19 Feb Top 5 Reasons to get SPRAT Certified

SPRAT Certification

Here at Safety One, we offer  instruction in at-height safety & rescue, rigging & hoisting, confined space, wood pole, snowcat,  snowmobile,  ATV, winter survival  and other custom coursework. We also offer SPRAT training, one of the most difficult and sought after certifications in the at-height realm. But many tower workers and safety managers are confused as to why they should pursue this training, and how it will help them. To get straight scoop answers for the true meaning of this certification for your average tower worker, I consulted Brian Bourquin one of our lead instructors and a SPRAT Level 3. Brian’s thoughts:

Rope Access (SPRAT, IRATA or others) is the highest form of at-height certification, and Rope Access technicians are the “A” crew of all the climbing disciplines. Here are the top 5 reasons in my opinion for any tower worker to consider investing their time and money with this training.

• Rope access has the safest track record,which includes zero deaths.
• The certification is difficult to achieve with four days of training and a full fifth day of testing by  an independent  3rd party evaluator.  If you cannot perform the skills, you will not pass.
• Rope Access is the safest and fastest way to accomplish tower work. You climb to the top once, set your lines and then can easily maneuver to any position on the tower.
• Rescue is also expedited as the rescue lines are already in place.
• The certification stays with the individual so it is transferable between companies.

Brian certainly has a firm grasp on the subject, and has been a rope access supervisor for a number of years now. This certification is gaining a toehold within the tower and utility industries, and should continue to establish itself as an important evaluation criteria for at-height worker safety. Do not be surprised if some tower companies, turf vendors or safety managers require some SPRAT certification in the near future. Perhaps someday any Trainer who authorizes the standard climber safety & rescue certification (or Competent Climber as it is well known) will be required to be a SPRAT or even a SPRAT Level 3. With the 13 fatalities last year in the telecommunications world and already 4 this year, it should be considered.

Kevin Carter