IRATA Level 2 Certification: The Bridge to Rope Access Independence

Within the scope of industrial rope access, going from being a Level 1 tech to Level 2 is significant. The above statement serves to bridge the gap between an experienced member of the industry working under supervision and an independent, technically skilled professional in complicated rigging and rescue operations.

At Atlas Access Training, Level 2 is the gateway into the vertical world, the true start of becoming comfortable. If you want to ramp up your skills further than the fundamentals, understanding what the IRATA Level 2 course entails is the first step. Here’s how to get there.

The Level 2 Prerequisites: Experience and Logged Hours Explained

Unlike the entry-level course, you can’t just walk up off the street and take your Level 2. IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) has stringent rules and regulations in place. You have to have met some conditions before enrolling in our Level 2 course at our tailor-made height safety training centre. You must already have the IRATA Level 1 certificate.

Second and arguably most crucially, you need to prove your experience. You must be proficient at working on ropes for at least 1,000 logged hours as a Level 1 technician. These hours must be recorded in your IRATA Logbook to be signed off by a Level 3 Supervisor. You also have to have been certified as a Level 1 technician for at least 12 months. Every Level 2 candidate must then have experience in real site conditions before attempting more progressive techniques.

Complex Rigging Skills you Master at L2 (Re-Belays, Deviations)

In Level 1, you learn the skills to go up and down the ropes safely on your own. Level 2 involves rigging for others and dealing with more challenging access conditions. In your 5-day training at Atlas Access, you are going to dive deep into very technical rigging. You’ll learn how to set up rope systems and retrieve them for dangerous work in difficult geometries.

You learn how to re-belays (such as taking a long dip and splitting it down into smaller sections so as not to run into dangers or control the rope weight) and deviations (by changing course to avoid obstacles). You’ll also be taught to rig tensioned lines and hauling systems. These are all essential skills to manoeuvre through an intricate array of complex structures.

Advanced Rescue: The Core Focus of Intermediate Training

Advanced rescue is a huge part of the Level 2 syllabus. You will have covered basic rescues as a Level 1. As part of Level 2 training, you will rescue a casualty from a multitude of complex scenarios. This will also involve hauling a casualty to the top of a structure and performing rescues by re-belays and deviations, and rescuing someone out of a tensioned line.

We have experienced teachers who will walk you through these high-pressure scenarios in a controlled environment and teach the muscle memory of taking quick action and making decisions that may save lives.

What a Level 2 Technician can do that an L1 Cannot

The transition to the second level brings new job prospects, responsibilities and opportunities. Level 2 technicians require supervision but are considered intermediate with more autonomy. In practical terms, this includes rigging the ropes for the team and determining the safe systems of work that Level 1s will do. You’re expected to handle more challenging tasks and are often referred to as a leading hand to new technicians. This added responsibility often comes with an increasing salary and job security, while you’re operating as L-3’s right hand.

Preparing for the L2 Assessment: Written and Practical Tips

Getting ready in advance is crucial. The Level 2 assessment contains an evaluation along with a written theory paper. Make use of the Atlas Access Video Library that we provide to our students in the entire IRATA Syllabus before you get started, so you can quickly access your learning and review it before taking the course. In terms of the theory, make sure you have a good understanding of ICOP and the gear standard. Get your body in shape; the rescue missions can be gruelling.

At Atlas Access Training, we’re here to bring you to the next level. If you’ve logged enough hours and want to take the next step, book your Level 2 training with us now.