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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What certifications must the instructor have for Working at Heights training?
A Work at Heights instructor must have at least:
- Certification of Adult Trainer (by the EOPPEP in Greece), because this is Non-Formal Education.
- Certification for Occupational Education and Training, because it concerns employee training.
- Advanced First Aid Certification for workplaces, to be able to respond immediately and effectively to any incident that may arise during training.
- Certification for Supervision of Work at Heights (e.g. IRATA L3), for the safe implementation of the practical part of the training.
- Certification for Rescue at Height (e.g. IRATA L3), to have proven rescue capability, should any such need arise during the practical part of the training.
- Certification for the Inspection of Personal Protective Equipment against falls, so that he can check the personal equipment of the participants before the practical part of the training.
2. What other qualifications are required of the trainer?
A complete Trainer must possess the following:
- Proven experience in performing work at height, in a variety of cases and methods (Portable Ladders, Scaffolding, Lifting Platforms, Roofs, Climbing on Masts and Towers, Climbing Trees, Rope Access, etc.) and for a long period of time (min. 3 years), to possess knowledge and skills acquired in the field.
- Proven experience in Supervision of Work at Height (Safety Supervisor), in various sectors of Industry and Construction (min. 2 years), so that he/she knows procedures and methodologies of safe work in practice.
- Proven ability in the preparation of documentation papers such as Risk Assessment, Fall Protection Plan, Rescue Plan from Heights, Job Safety Analysis - Job Hazard Analysis, Work Permits System, etc.
- Proven, Continuous Participation in Training related to the subjects they should teach, to ensure their continuous contact, both with these subjects and with the educational process in general.
- Finally, frequent article writing, the publication of books or manuals, and the preparation of studies on relevant subjects are also important catalysts for the optimisation of educational competence.
3. Can an IRATA L3 become a worker at height trainer?
Obviously not.
A rope access technician may be IRATA Level 3 certified but may lack educational qualifications or proficiency. They may not even have completed the basic education (High School).
Especially in Greece, for adult training, the educational adequacy of Non-Formal Education is certified only by the EOPPEP.
Although an IRATA Level 3 technician can progress to IRATA instructor status, this certification is limited to rope access training conducted by IRATA.
There is a common misconception in Greece that an IRATA Level 3 technician possesses sufficient experience to conduct Basic Training in Working at Heights. However, this belief is misleading. Many IRATA Level 3 technicians may have limited or no experience with other methods of accessing heights, such as ladders, scaffolding, or elevating work platforms. Their expertise primarily lies in rope access, which may not be necessary or relevant for all workers.
4. Can a Safety Technician conduct training for working at height?
Obviously not.
A rope access technician may be IRATA Level 3 certified but may lack educational qualifications or proficiency. They may not even have completed the basic education (High School).
Especially in Greece, for adult training, the educational adequacy of Non-Formal Education is certified only by the EOPPEP.
Although an IRATA Level 3 technician can progress to IRATA instructor status, this certification is limited to rope access training conducted by IRATA.
There is a common misconception in Greece that an IRATA Level 3 technician possesses sufficient experience to conduct Basic Training in Working at Heights. However, this belief is misleading. Many IRATA Level 3 technicians may have limited or no experience with other methods of accessing heights, such as ladders, scaffolding, or elevating work platforms. Their expertise primarily lies in rope access, which may not be necessary or relevant for all workers.
5. Is training for Working at Heights that does not include Rescue sufficient?
Of course it is.
When this can be documented within the company's Risk Assessment and Emergency Response Plan, training that does not include rescue and evacuation from height is sufficient.
Usually, such training is conducted for personnel of companies that have Rescue Teams capable of responding immediately* to any incident occurring in the company's facilities and workplaces.
* Immediate response means in less than 10 minutes.
Otherwise, training without rescue/evacuation is insufficient, as employees must be trained to use basic height-rescue kits and to participate in periodic exercises and refresher training.
6. When is refresher training needed and why?
Legislation requires frequent employee retraining on critical or high-risk topics.
Falls from height are the leading cause of accidents in industry and construction and are considered high-risk activities, which is why frequent retraining is required.
Another important reason for retraining is the repeated need to evacuate and rescue personnel from heights, as the required equipment is not part of standard tasks.
The maximum time for employee refresher training should not exceed 3 years, in line with international best practices.
7. Is the refresher training the same as the initial one? And if not, what does it include?
The refresher training for Working at Heights may be the same as the initial training if, after completing the initial training, there is no frequent work at height, no frequent use of PPE for falls, and no application of the required techniques and methods.
If, on the contrary, work at height is frequently carried out and protective measures and fall-protective equipment are implemented, the refresher training for work at height differs and requires less training time.
It focuses primarily on the repetition of core principles and best practices, information on new methods and the improvement or correction of existing ones, and the deepening of procedures for rescue and evacuation from heights.
8. I have attended a training course on Working at Heights that did not include a practical part. Is it sufficient?
Obviously not.
The training must include both theoretical and practical components, as well as the evaluation of participants' theoretical and practical performance.
The theoretical section concludes with a comprehension test. In contrast, the practical part includes the assessment of participants' ability to select, check and adjust their personal equipment, to know the correct use of components and the risks of incorrect use, to apply protection systems with movement restriction and fall arrest, to correctly use permanent or temporary protection systems, as well as to operate evacuation/rescue devices from a height.
9. Employees in my company occasionally work at height and usually at a height not exceeding 3-4 meters. Do they need to receive training?
Of course. After all, 70% of accidents involving falls occur from heights of 2 to 5 meters, where head injuries and limb fractures are the most common serious injuries.
The law requires safety measures at any height where a fall could injure a worker.
If control measures include the use of PPE to prevent falls, then Working at Heights training is mandatory.
10. What is the typical Height Rescue Kit?
A typical Height Rescue Kit is equipment designed for the immediate, safe evacuation of individuals from heights without requiring complex procedures or specialised knowledge.
These kits typically include an automatic descent device or similar tools (such as descenders) that can be operated safely and easily by any worker.
Height Rescue Kits are ready to use and require no additional preparation or adjustments. They come with all necessary individual components, as outlined in the company's rescue plans.
The primary function of Height Rescue Kits is to quickly release a worker from the fall arrest system and lower them to a safe location. In contrast, Confined Space Rescue Kits are intended to lift and evacuate a worker from a confined space.
Some rescue kits can be effectively used in both situations.
11. How can I check the validity of a certificate?
Very easily.
HIGH ACCESS certificates include a QR code that links to the Verification page.
You will need to fill in the first line, the holder's last name in capital Latin characters, exactly as it appears on the certificate.
On the second line, enter the certificate number, then click "Search".
The system will inform you whether the certificate exists (i.e., is genuine), the holder's full name, and its expiration date.
12. Where are HIGH ACCESS certificates valid?
HIGH ACCESS certificates are valid in all European countries and in countries that follow European standards (EN).
A certificate may not be accepted if the country or organisation you are submitting it to has specific provisions or requirements; however, this has not occurred to date.