforce.
2. Harnessing Near-Miss Reporting to Strengthen Safety Practices
Low reporting of near misses limits learning opportunities across the membership. Near-miss reporting offers valuable insights into potential hazards, enabling companies to address issues before they lead to actual incidents. It also provides crucial information for IRATA to share pertinent lessons learned with the broader industry through topic sheets and safety bulletins.
IRATA’s ‘Report a Problem. Prevent a Fatality’ campaign aims to improve incident and near-miss reporting, encouraging a “learning environment where members strive to identify, learn and improve.”
3. Persistent Hazards Require Targeted Solutions
In addition to human error, dropped objects, rope damage, working environment, and failure to identify hazards continue to be recurring risks that require ongoing attention. Members should consider these common themes in their training and procedures and take a proactive approach to prevention.
To assist companies in applying consistent and effective risk management practices, IRATA provides a library of guidance targeting many of these concerns within focused ICOP Annexes and Topic Sheets. These common themes have been implemented into the A&I Workshop agendas, where documented discussions allow IRATA to review possible changes to the TACS, increase awareness and aim to reduce recurrence.
4. Consistency Drives Improvement
Reliable and consistent incident reporting, particularly for near misses, is critical for identifying trends and sharing lessons learned across the industry.
More precise data categories and criteria for defining “dangerous occurrences” implemented in IRATA’s new incident reporting form and associated guidance will facilitate a better understanding of incident patterns and measurement of safety improvements. Incorporated and accessible guidance within the Incident Report [FM-021] is intended to remove barriers to accurate reporting.
Encouraging incident reporting prevails as a primary focus for IRATA’s Health and Safety Committee, with an ongoing campaign to encourage open discussion, without blame, targeting company reporting culture on a global scale.
5. Leading Indicators for Proactive Prevention
“Accident and incident statistics are, by their nature, ‘lagging’.” Prevention must always be an emphasis in safety conversations, where teams are empowered to identify and mitigate risks before they lead to incidents.
Identifying and incorporating key ‘leading’ indicators through proactive safety measures like on-the-ground safety observations, safety conversations, and pre-task briefings, and periodically reviewing their impact, can help companies shape a safer future.
IRATA remains committed to the continued cultivation of a strong safety culture and promoting continuous learning across the rope access industry. Members are encouraged to report all incidents to help inform and educate others, preventing incidents and potentially saving lives.
We would like to thank Mr David Thomas for authoring this report and offering recommendations that drive ongoing improvement. We also extend our gratitude to our members for their dedication to compiling and submitting the necessary data for the collation of the WASA 2024.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at 5th Point Operations Pty Ltd, 21 Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale, New South Wales, 2100, Australia on Friday, 20 December 2024 at 15:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Leigh Greenwood at [email protected] or by telephone 02 9939 6140
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at IdealAccess Solution Pvt Ltd, 6/283H, 2nd Floor, Kizhakkkumuri, Nalukettu PO, Koratty, Thrissur, Kerala, 68030, India on Sunday, 1 December 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Biju Chandran at [email protected] or by telephone +91 7736033391
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Mira Rope Access, Görece Cumhuriyet Mahallesi İZDEP -2 Depoları, Mithatpaşa Caddesi 2A/17 Menderes, Turkey on Friday 21 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Baris Ates at [email protected]
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Ropeworkz, 34 Station Road, Montague Gardens, 7441, Cape Town, South Africa on Monday, 20 January 2025 at 10:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Carey Tredoux at [email protected]
In response to evolving industry needs, IRATA has released ICOP Annex S: Working Over Water, guidance for safe industrial rope access operations over bodies of water. This annex to IRATA’s long-established International Code of Practice (ICOP) has been created to provide additional information to assist companies and operatives in effectively planning for and managing the unique hazards and risks associated with working over water.
A significant proportion of IRATA members are involved in offshore operations and other sectors where exposure to the risks of working over water is common. With regulations varying by region and operational requirements, the need for practical guidance is apparent.
The primary hazard when working over water, regardless of location, is a fall from height into water, with the added risk of drowning. The inherent risks associated with this environment demand careful consideration of factors such as additional permits, specific safety measures and supplementary equipment and training to ensure safe work over water.
Annex S offers guidance to help mitigate the risks of works over water, covering topics such as:
Continue to strive for safety at the highest level, and download your copy of Annex S from PUBLICATIONS now.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Industry Training Centre Pty Ltd, Kurland Brick, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, 6602, South Africa, on Friday, 22 November 2024, at 15:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Andrew Rodmell at [email protected]
The IRATA North America RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Thursday 21st November 2024
Time: 16:00 (GMT-5 )
Meeting Location: Via Teleconference
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in October 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
At our recent IRATA Technical Event and Conference in Kraków, Poland, the Chair of IRATA’s Equipment and Standards Committee announced the publication of new annexes to IRATA’s International Code of Practice (ICOP).
Newly released ICOP Annex R: Rescue and Evacuation Planning, and Considerations offers guidance on the key factors to consider when planning rescue and evacuation protocols for industrial rope access operations.
The document presents a step-by-step approach for creating a comprehensive rescue and evacuation plan, covering all aspects from arrival at the site and transporting materials to the work area to effectively communicating with the emergency services during a rescue.
While Annex R does not provide technical instructions on physically conducting a rescue, it offers a process and an adaptable template to assist in developing an effective plan. It provides guidance on identifying and evaluating the risk factors leading to the need for rescue, and the hierarchy and appropriate application of different rescue types to address a range of potential scenarios
Continue to strive for safety at the highest level, and download your copy of Annex R from ‘publications’ now.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Formacan, Quartier Le Relut, Mirmande, 26270, France on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Linda Caillet at [email protected] or by telephone +33(0)6 65 59 99 72
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Falcao Rios Consultoria Treinamento e Servicos Ltda, Trading as Hawk, 87 Rua Raul Moraes, Cordeiro, Recife, Pernambuco, 50630-070, Brazil on Friday, 8 November 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Deyse Nunes at [email protected] or by telephone (81) 3028-4428 and (81) 99640-1515
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Rigging Jump Group SPA, trading as Rigging + Rope Access, Av. Presidente Jorge Alessandri Rodriguez 11491, Avanza Park Proyecto La Divisa Bodega 25, San Bernardo, 8150000, Santiago de Chile, Chile on Monday, 9 December 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Cristobal Salazar at [email protected] or by telephone +569 94391721
The IRATA Far East Asia RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Friday 29th November 2024
Time: 09:00 – 12:00 (GMT+8)
Location: Quanji Hotel (Gaolan Shangdu Branch), Nanshui Town, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China
Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA North Sea Operators RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Thursday 12th December 2024
Time: 09:00 – 13:00 (GMT)
Location: P&J Live, The Event Complex Aberdeen (TECA), E Burn Rd, Aberdeen AB21 9FX, Scotland and via teleconference.
This meeting will also be hosted via teleconference for those who are unable to attend in person. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
The IRATA Scandinavia RAC is convening for a meeting as detailed below:
Date: Monday 28th October
Time: 08:00 (GMT)
Location: Via Teleconference
This meeting will be hosted via video conference. Regional members will receive an invite to the meeting and are encouraged to attend; should you not receive an invitation, please contact [email protected].
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Kee Safety Ltd, Unit 107 – 7155, 57 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2C 5B1, Canada on 30 November 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Martin Castle at [email protected] or by telephone 587-224-8842
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at SafetyPro Trainingen B.V., 20 Arduinstraat, Braband, 4827 HK Breda, Netherlands on Tuesday, 17 December 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Tim Ypey at [email protected] or by telephone +31 (0) 33 720 0998
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in September 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Graviteq Pty Ltd, Unit 27/388 Newman Rd, Geebung, Queensland, 4034, Australia on Saturday, 23 November 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact John Patterson at [email protected] or by telephone +61 423 295 059
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Delta Inspection and Petroleum Services, 3 Block G, Ataka-Suez Free Zone, Suez City, Suez State, 43713, Egypt on Sunday, 6 October 2024 at 13:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Mohamed Abdalla at [email protected] or by telephone +2 01005067720
With over 25 years of experience in the rope access industry, we are excited to welcome Adriano Peixoto as a guest speaker at the IRATA Technical Event and Conference 2024 in Kraków, Poland.
In his presentation “Rope Access – ‘Harnessing’ Safety”, Adriano will take attendees through the multi-layered, rigorous control measures that must be employed to assure that equipment meets stringent industry safety standards.
The ITEC promises to deliver a wealth of industry knowledge, innovative solutions, and networking opportunities. Join us in Kraków on the 8th and 9th October 2024 to hear from Adriano; click here to get your ITEC tickets now!
Sanjay Verma will join us as a guest speaker at the IRATA Technical Event and Conference in Kraków this October. With over 30 years of experience in numerous sectors, specialising in inspection, maintenance, and repair for onshore and offshore operations, Sanjay is a dedicated advocate for the safety of workers at height.
Sanjay has co-chaired the India Safety Leadership Group of the British Safety Council and plays a key role in promoting IRATA rope access techniques to industry-leading clients.
In his presentation “A Model for Influencing Change within a Global Industry,” Sanjay will share his experience and insights into successfully driving change in safety practices and promoting client awareness of the critical role played by IRATA members and the safe working systems they employ.
Join us in Kraków to hear from Sanjay—click here to get your ITEC tickets now!
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Shenzhen Safeway Rope Access and Industry Co., Ltd., Nanshui, Jinwan District, Zhuhai, 519090, China on Friday, 29 November 2024 at 13:00 PM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Mengqun Zhao at [email protected] or by telephone +86 15999546801.
With over a decade of experience in PPE development and manufacturing, Philippe Westenberger will take the stage at this year’s IRATA Technical Event and Conference to explore a lesser-discussed aspect of safety gear: handmade splices. His presentation, “Handmade PPE – The Untapped Potential of Splices and Other Solutions to the Oldest Problem of Ropes,” will shed light on the craftsmanship behind rope terminations and explore why some industries have embraced handmade techniques while others remain cautious.
You can meet Philippe alongside our experienced lineup of guest speakers on Tuesday 8th, and Wednesday 9th October at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre, Poland.
Don’t miss out; get your tickets here before it’s too late!
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in August 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
William Parsons, a leading specialist engineer in work-at-height safety and former Chair of the Canadian Standards Association’s Z259 Technical Committee on Fall Protection, has been confirmed as a guest speaker at this year’s ITEC in Kraków.
Having contributed to numerous innovations and technical advances throughout his career, leading product development test programs for applications worldwide, William brings extensive knowledge and experience to the ITEC’s lineup of guests.
In his presentation, “Anchors for Fall Protection and Rope Access: Strengths, Standards, and What Really Happens”, William will discuss the critical performance and strength requirements of anchors in modern safety systems. Drawing from his involvement in developing international safety standards, including work with the American National Standards Institute’s Z359 Technical Committee, William will offer valuable insights into the evolution of these regulations and their real-world implications.
William aims to offer insights on how both products and practices may be improved in line with the latest research and technological advancements in work-at-height safety.
Click here for further information about ITEC Kraków 2024 and to reserve your tickets.
The IRATA Health & Safety Committee is convening for an in-person meeting in advance of the ITEC in Krakow as detailed below:
Date: Monday 7th October 2024.
Time: 12:30 – 15:00 (GMT+2)
Meeting Location: ICE Krakow Congress Centre, Krakow, Poland
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees. Members who have not registered prior to the meeting will not be permitted to attend.
The IRATA Equipment and Standards Committee is convening for an in-person meeting in advance of the ITEC in Krakow as detailed below:
Date: Monday 7th October 2024.
Time: 15:30 – 18:00 (GMT+2)
Meeting Location: ICE Krakow Congress Centre, Krakow, Poland
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees. Members who have not registered prior to the meeting will not be permitted to attend.
The IRATA Training Committee is convening for an in-person meeting in advance of the ITEC in Krakow as detailed below:
Date: Monday 7th October 2024.
Time: 09:00 – 11:30 (GMT+2)
Meeting Location: ICE Krakow Congress Centre, Krakow, Poland
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees. Members who have not registered prior to the meeting will not be permitted to attend.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Oilfield Testing Services Ltd., Viking Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 0NU, United Kingdom on Saturday, 14 September 2024 at 10:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Jeremy Smith at [email protected] or by telephone 01493440555.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Independent Ropes Ltd., Unit 4, NCA Campus, Howe Moss Drive, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 0GL, United Kingdom on Saturday, 2 November 2024 at 10:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Lynn Coull at [email protected]
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Skyfor Treinamentos Ltda, trading as Airbox, Rua Joaquim Lima, 1890, Loja 2, Papicu, 60.175-005, Fortaleza, Brazil on Friday, 4 October 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Zeisseimer Reyes Costa at [email protected] or by telephone +55(85) 98983-0343.
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Mistras Ropeworks, 8587 White Fir St # A3, Reno, NV 89523 United States on Friday, 6 September 2024 at 08:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Bradley Kilgour at [email protected] or by telephone 250-703-3942.
Our next Training Committee meeting will take place on Tuesday 3rd September 2024 via teleconference, at 09:00 (BST).
Should you wish to attend as an observer, please contact [email protected] with the names of the attendees.
IRATA International has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Working at Height Association of Australia (WAHA). Established in 2009, WAHA is a forum for all persons working at height. IRATA, the leading worldwide authority on industrial rope access boasts a membership of over 750 companies across 71 countries, with operations spanning every continent.
IRATA CEO Dr Sheila Kondaveeti explained that although the strategic partnership with WAHA is a recent development, the relationship between the two organisations is longstanding. “IRATA and its Australasia Regional Advisory Committee represent 64 industrial rope access companies in Australasia and, naturally, we have been active supporters of WAHA. Our new partnership goes further to recognise each organisation’s commitment to safe working practices and how we can collaborate in the future.”
WAHA CEO Scott Barber said, “The opportunity to collaborate with professional organisations like IRATA ensures that the WAHA mission is relevant to those affected by working at height and that our activities align with the broader objectives of education, empowerment and providing safer workplaces. Ultimately, we are here to ensure people go home safely to their families at the end of the day. Working with respected and established bodies like IRATA helps amplify this messaging around best practice.”
For more information about WAHA, click here.
Former programme manager for the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Alex Beltrao, has been confirmed as guest speaker for the annual IRATA Technical Event and Conference (ITEC), taking place in Kraków, Poland over the 8th and 9th of October at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre.
Alex will explore the relationship between “standards” and “legislation” and how they are linked. His presentation will naturally focus on rope access but also lifting equipment associated with the industry. Regulations on personal protective equipment, machinery, and other construction products will be addressed.
Originally trained as a Civil Engineer, and following a decade’s experience in construction, Alex moved to Brussels in 2013 to take up his role at the CEN, overseeing the development of European standards, communicating between various technical committees, CEN members, and the European Commission.
Following five years at Tata Steel in the UK, Alex was appointed the new Director of Compliance of the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) earlier this year.
For further information about ITEC24 and to order tickets go to https://irata.click/2lx
EXHIBITORS. Spaces are available, contact [email protected] for an exhibitor pack.
Tickets for member companies are already being reserved for this year’s IRATA Technical Event and Conference (ITEC) taking place at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre, Poland, on Tuesday 8th October, and Wednesday 9th October 2024. The ITEC features guest speakers, exhibitors, committee updates, technical demonstrations and the IRATA Annual General Meeting.
The conference will conclude with the popular networking event, the IRATA Annual Dinner, this year being held at the Stara Zajezdnia Kraków by DeSilva (the Old Tram Works and microbrewery), which includes a three-course meal, drinks, and live entertainment. Members can purchase tickets to attend the Annual Dinner as an add-on when obtaining their tickets for the ITEC.
EXHIBITORS – spaces are available, contact [email protected] for an exhibitor pack or to reserve your space.
Following requests from member companies who would prefer to send more than 2 delegates to the ITEC, the organisers have negotiated additional capacity at the venue allowing up to 4 free tickets per member company.
Please click the button below to reserve your tickets.
Troy Beaumont, Chairman of IRATA’s Australasia Regional Advisory Committee (RAC), has been confirmed as the first guest speaker for the annual IRATA Technical Event and Conference (ITEC), this year taking place in Kraków, Poland over the 8th and 9th of October at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre.
Titled “A year on the ice - Living and working in Antarctica”, Troy will give a flavour of what goes on behind the scenes supporting operations in the challenging environment of Antarctica.
Troy brings over 14 years of experience including that of an IRATA Level 3 rope access technician, safety supervisor and instructor. His diverse background includes service in the Royal New Zealand Navy, working as a New Zealand Mountain Guides Association guide and time spent at New Zealand’s Scott Base in Antarctica.
Troy is Director and Rope Access Manager of New Zealand based Heads Up Access. In addition to his duties as Chair of the Australasia RAC, serving and representing over 60 IRATA Member Companies in the region, he is also an elected member of the IRATA Health & Safety Committee, a position he has held since 2019.
For further information about ITEC24 and to order tickets, click here.
EXHIBITORS. Spaces are available, contact [email protected] for an exhibitor pack.
IRATA International would like to take this opportunity to welcome its newest members who were appointed in July 2024:
Wishing you all future success,
IRATA International
We are pleased to announce that tickets are now available to member companies for our annual IRATA Technical Event and Conference (ITEC), which will take place at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre, Poland, on Tuesday 8th October, and Wednesday 9th October 2024. Tickets are limited to 2 delegates per member company.
The ITEC will feature guest speakers, exhibitors, IRATA project updates, and the IRATA Annual General Meeting, which will provide an opportunity for member companies to raise questions with the IRATA Executive Committee.
Finally, the event will conclude with the IRATA Annual Dinner, held at the Stara Zajezdnia Kraków by DeSilva, which includes a three-course meal, drinks, and live entertainment. Please note that there is a fee to attend the Annual Dinner, and IRATA Members can purchase these as an add-on when obtaining tickets for the ITEC.
Please click the button below to reserve your tickets now.
We look forward to seeing you in Kraków!
An IRATA Assessor & Instructor Workshop will be held at Tacten Industrial, 2-240 Taiganova Crescent, Fort McMurray, Alberta, T9K 0T4, Canada on Saturday, 27 July 2024 at 09:00 AM. The IRATA compulsory workshop agenda will be followed. For further booking information, please contact Tyrone Ulrich at [email protected] or by telephone +1 780 881 5502
+44 (0)1233 754 600
+44 (0)1233 754 601
