During your SPRAT Evaluation, L1 and L2 techs will be asked to demonstrate their understanding of an employer’s safety management program, relevant policies, work permits, work zones, and job safety analysis as required by Safe Practices for Rope Access Work. Techs should also be aware of any workplace hazards and the procedures to follow in case of an emergency (such as an evacuation or rescue). 

L3 certifying techs will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of what's involved in a job safety analysis and work plan, and how to correctly put these documents together. L3 techs must also be able to implement an employer's safety management program. 

Although all levels are responsible for their own equipment pre-use checks, L3 techs are responsible for ensuring that every member of their team can competently perform these checks, and for ensuring that the anchors (which ensure the overall system safety) meet the required standards and are safe to use.

L3 techs are additionally responsible for organizing daily safety talks (covering what went well, and specific measures that could be taken to improve safety) and writing a job post debrief.

There are three parts to fulfilling this requirement during your SPRAT Evaluation:  

• Written Test -- A closed book multiple choice written test will assess your theoretical knowledge of job safety.
• Field Practical Evaluation -- As you demonstrate the other requirements on your Evaluation Form, your Evaluator will be watching how closely you follow the Evaluation Session Host's work access plan, and follow other safety requirements (most common discrepancies listed below).  
• Team Scenario -- Techs may be asked to either participate in or lead (if you're a L3) the team scenario requirement that's part of the SPRAT L3 Evaluation Form. Your Evaluator will be watching how safely you work and communicate in a team setting, perform a task in accordance with the work plan and job safety analysis, and follow your supervisors instructions (or how well you give those instructions if you're a L3).
  
  • If there are no L3 techs in your Evaluation group, you will not need to perform part 3 of this requirement. The field evaluation and written test offer sufficient proof of your competence with job safety.

To adequately prepare for this section of your Evaluation, you're going to have to do some reading. Please familiarize yourself with the documents listed under 'additional resources' below. To give you a head start in your preparation, here's a summary of the minimum requirements for a site's work access plan and job safety analysis.

Rope Access Work Plan

Requirements taken from Section 3.3 of Safe Practices for Rope Access, and Appendix 2 and 3 of SPRAT Evaluation Guidelines

Supervising L3 Techs are responsible for putting together a Rope Access Work Plan before work begins. This plan should include:

1. The names, duties, and certifications of all the techs working on your team, including their emergency contacts. 
2. Details about the work access program, including what the work involves (inspection, repair, etc), the dates/duration of the expected work, the rope access systems being used (method and rigging requirements), and a detailed description of the client's expectations. This portion of the Work Plan could also include photos, blueprints, and diagrams. 
   • Team communication and co-ordination should also be a consideration here. Which methods, or combination of methods, will your team use? Some of your options are: direct verbal (which will depend on how loud the work site is, and how far apart techs are from each other) radio (common), hand signals (which you should have in place in case of communication device failure), cell phone, etc. 
3. A list of the public safety provisions that have been put in place. This includes exclusion zones and the permit to work system. Exclusion zones should be identified in advance and adequately marked on the job site. Size requirements, types of barriers, and policing should be considered and implemented appropriately.
4. A list of all the rope access equipment and PPE needed so that an assigned task can be completed efficiently and safely. If a job requires unfamiliar equipment, pre-job training for your team should also be considered and planned for. 
   • L3 techs are also responsible for managing and carrying out an employer’s equipment management program, which includes storing and inspection requirements.
5. A list of all provisions providing security for the anchor location. L3 Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that anchors have been properly evaluated and tested, and that the rope access system is secure and safe to use. 
6. A list of the hazards associated with the work being performed (recognizing who on your team is at risk and how), and the precautions that should be put in place to either eliminate or mitigate any risk to an acceptable level. This list should be revised and reviewed as the work program progresses, and any changes should be discussed with your team during the daily pre-work briefing. 
   • Potential hazards might include: risk of falling while working at-height, human error, communication difficulty, dropped tools, sharp abrasive or hot surface, rock fall, weather (including high or low temperatures, precipitation, and wind), etc.  
7. A description of the accident response plan, a list of the local emergency services (including the nearest hospital), and how to contact them. 
   • All potential rescue operations (including 'self-rescue', or an intervention rescue by another tech) must be outlined in this document, along with a list of the equipment that should be set aside for quick deployment in the scenarios where a rigged-for-rescue system can’t be used.

Job Safety Analysis

Requirements taken from Section 3.6 of Safe Practices for Rope Access 

Before starting work, L3 Rope Access Supervisors are responsible for completing a  Job Safety Analysis. This document should consider:

1. There's an unlocked carabiner in your safety system.
2. You've left the chinstrap of your helmet unfastened in the fall zone. This becomes an immediate fail if you forget to even put your helmet on. 
3. You accidentally drop a tool or piece of equipment while working in suspension. 
4. You're relying solely on one rope system as your means of support (fail).
5. You cannot competently perform one or more of the tasks on your Evaluation Form (fail).

Additional resources to check out:

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This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down the SPRAT Syllabus and clarifying exactly what will be expected of you on your evaluation day. To continue exploring this series and learn more about SPRAT's Technician Evaluation Form, please click below: