Candidate age shall be at least 18 year
Physically capable of performing the tasks during the training and examination ie. do not have any physical disabilities
Candidate shall submit medical evaluation form F-37 which is available on IRACS website.
Training schedules are available and conducted round the year so that individuals/companies looking for IRACS rope access certification can contact and book your seat for training and examination at any of the ATP (Authorized Training Provider) listed in our website. If a group of individuals or employees from companies are planning for certification, schedule can be arranged at your convenient time. The duration of training is 6 days for all levels which comprises theory and practical.
For more details mail to training department [email protected]
IRACS sets out the criteria for rope access personnel aiming to achieve the desired competency to meet the code of practice defined in ISO 22846-2. IRACS rope access certification has three levels of certifications through training, examination and certification.
This is an experienced rope access personnel who is able to perform more complex tasks under the supervision of a IRACS Level 3. He/she is
Able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required of Level 1
Capable of more complex rigging, including re-belays, deviations and tensioned lines
Able to undertake rescues from a variety of situations
Able to assemble and implement hauling systems.
Equipment selection and limits of usage, equipment inspection and records, care and maintenance of equipment, equipment storage, general equipment for rope access, methods of communication, exclusion zone, hazard avoidance and rope protection, record of rope access works and suspension trauma.
Passing deviation with casualty, Rescue of casualty via re-anchor, Rescue on rope to rope transfer with casualty, Mid-transfer rescue, Horizontal aid climbing rescue– Lowering, Vertical aid climbing rescue – lowering, Rescue from fall arrest equipment – Lowering, Vertical aid climbing, Basic hauling on hanging and Cross hauling
Rigging a re-anchor, Rigging deviation (Single & Double), Rigging for Hauling / Lowering, Rigging tensioned rope, Rigging pull-through (retrievable), Rigging vertical fall arrest line, Wide Y hanging and Selection of anchor points.
Short connection rescue from horizontal aid climbing – Lowering and descent with casualty, Short connection rescue from vertical aid climbing – Lowering and descent with casualty, Rescue from fall arrest equipment – descent with casualty and Complex rescue participation Work restraint line.
All candidates shall demonstrate their competence through theory and practical examinations at their level being examined which shall be examined by the IRACS assessor. Candidates shall succeed in both examinations to award IRACS certification.
IRACS Assessor shall provide question papers which set out by IRACS to all the candidates at the time of examination starts and IRACS assessor evaluates the answers.
Duration of theory exam for Level 1 and Level 2 is 40 minutes and for Level 3 it is one hour. Duration of practical examination is six hours for all the levels of candidates.
Candidates shall score minimum of 80% in theory exam. Scoring below 80% is fail. If candidates make any mistakes on practical examination as per passing criteria is fail.
Candidate failed at their examination level can appear for re-examination. Failed candidate will not be allowed to appear for re-examination on the same day they failed.
If a candidate failed in either theory or practical examination, he/she shall require to appear for re-examination only in which he/she failed. If a candidate failed in both theory and practical examinations, he/she shall appear for re-examination in both.
Re-examination shall not exceed 30 days from the date of initial examination. If the re-examination exceeds 30 days, candidate shall have formal IRACS training before examination.
Candidates who appear for re-examination shall follow the same examination application
Successful candidates will be issued an IRACS certificate at their level assessed, which indicates that all conditions for certification, as detailed in the present specification document, are met. Issue of certification normally takes place within 3 weeks from the date of the examination.
IRACS shall provide a hard copy certificate, which is designed to reduce the risk of forgery, to all certified persons. The certificate shall be authorized by a responsible person of IRACS, which shall maintain sole ownership of the certificates.
For recertification of any levels, all applicants shall submit the application of examination and certification along with the following documents which is subject to verification. Applicants shall only be allowed for examination upon approval by IRACS.
Training record (Training completion certificate)
Record of work experience. (All the filled pages of IRACS Log book)
Records of complaints. (Complaint pages of IRACS Log book even if there is no complaint recorded)
Medical evaluation form (F – 37)
Any valid identity proof with photo issued by Government. The recertification process confirms continued competence of the certified person and ongoing compliance with current scheme requirements by the certified person during recertification activities.
The recertification period is based upon the scheme requirements, which is 3 years. The rationale for the recertification period takes into account the following:
Regulatory requirements
Changes to normative documents
Changes in the relevant scheme requirements
The nature and maturity of the industry in which the certified person is working
The risks of incompetent persons working in the industry
Ongoing changes in technology and requirements for certified persons
The frequency and content of surveillance activities
In accordance with the certification scheme, recertification by IRACS involves
Confirmation of continuing satisfactory work and work experience record
Examination of knowledge and physical capability in relation to the competence concerned.
The recertification activities are adequate to ensure that there is an impartial examination to confirm the continuing competence of the certified person.
To ensure continuity, it is advisable to undergo required training and examination prior to certificate expiry.
In the event of nonappearance of the recertification examination before the expiry date or failure in a recertification examination, IRACS will immediately cancel the certificate concerned. The cancellation of the certificate will not affect the eligibility of the candidate to attempt the examination again.
IRACS has enforceable arrangements with the certified person to ensure that in case of withdrawal of certification the certified person refrains from use of all references to a certified status, and from further promotion of their certification.
Failure to resolve the issues that have resulted in the suspension in a time established by IRACS shall result in withdrawal of the certification or reduction of the scope of certification
IRACS certification for all levels is valid for 3 years from the date of IRACS examination.
If the certification expires, the technician shall not carry any work using the expired certificate.
For revalidation of certification, candidates can attend training and examination three months prior to expiry date of current certification.
If any technician not involved in rope access activity or has work experience of less than 1000 hours until expiry of certificate validity can revalidate their certification at the current certified level.
Candidate attends for revalidation shall undergo formal training and examination as same as initial certification.
The issue of a certificate indicates that the holder has demonstrated an acceptable level of competence measured by means of IRACS examination in accordance with the prevailing requirements on the date indicated.
Certificate holders or their employers must not use or refer to IRACS certificates, nor the IRACS logo, nor must they knowingly allow them to be used or referred to by a third party, in a manner that may be considered fraudulent or to bring the Certification Scheme into disrepute. The full conditions of use of the IRACS logo, or reference to IRACS certification are detailed in a separate document available from IRACS.
All certificated personnel are required to keep a register of complaints made against them within the scope of the certificate of competence (Code of Ethics for certificate holders). Failure to keep such a register or failure to enter valid complaints in it will be construed as a misuse of the certificate and appropriate penalties will be applied. The register of complaints must be made available to the IRACS on request.
The penalty for misuse of certification in all cases is invalidation of the certificate. If the misuse was in the public domain, publication of the transgression may also be undertaken. Any misuse, which appears to be an infringement of the law, will result in the matter being reported to the authorities.
Certificates are valuable documents which should be kept in a safe place. Any suspicion of forgery or misrepresentation must be reported to IRACS. Loss or theft of certificates must be reported to the authorities and to IRACS.
It is required that all certificate holders maintain a log demonstrating continuity in the application of the Rope Access activity for which they are certificated.
New employers presented with certification should satisfy themselves that the certificate holder has been employed without significant interruption on work for which the certificate was granted. It is strongly recommended that the employer request sight of the certificate holder’s logbook.
Individuals certified within the IRACS Personnel Certification Scheme must recognise that integrity and professional competence are the fundamental principles on which their rope access activities are founded. Accordingly, it is a condition of certification that certificate holders undertake to:
Comply with this code of ethics
Undertake only those rope access assignments for which you are competent by virtue of training, qualification and experience
Only sign documents for work of which you have personal professional knowledge and/or direct supervisory control
Conduct yourself in a responsible manner and utilize fair and equitable business practices in dealing with colleagues, clients and associates
At all times, be aware of and uphold the provisions/ requirements of codes, regulations and standards under which you are working
Without delay, report to your supervisor/employer any perceived violation(s) of applicable codes, regulations or standards. In the event that your supervisor/employer provides no satisfactory explanation or takes no corrective action, the certified individual shall report the situation direct to the IRACS.
Perform your professional duties with proper regard for the physical environment and the safety, health and well-being of the general public
IRACS binds enforceable arrangements with you that require the certified person to inform the IRACS, without delay, of matters that can affect the capability, including medical conditions at any time of the certified person to continue to fulfil certification requirements
Strive to maintain your proficiency by updating your technical knowledge as required to properly practice rope access techniques in the certified Levels
Not falsify nor permit misrepresentation of your own or your associate’s academic or professional qualifications, training, experience or work responsibilities
Refrain from making unjustified statements or from performing unethical acts which would discredit the certification scheme
Immediately report to the IRACS any perceived violation(s) of this code of ethics
Immediately report to the IRACS any attempt to pressure or force an individual certified under the certification scheme to violate this code of ethics
Inform your employer in the event that their certificate of competence is suspended, cancelled or withdrawn.
IRACS ensure that information obtained during the certification process, or from sources other than the applicant, candidate or certified person, is not disclosed to an unauthorized party without the written consent of the individual (applicant, candidate or certified person).
IRACS ensures that the person concerned is notified as to what information is to be provided when the IRACS is required by law to release confidential information.
Failure to comply with the above code of ethics will be dealt with under arrangements for handling complaints and appeals, which could result in suspension or cancellation of certification.
International Rope Access Certification Scheme (IRACS) is an ISO/IEC 17024:2012 accredited certification body operating certification of persons to industrial rope access personnel.