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.