Rope Access Training: IRATA Levels, IATRAS and Work at Height in Singapore

What IRATA is

IRATA International (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association) is a UK-headquartered trade association that publishes an internationally recognised three-level training and assessment scheme for industrial rope access. IRATA-certified technicians work to a published Code of Practice and an Interim Code of Practice, with a defined logbook of working hours and an external assessor at each level.

Mention of IRATA on this site refers to the published scheme. We do not claim that Ezzogenics or any specific technician holds a current IRATA qualification unless stated for that named person and verified by their current logbook and certificate.

IRATA Level 1 — Rope Access Technician

Entry level. A Level 1 technician can perform a defined range of rope access tasks under the supervision of an IRATA Level 3. Level 1 is responsible for following the rigging set up by more senior technicians and carrying out the work scope safely, and is not responsible for planning the rigging system on their own.

Pre-requisites typically required by training providers:

• Minimum age 18.
• Sufficient physical fitness to perform rope access work and self-rescue.
• A correct attitude to safety.
• No medical disability that would prevent safe rope access work.

IRATA Level 2 — Experienced Technician

A Level 2 can do everything a Level 1 can, plus more complex rigging, more advanced anchor selection and basic rescue, while still working under the supervision of a Level 3. To upgrade from Level 1 to Level 2, a technician must hold a valid Level 1 certificate and have logged at least 1 year and 1,000 hours of recorded rope access working hours.

IRATA Level 3 — Supervisor

The Level 3 is the rope access supervisor. They are responsible for the rope access method statement, anchor and rigging design, advanced rescue, and on-site supervision of the team. They must hold a current first aid certificate. To upgrade from Level 2 to Level 3, a technician must hold a valid Level 2 certificate and have logged at least 1 year and 1,000 hours of recorded rope access working hours at Level 2.

Recertification

IRATA certificates have a fixed validity (typically three years). Recertification requires re-assessment within the validity window and a documented logbook of recent rope access work. An expired certificate is not a current qualification.

IATRAS — a separate scheme

IATRAS is a separate rope access training and assessment scheme, distinct from IRATA. Where a technician presents an IATRAS certificate, the building owner or supervisor should verify:

• The current issuing body of the certificate.
• The qualification level on that certificate.
• The scope of work the certificate covers.
• The expiry date.

IATRAS and IRATA are not interchangeable. We do not claim equivalence here. A specific technician's qualification should be assessed on the certificate they actually hold.

Singapore work-at-height training context

In Singapore, work at height is governed by the Workplace Safety and Health (Work at Heights) Regulations. Workers and supervisors performing or supervising work at height typically attend an MOM-recognised Manage Work at Height course (or the corresponding worker / supervisor / assessor courses) appropriate to their role. These courses are separate from IRATA and IATRAS — a technician on a Singapore site may need both: a current rope access qualification (IRATA or equivalent) for the rope access task, and the relevant Singapore work-at-height training for the work context.

What to ask for in writing

• The qualification name (e.g. IRATA Level 1 / 2 / 3) and the issuing body.
• Certificate number and expiry date.
• Logbook reference where applicable.
• Manage Work at Height course completion (worker / supervisor as relevant).
• Current first aid certificate for the team's supervisor.
• The named technicians who will actually be on site for the work.

Related reading

• Rope access technician skills and qualifications (Singapore)
• Work at height rules in Singapore for building owners
• Work at height safety in Singapore — full reference