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
IRATA needs to verify your ID to maintain the highest standards of security and integrity within the Technician Portal. By verifying your identity, IRATA ensures that:
- Only legitimate technicians can access the portal.
- Personal and professional data is protected from unauthorised access.
- The community remains secure and trustworthy for all users.
- Compliance with legal and regulatory requirements is maintained.
IDV confirms that an individual is who they claim to be. It involves collecting and examining identification documents and personal information, including biometric data, to ensure authenticity. In the context of the IRATA Technician Portal, IDV helps to protect against identity theft and fraud, ensuring that only authorised persons have access to your information. IRATA uses ID-Pal to carry out conduct these identification and verification checks by automated technical means for the IRATA Technician Portal registrations.
IRATA accepts the following types of ID documents:
- Passport (preferred)
- Driving License
- Government Photo ID
Ensure that the documents are valid, not expired, and clearly legible.
1. You will need to register to use the IRATA Technician Portal here:https://portal.irata-online.org/register
2. Once you have completed the registration form and verified your email address, you will be provided with a link to download the ID-Pal mobile app, allowing you to submit your documents to IRATA.
3. Use ID-Pal to:
- Capture your Identity Document.
- Complete a Liveness Test.
- Submit your Identity Verification to IRATA.
4. IRATA will check your application, and you will be notified via email when your Tech Portal account is ready to use.
The Technician Portal will enable the streamlining of the assessment process. IRATA technicians will be able to easily update their personal details, view their assessment history, browse job listings from IRATA members, and more. We’ll also be adding new and exciting features to the portal over time, including digital certification and ID cards.
1. Log into the Assessor Portalhere.
2. Click the App Icon (3x3 squares) in the top right-hand corner.
3. Select “Technician Portal”.
4. Click “Verify Now”.
5. Use your smartphone to scan the QR code (or click the link provided if you are already using your smartphone or tablet).
6. Download the ID-Pal app.
7. Complete your identity verification.
To edit your profile, navigate to the dashboard and select ‘edit’ in the ‘my profile’ section.
Here, you can upload a new photo, which IRATA will review before it replaces your current photo.
Please note that your photo change will only be approved following an assessment or if you request replacement documents. This is to maintain consistency between your profile photo and your IRATA ID card.
You will be able to crop the photo during the upload. The cropped photo must meet the following requirements:
- The photograph shall be clear and sharp and show a true likeness of the Candidate;
- The photograph shall only include the Candidate’s head and shoulders;
- The file shall be saved in JPEG format;
- The photograph shall not display company names or branding;
- Hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible.
After uploading, a status will be displayed next to your pending photo:
- Awaiting Checks:No checks have been carried out yet.
- Awaiting Approval:Automated checks have passed, and your photo is awaiting final approval from our registrations team.
- Rejected:Additional details will be provided to explain why your photo was rejected.
Please note: the following process will link your Technician details to your current IOS login. Therefore, it is essential that you do not share your login details for the IOS system. If you would prefer to have two separate logins, please follow the instructions in the FAQ: ‘How do I register to use the Technician Portal?’ using a different email address.
As long as the email address used for your IOS account is not shared with anyone else, your account can be extended to provide access to the Technician Portal by following the steps below.
1. Log in to the portal here:https://portal.irata-online.orgusing your current IOS user credentials.
2. Click your profile button in the top right-hand corner.
3. Select “Register as Technician”.
4. The registration form will provide access to the standard onboarding system, except your application will automatically link your Technician details.
5. Once the IDV process is completed, you will have access to the dedicated sections of the Portal for Technicians & Assessors.
Why do I receive a notification that my email address is already registered when trying to register?
This may be because:
- a) You are an Assessor and already using the Assessor portal. Please follow the steps under the FAQ: “I am an Assessor already using the Assessor Portal; how do I register for the Technician Portal?”
- b) Your email address is used to login to IRATA Online System (IOS). Please follow the steps under the FAQ: “I am an IRATA Online System (IOS) User and an IRATA Technician; how do I register for the IRATA Technician Portal?”
- c) You have already registered.
If none of the above apply, please contact[email protected].
IRATA International and ID-Pal prioritise the protection of your personal information by implementing robust security measures:
- Instant Data Wiping and Secure Storage: After submission, all data captured by the ID-Pal app is immediately wiped from the device. The data is then securely transferred and stored on a database accessible only to authorised IRATA personnel until your application has been processed, after which it is securely deleted.
- Encryption and Physical Security: Both data at rest and in transit are encrypted, and the database is secured physically and technically, including firewalls and other protective measures.
- Limited Retention Period: IRATA retains your IDV data only until your application for an IRATA Technician Portal account has been processed (up to 10 days).
Your identity is a crucial component of your IRATA certification, and the majority of IRATA Technician Portal registrations are automatically reviewed to verify identity by ID-Pal’s inbuilt checks without the need for human interaction. However, for applications where identity cannot be automatically verified, additional checks are required, and a copy of your identity document will be kept in our secure database for a maximum of 10 days while it is reviewed by authorised IRATA personnel.
IRATA retains a limited record of the ID document used to register for the IRATA Technician Portal. The data retained includes:
- Issue Date
- Issue Type
- Issuer Code
- Document Type
- Expiration Date
- Last 4 characters of the Personal ID Number
- Last Four Characters of the Document Unique Number
- Document Type Issue Year
- DOB on ID (MM/YY only)
This information can help investigate what ID document was used in the unlikely event of fraud.Crucially, it cannot be identified as belonging to you without additional information that is not stored by IRATA.
All other data used to verify your identity, such as digital copies of the ID document, biometric data processed during IDV and other checks performed on your ID document, are not retained by IRATA or ID-Pal. This data is automatically deleted from the IDV system after your registration for the IRATA Technician Portal is processed (up to 10 days).
The following personal data that is relevant to your IRATA certification, as provided by you, is stored on the IRATA database
- Your Name
- Your Date of Birth (DOB)
- Photo
- Address
- Telephone number
In addition, we keep a record of:
- Your IRATA certification history
- The results of your previous IRATA assessments
For more details, please clickhereto view our Privacy Notice.
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 coordination, 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 contraindicated condition, they 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 foundhere.
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].
To order any replacement documents clickhere.
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 foundhere.
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 clickhereto 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 clickhereto 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 clickhereto 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 clickhere. To use our technician check tool, you will need 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:
- An IRATA Level 3 Technician who was directly involved in the supervision of the rope access activities;
- A Director, General Manager, Rope Access Manager, or Technical Authority of the rope access company responsible for the undertaking of the rope access activities;
- 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:
- Shall be carried out by an IRATA Level 3 rope access Technician;
- Shall not be carried out during operational duties;
- 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 Practicehere.
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 limitations 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 clickhereto 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 clickhereto 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 clickhereto 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
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, which should provide details regarding how to clean your equipment. The manufacturer’s instructions should also provide information regarding the product’s 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.
When working in extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, it is important to follow specific guidelines to ensure safety:
- Monitor weather conditions regularly to avoid working during severe weather.
- Implement appropriate measures to manage heat stress or hypothermia, such as regular breaks and proper hydration.
- Wear suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect against temperature extremes.
- Ensure that all team members are trained in recognizing symptoms of heat or cold-related illnesses and know how to respond.
For more detailed information, refer to Annex O of the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Please clickhereto access your free copy of the ICOP.
If equipment failure occurs during rope access work, follow these steps:
- Immediately cease all operations and secure yourself in a safe position.
- Notify your team and supervisor about the equipment failure.
- Conduct a preliminary assessment to determine the cause of the failure.
- Report the incident to IRATA, and ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted.
- Review and address any safety measures or equipment maintenance practices to prevent future failures.
For more details, please consult section 2.10 of the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Clickhereto access your free copy of the ICOP.
Yes, there are specific training requirements for working at height, including:
- Completion of an IRATA-approved rope access training course appropriate to your level.
- Regular refresher training to stay updated on safety practices and equipment usage.
- Training on the use of fall protection equipment and emergency procedures.
For detailed requirements and training information, refer to section 2.4 of the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Clickhereto access your free copy of the ICOP.
If you encounter an unsafe condition on site, you should:
- Immediately stop work and ensure that the unsafe condition is reported to your supervisor or safety officer.
- Take steps to mitigate any immediate risks associated with the unsafe condition, if possible.
- Document the unsafe condition and report it according to your company’s safety procedures.
- Participate in any follow-up investigations or corrective actions to address the safety issue.
For more detailed information, refer to Topic Sheet number 001 ‘Safe Working Procedures’. Topic Sheets can be found in the publications area of our website at:irata.org/publications
Conducting safety briefings is crucial for ensuring that all team members are aware of potential hazards and safe working practices. The protocol for conducting safety briefings typically includes:
- Scheduling briefings at the start of each shift or job.
- Covering key topics such as job-specific hazards, emergency procedures, and the correct use of equipment.
- Encouraging team members to ask questions and discuss concerns.
- Documenting the briefing and having participants sign off to confirm their understanding.
For more information, refer to section 2.3 of the IRATA International Code of Practice [TC-102] (ICOP). Clickhereto access your free copy of the ICOP.
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