FAQs

Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about all things Technician related, including who can sign your IRATA logbook, how to become an IRATA qualified Instructor and how you can order replacement documentation.


Please browse the FAQs below

  • Candidates shall be at least 18 years of age at the start of the course.
  • Candidates should be physically fit and unaffected by any disability or medical condition that may prevent them from working safely. They shall ensure that they have an adequate level of fitness, are physically able to perform the tasks expected in terms of strength, agility and co-ordination, and are able to withstand the stresses of the working environment, such as heat, cold, and other inclement weather.
  • Candidates are required to provide a declaration that they do not have any known medical disabilities or contraindications that may prevent them from working safely.
  • If a candidate has a contra-indicated condition, he/she shall obtain a medical certificate before commencing any rope access activities.
  • Candidates should consider their experience carefully before attempting to progress to a higher level. Candidates without appropriate competence, adequate pre-assessment training and knowledge of the syllabus are unlikely to meet the requirements.

To undertake IRATA training, please contact an IRATA Trainer Member Company.

A list of IRATA Trainer Member Companies can be found here.

Alternatively, please click on the following link to access our interactive training venue member map to locate an open IRATA Trainer Member company venue in your region: https://irata.org/course_venue_map

Candidates with significant rope access experience evidenced outside the IRATA system may be eligible for conversion into the IRATA certification scheme. The requirements for conversion are available from IRATA Trainer Member Companies.

The Technician Assessment Form [FM-025] is valid for a period of 60 days. Subject to verification, IRATA Head Office will formally register the outcome of the assessment and provide a certificate, ID card and logbook (first time registration technicians only) for the candidate. During this 60-day period, the completed assessment form may be used as evidence of the assessment outcome.

If you have not received your documents within this period, please contact [email protected].

The Technician Assessment Form [FM-025] is valid for a period of 60 days. Subject to verification, IRATA Head Office will formally register the outcome of the assessment and provide a certificate, ID card and logbook (first time registration technicians only) for the candidate. During this 60-day period, the completed assessment form may be used as evidence of the assessment outcome.

If you have not received your documents within this period, please contact [email protected].

A technician should inform our Registrations Department ([email protected]) of changes to their name or contact details.

Please contact your nearest Trainer Member Company for course pricing. Our interactive map can be found here.

Technicians shall obtain credible references (see TACS clause 4.13.1) for all lost logbook hours. Where lost hours are required to move up a level, e.g. Level 1 to Level 2, the Technician shall obtain credible reference documents to verify the hours in the replacement logbook before training commences. Maintaining a scanned copy of a logbook can facilitate the process of completing a replacement logbook.

Please ensure all credible references are on letterheaded paper and that the Level 3 or Rope Access manager provide their contact details, IRATA number (if applicable) and signature.

Candidates failing to attain a pass grade at their desired level are permitted to apply for re-assessment.

Re-assessment shall take place within 60 days of the original assessment, after which candidates are required to attend a further training course in full. Candidates shall provide a copy of their previous assessment form at the time of re-assessment. This allows the Assessor to check whether any recommendations for extra training have been met. Candidates unable to provide a copy of their previous assessment form are required to attend a training course in full before re-assessment.

Certificate expiry prior to re-validation may affect your eligibility to upgrade or re-certify. For more information please refer to our Procedures for IRATA Certification [TC-032]. Please click here to access your free copy of TC-032.

As per clause 4.9.2 of our Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme [TC-101] (TACS), technicians are no longer certified to carry out rope access operations upon expiry of their certification.

For full information on how to become an IRATA trainee Instructor, please refer to section 8 of our Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme [TC-101] (TACS). Please click here to access your free copy of TACS.

For full information on how to become an IRATA Instructor, please refer to section 8 of our Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme [TC-101] (TACS). Please click here to access your free copy of TACS.

A technician should inform our Registrations Department immediately ([email protected]) if any information is incorrect on their certification.

The IRATA Logo is a registered trademark. The IRATA logo is limited to the use by IRATA Member organisations and not for use by individual Technicians.

Level 3 rope access Technicians and employing companies are both responsible for ensuring that all first-aid certificates are appropriate and current during operational duties.

One years’ experience means a Technician is eligible for an upgrade assessment on the calendar day one year and one day after their previous assessment; e.g. If a Technician passes a level 1 assessment on 1st April 2020, the earliest a level 2 assessment can be taken is the 2nd April 2021.

Breaks in training, or between training and assessment, shall not be longer than 60 days, after which candidates are required to attend a further training course in full. Evidence of qualifying prior training must be presented to the Trainer Member Company prior to assessment.

Technicians can find their IRATA number (i.e. 1/123456) on their Technician Assessment Form [FM-025] or on their IRATA documents (certificate, ID card or logbook).

Technicians can find the expiry date of their certification on their IRATA certificate, ID card or logbook. Technicians can also check the validity of their certification by using our online technician check tool. To access our technician check tool, please click here. To use our technician check tool will require your surname and IRATA number.

Technicians are permitted to assess up until midnight of their expiry date.

Please browse the FAQs below

Logbooks are issued by IRATA Head Office and shall be maintained by the rope access Technician.

Logbook entry verification signatures and company contact details shall only be provided by the following persons:

  1. An IRATA Level 3 Technician who was directly involved in the supervision of the rope access activities;
  2. A Director, General Manager, Rope Access Manager, or Technical Authority of the rope access company responsible for the undertaking of the rope access activities;
  3. A rope access site Project Manager who is responsible for the project management of the worksite where the rope access activities were undertaken.

Level 3 rope access Technicians are responsible for the accuracy of their own logbooks. Where possible, they should ask the employer to countersign them. When signing the logbooks of rope access Technicians under their supervision, Level 3 rope access Technicians should ensure entries are completed correctly and logged hours are accurate.

If rope access Technicians are not using rope access techniques regularly, they should be evaluated for competence prior to the commencement of operational duties. Refresher training in particular techniques may be required and the amount of operational supervision necessary afterwards may need to be adjusted, depending on the outcome of the risk assessment.

If rope access Technicians do not use rope access methods for a period of more than 180-days, they are required to undergo refresher training. The training should be appropriate for each individual and should be recorded in his or her logbook, refresher training:

  1. shall be carried out by an IRATA Level 3 rope access Technician;
  2. shall not be carried out during operational duties;
  3. may involve the need to undergo a full training course.

Information on IRATA work teams can be found within 2.11.6 of our International Code of Practice here.

Rope access technicians should work in teams of no fewer than two, one of whom should be a Level 3 rope access safety supervisor. Lone working is not allowed.

Only Level 3 rope access technicians are permitted to be Rope Access Safety Supervisors.

Rope Access Safety Supervisors should be:

  • competent in supervisory skills;
  • competent in rope access techniques appropriate to the particular worksite and should understand the limitation of those techniques;
  • responsible for hazard identification and risk assessment for rope access related tasks;
  • competent in workmate rescue/retrieval techniques appropriate to each worksite and be able to organise and put into effect a workmate rescue/retrieval plan appropriate to that worksite.

Information regarding supervision and the composition of work teams can be found in the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) sections:

  • 2.11.6 - Work teams
  • 1.4.2.3 - Management and Supervision
  • 2.2.6.2 - Personnel
  • 2.2.7 - Management and supervision of the rope access site
  • 2.6 - Rope access managers, rope access safety supervisors and other supervisory/management items

It is an ICOP requirement that a Level 3 rope access safety supervisor is on site as the person responsible for the safety of the technicians who work under their supervision, and that a rope access team consists of no fewer than two technicians. For situations where a team size of more than two should be considered, please refer to sections 2.11.6.2 and 2.11.6.3 of the ICOP.

It is a requirement that the level of supervision should be appropriate to the particular work situation and the numbers and skills of the work team, as per section 2.6.2.7 of the ICOP.

Information regarding anchor selection can be found in our IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

Amongst other important information, anchors are covered in sections:

  • 2.7.9 - Anchors
  • 2.11.2 - The anchor system (anchors and anchor lines)
  • Annex F - Safety consideration when installing or placing anchor devices used in rope access

In particular, please be aware that section 2.11.2 of our ICOP details that anchors should be unquestionably reliable and that the static strength of anchors should be at least 15kN.

Please note that installation of eyebolts is not covered during a rope access training course and therefore further training may be required in order to ensure competence with regards to installing such anchors.

Information regarding rope protection and edge management can be found in sections 2.7.10, 2.11.3 and Annex P of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

Annex P provides a hierarchy for the protection of ropes against hazardous surfaces under the acronym RAP, which stands for: Remove, Avoid, Protect with regards to hazards for ropes. This information has been summarised in an edge management poster which can be downloaded from our publications page here.

Information regarding dropped objects can be found in our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Details regarding exclusion zones are covered in sections 1.4.2.6 and 2.11.8 of the ICOP, and the use of tools and other work equipment in Annex M. Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

IRATA has published several safety related publications regarding dropped objects. These publications include:

  • Topic sheet 11 regarding dropped objects
  • Topic sheet 15 regarding tool lanyards
  • Safety bulletins numbers: 28, 35, 40 and 42 regarding falling or dropped objects
  • A dropped objects poster

These publications can be found in the publications area of our website: irata.org/publications

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Information regarding the selection of equipment can be found in section 2.7 of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) here. Section 2.7.1.1 of the ICOP states:

2.7.1.1 … The selection and purchase of equipment should be carried out by, or approved by, a competent person, who has sufficient knowledge of the technical specifications required.

Therefore, all equipment should be selected by a competent person.

Should you have any further enquiries regarding specific equipment please contact the manufacturer, or supplier, of the equipment in question.

Information regarding the inspection, care and maintenance of equipment can be found in section 2.10 of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) here.

In addition to any ICOP requirements, please ensure that all equipment is used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and information and be aware that this information should provide details regarding how to clean your equipment. The manufacturer’s instructions should also provide information regarding the products lifespan, any limitations of the materials in the product or hazards which may affect its performance.

Should you have any further enquiries regarding specific items of equipment please contact the manufacturer, or supplier, of your equipment.

An IRATA qualification alone does not certify a technician to carry out a thorough examination of personal fall protection equipment. Member companies and individuals should ensure the person(s) tasked with inspecting rope access equipment are competent to do so.

Information regarding competence can be found in section 2.4 of the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) and information regarding inspection, care and maintenance of equipment can be found in section 2.10 of the ICOP.

Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP

A competent person is a designated person who is suitably trained or qualified by knowledge and practical experience to enable the required task or tasks to be carried out properly.

Further Information regarding competence can be found in section 2.4 of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) here.

Please click here to access information on CSCS cards. Alternatively, should you require further information directly from CSCS, please find their contact details below:

Website: http://www.cscs.uk.com/contact-us/

Telephone: 0344 994 4777.

Please refer to section 2.11.10 of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) for information on welfare. Furthermore, Annex O of the ICOP provides information regarding protecting rope access technicians against environmental conditions. Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

In addition to any IRATA requirements, please refer to any local legislation for information on work time and break periods.

Please refer to Annex O of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) for information regarding protecting against windy conditions whilst performing rope access work. Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

Please refer to Annex G of our International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP) for more information on suspension intolerance. Please click here to access your free copy of the ICOP.

In addition to any IRATA requirements, please adhere to any guidance or requirements within the country you are operating.

All near misses, dangerous occurrences and incidents should be reported to your employer immediately. IRATA member companies are required to report all near misses, dangerous occurrences and incidents to IRATA.

For further information, please refer to Topic Sheets number 002 regarding ‘Near misses: learning from failure’ and 023 ‘Accident and incident reporting’.

Topic Sheets can be found in the publications area of our website at: irata.org/publications