When planning for a task, selection of equipment is part of the process to ensure you are using equipment that is appropriate for the task at hand and also conforms to the required standards.

Early on during your training week, we’ll have a ‘gear talk’ with you where, with your help (there’s homework involved), we’ll go over the use/purpose, standards, and manufacturers recommendations for each piece of relevant equipment. This will include: helmets, descenders, ascenders, backup devices, security attachments, karabiners, mallion rapides, and industrial seats.

During your IRATA Assessment, all levels will be asked to demonstrate awareness of the equipment-selection process, based on fitness for purpose and conformity with relevant standards and legislation.

L3 certifying techs will be asked to demonstrate competence selecting suitable items of equipment for a given work task, and to be able to identify situations where other equipment is more appropriate.

Equipment selection will be included in a site’s Safety Method Statement, which all levels should have access to, and be able to read and understand.

We’ll be covering all of this during your training week, but let’s go into detail on one of the components in the selection process right away: standards.

What’s a standard?

A standard is a document that outlines a set of rules and guidelines that have been established and agreed on by a governing body, to ensure the maximum level of order and/or safety of the consumer (ie. you). They include EN, CSA group, and ANSI (amongst others).

The relevant standards will be listed on each piece of equipment (we’ll show you where). You can also find them by going to petzl.com. Here are the steps for finding that information:

• Once on their homepage, click professional.
• Then verticality to see a selection of all their products.
• Choose the category (helmets, ascenders, etc.) and then select the product that you’re using.
• Click see all technical content.
• And then download the technical notice.

Different standards may have their own separate technical notice, depending on how specific the requirements are.

On Assessment Day, your assessor may ask you to demonstrate your awareness or competence through a desk-based written test, or through a more practical, often verbal, demonstration. Be prepared for both.

Additional resources to check out:

TACS 6.4.3 for the source material for this blog.

ICOP Part 2, 2.7 for more information on the selection of equipment, including legal requirements, standards, and the limits of equipment use and compatibility.

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This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down IRATA’s syllabus and clarifying exactly what ‘demonstrating competence’ and ‘demonstrating awareness’ means, and what will be expected of you on assessment day. To access the IRATA study guides, click below: