IRATA and SPRAT Certification Courses

What is rope access?
Rope access is a safe method of working at height where ropes and associated equipment are used to gain access to and from the work position and to be supported there. Rope access technicians use these methods to work in a wide range of industries, such as offshore oil and gas, power and petrochemical, renewable energy, confined spaces, natural and built environments, and more.

To train to become a rope access technician, attend a 4-day course followed by a 1-day assessment. RIG offers several IRATA & SPRAT Rope Access Courses each month. To register, use the calendar below to find your preferred date, then click on REGISTER FOR CLASS.

Rope Access IRATA and SPRAT Certification

Dates: See the calendar above for current course dates and locations. We offer several courses a month at our Las Vegas and Anchorage training centers.

Time: 8am-4pm Daily

4-days of training followed by a 1-day IRATA assessment and 1-day SPRAT evaluation. For dual certification, you may need to attend both days of testing. Please speak to the office for information on your specific course scheduling. Full attendance is required. Please be punctual.

Locations:

Cost:
SPRAT $1750
IRATA $1750
IRATA/SPRAT Dual Certification $2100
SPRAT to IRATA Conversion $350
SPRAT Direct Entry $350

Course Description

The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) and the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) are internationally recognized standards for rope access work. Certification is attained by completing a 4-day course, then passing a written, oral and practical test administered by an independent IRATA Assessor or SPRAT Evaluator. 

In both the SPRAT and IRATA schemes, the test is pass or fail. In the case of a failed assessment or evaluation, certification cannot be attained on that day. A re-attempt will need to be scheduled within 60 days of the final day of training. After 60 days, or at the discretion of the trainer or assessor, a full course is required prior to re-assessment.

We will spend much of our time climbing and practicing techniques on rope. We will also cover theoretical material and equipment specifications. Some coursework needs to be completed in the evenings, requiring 1-2 additional hours per day.

The material being covered during our four days of training can be found:
IRATA International Code of Practice (ICOP)
IRATA Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme (TACS)

SPRAT Safe Practices
SPRAT Certification Requirements

OUR TRAINERS

RIG’s instructors are experienced rope access and rescue professionals who are dedicated to the highest standards of safety. Our company performs incredibly challenging projects at height, in a variety of industries. We train to be able to meet the demands of the most rigorous work conditions and environments.

Our Company

Rigging International Group is an IRATA Member company. IRATA International has a continuously evolving regime of work procedures that members are required to follow and which are monitored for compliance to ensure that a safe system of work is established and maintained. This sets IRATA International member companies apart from rope access companies that are not subject to such rigorous monitoring, controls, and IRATA’s robust Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme (TACS).

Pre-qualification and Requirements

Candidates must be suitable for rope access work, which requires a good level of fitness, a head for heights, and an aptitude for ropes and related systems. Medical contraindications include, but are not limited to: heart disease, high blood pressure, epilepsy, blackouts, fear of heights, vertigo, impaired limb function, alcohol or drug abuse, psychiatric illness, and diabetes. A medical evaluation by a doctor is recommended prior to the start of the course. Due to the systems and equipment, user weight is limited to 310 lbs.

Logbooks

IRATA

Rope access Technicians who are upgrading or revalidating shall provide their logbooks to the IRATA Trainer member company prior to the start of the training course. Where rope access Technicians have lost their logbooks, they shall arrange for a replacement to be issued, completed, and verified before training commences. In order to meet this requirement, we require a scanned copy of your logbook at the time of registration. Time and experience requirements are detailed in the flowchart on the last page of this document.

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

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

If any rope access Technician loses their logbook, they shall contact IRATA immediately to arrange for a replacement. Technicians shall obtain credible references. 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.

SPRAT

Rope access technicians shall document their experience, including:

• Rope access work experience 
• Rope access certification 
• Rope access training 

Experience documentation shall provide the following information: 

• Date(s) of work 
• The date range of an entry shall not exceed two weeks. 
• Employer name 
• Work details (These details should include the industry, structure, location, and description of the work undertaken.)
• Rope access tasks and application (These details should include the type of rope access skills used.) 
• Rope access hours worked (These hours shall be the time spent carrying out rope access tasks including establishing rope access systems, training, working on rope, and worksite safety management.) 

Signature of individual verifying rope access hours worked. (This signature should be obtained from the Rope Access Supervisor, employer, competent trainer, Evaluator, or client. Rope access technicians working together may verify each other’s rope access hours. Rope access technicians shall not self-certify their own hours.)

If you have lost your IRATA or SPRAT certification or logbook and need to order a replacement prior to your training dates. Please contact them directly:

IRATA: info@irata.org

SPRAT: info@sprat.org

Candidates who are not competent at their existing level may require additional training. As little time is available on upgrade courses for refresher training, pre-course evaluation is recommended. Expired and direct entry candidates must meet additional requirements and should contact a training company to discuss their situation. If you are not sure whether you meet any of the requirements listed above, please contact:

Robert Goodwin: Bob@rigintlgrp.com

Equipment and attire

All the climbing equipment will be provided. Personal equipment, including helmets, is only permitted if you have traceability and inspection records for them. Appropriate clothing for climbing in a harness is advised. The following are general recommendations:

• Pants or shorts that come down to the knee.
• Short or long sleeve shirts are fine; a collar can keep the straps from chaffing the neck.
• Lightweight shoes or boots. Socks that cover the shin.
• Gloves are not required but a thin pair may be useful.
• A bandana or buff may also be comfortable inside the helmet.

Booking and Cancellation Policy

Please register early as our courses do fill up and we operate with a waitlist. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of full payment. The following policy applies to all course cancellations and date changes to the scheduled start date of the course:

• 14-day or more notice will be charged a $100 fee.
• Between 7 and 14-day notice will be charged 50% of the course cost.
• Less than 7-day notice or once the course has begun will be charged the full cost.

Accommodations

Discounted rates are available with the following hotels, conveniently located near our facility.