COURSE OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

The Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) is a North American trade organization that publishes consensus standards and certifies workers to those standards.

Course Objectives for Rope Access Training – Non-SPRAT Certified:

• Work safely via rope systems in most common vertical environments
• Create a prompt backup rescue plan

Course Objectives of the SPRAT Level I (rope technician):

• Inspect rope access equipment and safety system
• Perform a variety of maneuvers on rope
• Apply basic rescue procedures and methods

Course Objectives of the SPRAT Level II (lead rope technician):

• Requires a minimum of 6 months as a level I, and 500 hours experience
• Versed in several more rigging and rescue skills than Level I

Course Objectives of the SPRAT Level III (site supervisor):

• Requires minimum of 6 months experience as Level II, and 500 hours additional experience
• Responsible for the overall rope access work site
• Have the highest rescue ability and stand ready to do advanced rigging

COURSE DURATION

Safety One Rope Access Training: One to Two Days

SPRAT Certification Trainings: Five Days (40 hours)

CLASS SIZE: Maximum 8 (1 Instructor)

COURSE CONTENT SUMMARY

This course covers the topics and techniques of:

• Relevant Standards and Regulations
• Site Specific Hazards and Mitigation
• Ropes and Knots
• Rope Management Skills
• Industry Equipment Review (Pros and Cons of various devices)
• Proper Anchorage Identification Techniques
• Ascending and Descending
• Techniques
• Proper Techniques for Fall Arrest and Positioning
• Rescue
• Applicable Rigging and Hauling

AUDIENCE

This Rope Access Training course is designed for students who use rope access as a method to gain access to their worksite on tall structures, i.e.

• Arborists, Wind energy, Tower workers, Tank inspectors, Engineers, Construction, Bridge inspectors, Mining, Oil and gas, Entertainment rigging, Professional rescue
• Etc.

The Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) is a member-driven organization that advances the safe use of rope access through education, standards development, and administering certifications.

PREREQUISITES FOR THIS COURSE

No formal prerequisites for this course at Level I.
Physically demanding course, ensure proper mental and physical aptitude prior to enrollment

OSHA

This course meets the requirements OSHA Regulations.

• Ensures that workers in suspension have a proper backup line and safe methods for ascending, descending and transitioning at heights.

SPRAT

SPRAT Member Organization

Regulations & Standards/ANSI/ASSE

• This course uses compliant safety methods from ANSI Z490.1

SPRAT Intro

SPRAT certified technicians have the best safety record of all workers at height.

The rope access technician maintains a minimum 2 rope system at all times.

The systematic use of a second lifeline provides the crew with a faster ability to perform a rescue.

Rather than deploying a seldom used rescue kit in the event of an emergency the rescue rope is already with the hurt man.

Safety One’s SPRAT instructors are all SPRAT certified. Many of the core principles from rope access are deployed in all of the Safety One classes.

The redundant rope grab and rescue plans are developed within the rope access mindset.

SPRAT Level I

Level I Technician (Rope Access Worker): An individual who performs rope access work.

A Level 1 technician can maneuver to and work from locations that would be impossible using traditional fall protection methods.

SPRAT Level II

Level II Technician (Rope Access Lead Technician): An individual who is responsible for physically conducting rope access operations and/or safety evaluations of rope access operations, including

• Maintenance of associated access equipment that performs all Rope Access Lead Technician duties as assigned in the employer’s rope access work program.
• Level 2 technicians are on the forefront of rescue operations as they are directly involved at the work location.

SPRAT Level III

Level III Technician (Rope Access Supervisor): An individual who is responsible for the overall rope access work site and performs all Rope Access Supervisor duties as assigned in the employer’s rope access work program.
The level 3 has the highest rescue ability and often stands ready to do advanced rigging.

OUTLINE FOR THIS COURSE

Rope Access Training Topics-

Classroom Training and Field Training:

• Equipment use and inspections
• Job safety analysis
• Knots, hitches and rigging
• Back-up device handling
• Ascending and Descending
• Use of work seat
• Passing Knots
• Rope-to-rope transfers
• Deviation
• Short and Long relays
• Negotiating edges
• Climbing with shock absorbing lanyards
• Aid climbing
• Structural anchors including load sharing anchors
• Retrieval systems and pull through anchors
• Belaying, Lowering
• Pick-off rescues
• Team work including cross hauling and platform hauling

SPRAT Certification Classes Are Five-Day Long.

• The first 4 days are training and skills practice.
• The 5th day is an evaluation of the skills by an outside SPRAT evaluator. The evaluation consists of 3 parts: a written exam, an oral exam about the equipment, and finally on rope skills test.

COURSE MATERIALS

Students will receive the Safety One Rope Access Training Student Manual and other materials necessary for the course.

The SPRAT Certification requirements and Safe Practices documentation can be provided upon request by contacting Safety One at 1-800-485-7669.

STUDENT/EMPLOYER TESTIMONIALS

“Participated in SPRAT cert. Awesome experience! Great facility, expert staff!” – S. Krause

“Just finished my SPRAT training. Hands down the best training I’ve ever received! Instructors really know their stuff and everyone in the building really treat their students well! Thanks for a great experience!” – N. Saylor

“We made the decision to have Safety One train our entire tower crew after sending two climbers to evaluate the program. It was a great system for measuring skill levels and giving our guys more tools in their toolbox for difficult situations in the field.”