Industrial Rope Access Training and SPRAT Certification

Vertical Access' rope training began with a review of the basic rope access techniques that we most often use in our inspections as well as an overview of all of our hardware and how to inspect and care for it. We quickly moved on to more advanced techniques that are less often used, such as passing knots, rope-to-rope transfers, redirects, rebelays and a horizontal aid traverse.

Our in-house training sessions give us the opportunity to review, refine, and improve our rope rescue techniques. Since Vertical Access started business in 1992, there has never been a need to rescue someone. However, rescue training is regularly practiced so that should the need arise everyone on staff is trained to singlehandedly rescue a casualty who is suspended on rope, whether they are in ascent or descent mode. This type of rescue scenario, called a "pickoff", is our standard rescue technique. More advanced rescue scenarios were also practiced such as picking a casualty off through obstacles or off of a horizontal aid traverse.

We also reviewed mechanical advantage systems and their uses in hauling or raising and lowering casualties. We practiced platform hauling, vertical (pitch head) hauling, guideline and cross hauling situations.

The training culminated in a day where an independent SPRAT evaluator was on site to evaluate three Vertical Access technicians for certification. The certification process included a written and oral exam to test knowledge of safe practices for industrial rope access and an understanding of the equipment and principles involved with rope access work. The main part of the evaluation was skills test in which each candidate demonstrated a broad range of rope access skills. Kent Diebolt re-certified as a level 2 lead technician, responsible for physically conducting rope access operations and safety evaluations of rope access operations. Evan Kopelson also certified as a level 2 lead technician. Kelly Streeter became a level 3 supervisor, responsible for the overall rope access operations on site. SPRAT certifications are renewed every three years.