What are the 6 work-at-height exercises?
The exercises are:
- Travel restraint
- Candidate establishes and uses travel restraint system near an unprotected edge.
- Overhead self-retracting devices
- Candidate transitions between an overhead self-retracting device and another fall arrest system.
- Ladder climb systems
- Candidate transitions between a ladder climb system and another fall arrest system.
- Horizontal lifeline system
- Candidate transitions between horizontal lifeline system and another fall arrest system.
- Energy absorbing lanyards and backup system (vertical lifeline)
- Candidate transitions between energy absorbing lanyards and backup system.
- Energy absorbing lanyards and rope access system in descent mode
- Candidate transitions between energy absorbing lanyards and descent mode.
Examples of successful completion of the exercises required for the fall protection certification may be found here. Ensure closed captioning is on to view exercise descriptions.
Can a work-at-height evaluation be conducted the same day as a rope access evaluation?
Yes.
A fall protection evaluation may be conducted during the same day as a rope access evaluation. Only one evaluation may be administered at a time.
How long will the work-at-height certification be valid?
3 years.
Similar to the rope access certifications, re-certifications completed within 6 months prior to expiration of a current certification are valid for three years from the expiration date of that certification.
What will be the cost of the work-at-height certification?
$100 per candidate.
The fall protection certification will have a fee of $100 for any candidate.
Is the work-at-height certification a prerequisite for obtaining a SPRAT rope access certification?
No.
The certification is separate from SPRAT’s rope access certification.
If a candidate doesn’t pass a work-at-height evaluation, can they still participate in a rope access evaluation on the same day?
Yes.
Any observations made during one evaluation will have no bearing on grading of another. Similarly, a candidate that failed a rope access evaluation would be able to participate in a fall protection evaluation on the same day.
How many days of training are required prior to the work-at-height evaluation?
An estimated 1-2 days.
Like SPRAT’s rope access certification, the training requirements for the fall protection certification are objective-based and SPRAT will not dictate a time requirement. The fall protection certification program has been designed with the expectation that all material could be covered within two days of training. Due to the similarity of concepts, if combined with a rope access course, it is believed that the fall protection concepts could be trained with one additional day of training.
Is rescue included as part of the work-at-height certification?
No.
SPRAT’s Fall Protection Certification Requirements states that “while ensuring prompt rescue from fall protection systems is a requirement of a fall protection plan, partner rescue is outside the scope of this standard.”
How does the work-at-height evaluation address variations of presiding regulatory authorities?
SPRAT’s Regulatory Assistance Committee has developed the Presiding Regulatory Authority Reference as a supplement for the membership and for the fall protection certification program. When coupled with the site fall protection plan requirements, which include fall protection system and equipment usage, regulatory requirements are taken into account as part of the grading of the fall protection certification exercises.
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Are there additional requirements for an Evaluation Session Host to be able to host a work-at-height evaluation?
Yes.
There are additional site requirements to be able to host a fall protection evaluation, such as climbing structures and fall protection equipment. This information is available in SPRAT’s Fall Protection Evaluation Guidelines.
There are no additional administrative requirements within SPRAT’s system. Completion of the annual host agreement and maintenance of insurance documentation within SPRAT’s online system allows an Evaluation Session Host to host both rope access and fall protection evaluations. This general hosting information is available HERE.
Can any Evaluator administer a work-at-height evaluation?
No.
An Evaluator must complete additional requirements for their appointment to include allowance for administering a fall protection evaluation. SPRAT’s online system will be modified to warn Evaluation Session Hosts if an Evaluator has not yet completed requirements to administer a fall protection evaluation.
How do I become an appointed Evaluator to administer work-at-height evaluations?
Follow SPRAT’s Process to Become an Evaluator
To control program growth initially, only current evaluators and evaluator candidates will be eligible to become appointed fall protection evaluators. In addition to the detailed process, Evaluators must also attend a webinar and a workshop to be eligible to administer fall protection evaluations. In the future, SPRAT may consider offering a pathway for Evaluator appointments solely for administering fall protection sessions.
Is an Independent Evaluator required to conduct the work-at-height evaluation?
No.
Similar to the establishment of SPRAT’s rope access certification, for the initial development of this program, an Evaluator does not need to be independent of the candidates in a fall protection session. This decision has been made to facilitate the initial growth of this certification area, in consideration of the economic viability of the program, and to accommodate the potential additional demand for Evaluators.
How many work-at-height evaluations may an Evaluator conduct in a day?
Two.
An Evaluator may conduct two fall protection evaluations in one day for a total of 16 candidates. However, if the Evaluator is also conducting a rope access evaluation, they may only conduct one fall protection evaluation on the same day.