Rope Access Training Manual Acknowledgments Some text in this document has been taken directly from the following documentation: IRATA.org IRATA International Code of Practice IRATA International Training and Certification Scheme Equipment user instructions (Petzl) All Drawings by Heightworks with help from V Rigger Copyright All rights of the owner of the work are reserved. Unauthorised copying is prohibited where there is a commercial or financial benefit Candidate Name: IRATA Number: Course Dates: Location: IRATA Instructor(s): I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 2 CONTENTS ABOUT THIS MANUAL 6 PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 7 IRATA International system 8 Legal Framework 10 Legislation 11 Work at Height Regulations 11 Lifting Operations and Lifting equipment regulations (LOLER) 11 Personal Protective Equipment regulations (PPE) 12 The Provision and Use of work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 12 The Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 12 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSCHH) 12 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 13 Risk assessment and Method Statement 13 Selection of access method 14 Selection of personnel & competence. 14 Exclusion zones & protection of third parties 15 Planning for emergencies and first aid 16 Suspension intolerance. 17 ROPE ACCESS EQUIPMENT. 21 Selection, PPE, EN Standards and CE Marking. 22 Equipment Traceability, Care and Maintenance , Storage, Lifespan. 23 Equipment Strength. 24 Inspection 25 Rope Access Equipment Setup 26 Helmets 27 Harnesses 28 Cowstails / Dynamic Rope 29 Ascenders 30 Descenders. 31 Back-up Devices 32 Maillons 33 Karabiners 34 Tape Slings 35 Wire Strops 36 Low Stretch Ropes 37 Etriers/ Footloops 38 Edge Protection 39 Pulleys 40 Locking Pulleys 41 Work Seat. 42 Fall Arrest Lanyards 43 Adjustable Work Positioning Lanyards 44 CONTENTS I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 3 KNOTS 45 Figure of 8 47 Figure of 9 48 Double Figure of 8 49 Alpine Butterfly 50 Barrel Knot 51 Stopper Knot 52 Flemish Bend 53 ANCHOR SYSTEMS 55 Anchor Systems 56 Hazard Avoidance 57 Rope Protection 58 Basic Anchor Systems 59 Angles of Rigging 60 Small Y-Hang 61 Wide Y-Hang 62 Re-anchors 63 Deviation 64 Angles Deviation 65 Retrievable Rigging 66 Work Restraint / Horizontal Lifelines 67 Vertical Fall Arrest Systems 68 Tensioned Ropes 69 Forces on Tensioned Ropes 70 RIGGING FOR RESCUE AND HAULING 71 Lowering 72 Releasable Attachments 73 Hauling—locking devices 74 2:1 Hauling System 75 3:1 Hauling System 76 Increasing Mechanical Advantage 77 Forces in Hauling Systems 78 Friction in Hauling Systems 80 Back-up Systems for Hauling and Lowering 81 Basic Hauling 82 Hanging Haul 82 Cross Haul 84 Complex Rescue System / Team Rescue 86 ROPE ACCESS MANOEUVRES 89 Back Up Devices 90 Descent 90 Ascent 90 Changeovers 90 Single Anchor Deviations 91 Double Anchor Deviations 92 CONTENTS I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 4 Rope to Rope Transfers 93 Re- Anchors 94 Passing Mid-Rope Knots 95 Edge Obstructions 96 Use of Work Seats 96 Passing Mid-rope Protection 97 CLIMBING TECHNIQUES 99 Horizontal Aid Climbing 100 Vertical Aid Climbing 101 Climbing with Fall Arrest Lanyards 102 Fall Factors 103 Clearance Distance 105 Lead Climbing 107 Rope Rescues 109 Principles of Rescue 110 Descent Rescue ` 111 Ascent Rescue 112 Deviation Rescue 113 Rope to Rope Transfer Rescue 114 Re-Anchor Rescue 115 Large Re-Anchor Rescue 116 Mid-Transfer Rescue 117 Rescue Passing Mid Rope Knots 118 Tensioned Ropes for Rescue 119 Climbing Rescues 121 Rescue from Aid Climb 122 Rescue from Fall Arrest Equipment 123 Short Link Rescue 124 Course Notes 125 CONTENTS I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 5 ABOUT THIS MANUAL This course manual is provided to supplement your IRATA Rope Access Course. The manual is not a substitute for training and should be used in conjunction with the following documentation: “IRATA International Code of Practice” “IRATA International Training, Assessment and Certification Scheme” “Equipment user instructions” Information for all candidates Information for Level 2 and Level 3 candidates Information for Level 3 candidates ABOUT THIS MANUAL I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 6 PLANNING AND ENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND MANAGEM I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 7 IRATA INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM IRATA is the sole global trade association in the work-at-height sector; it has member companies in every continent. Industrial rope access has been developed by IRATA in the last 25 years to a point where it is the chosen means of access for much of the work in the offshore oil and gas industry as well as a range of projects in construction, civil engineering, the built and natural environment and much more. Its success is based on thorough training and strict work guidelines that deliver an unrivalled safe working record year after year. IRATA International’s safe system of work comprises three main elements; a) the code of practice (ICOP); b) the training, assessment and certification scheme (TACS); c) audited member companies, and their operating procedures. International Code of Practice: The code of practice gives recommendations and guidance on the use of IRATA Inter- ENT national rope access methods, including training, to provide a safe system of work. It is intended for use by IRATA International members, IRATA International rope access technicians, national or regional enforcement agencies, safety officers and those who commission rope access work, e.g. building contractors; multi-national oil and gas companies; the renewable energy sector. This code of practice is applicable to the use of IRATA International rope access methods for industrial purposes, i.e. for access to buildings, other structures (on or offshore) or natural features, such as cliff faces, where ropes are used as the primary means of access, egress or support and as the primary means of protection against a fall. Training and certification scheme: This document details the requirements of IRATA International’s training, assessment and certification scheme (the scheme) and offers guidance to assist implementation. It provides: the levels of certification for new and existing IRATA International rope access technicians, and explains the training syllabuses and assessment criteria re- quired to attain and revalidate them; guidance for candidates, including pre-training requirements and topics covered; requirements and guidance for IRATA International trainer member companies; requirements and guidance for IRATA International instructors; requirements and guidance for IRATA International assessors, including the marking process. The scheme does not include operating procedures: these are drawn up for the spe- cific task by operating companies following the IRATA International code of practice. The ICOP also includes more information on the applicability of IRATA International’s rope access qualifications in the workplace. PLANNING AND MANAGEM I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 8 Audited member companies and their operating procedures: IRATA member companies are required to pass an IRATA audit every 3 years. This audit is carried out by an independent auditor appointed by IRATA. The audited procedures state how the IRATA member company will operate in accordance with IRATA Interna- tional’s requirements for quality assurance, safety, training and working practices. Following the IRATA member companies procedures, IRATA ICOP and IRATA TACS will help to ensure that work is carried out in a safe and professional manner and that the member companies quality standards are met. Any documentation generated on-site such as toolbox talks, equipment records, daily reports and accident reports etc are es- sential for site safety and the companies audit. Under the IRATA ICOP 2.6.1.2, only Level 3 rope access technicians are permitted to be rope access safety supervisors. For more information concerning Supervision see IRATA ICOP 2.6. IRATA International qualifications and requirements are laid out in IRATA TACS Section 3,4,and 5. All technicians shall show awareness of the levels of technician competence, and the requirements for revalidation and progression between levels. ENT PLANNING AND MANAGEM I010 020914 Rev 2.0 IRATA Training Manual TACS Version 9 LEGAL FRAMEWORK In the UK all work is governed by the Health And Safety At Work Act 1974, this act places general duties on employers, clients, contractors, owners, employees and the self-employed. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the body responsible for the encourage- ment, regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare, and for research into occupational risks in England and Wales and Scotland. The HSE are also responsible for the production of the following documents: Regulations Regulations are law, approved by an act of parliament or European directive. A breach of the regulations by either an individual or a corporation is a crime in the UK which carries a fine of up to £20,000. Approved codes of practice (ACOP) Offer practical examples of good practice . Have special legal status, if employers are prosecuted for a breach of health and ENT safety law, and it is proved that they have not followed the relevant provisions of the ACOP, a court can find them at fault unless they can show that they have complied with the law in some other way. Guidance The main purposes of guidance are: Help people understand what the law says To help people comply with the law To give technical advice Following guidance is not compulsory and employers are free to take other action. But if they do follow guidance they will normally be doing enough to comply with the law. The IRATA ICOP is a voluntary code of practice and as such compliance is not a legal requirement under UK law. However, it is mandatory for members of IRATA Interna- tional to comply with the principles of the code of practice and this is a condition of their membership.