Overview
The New Zealand Certificate in Industrial Rope Access (Level 3) is to provide the industrial rope access sector with people who have attained basic on-rope vertical skills using constructed anchors.
The qualification is an entry point for people who aim to work in industrial rope access roles such as rope access technicians, electricians with rope access, and industrial abseilers.
On completion of the training, graduates will be able to:
- Prepare rope access equipment for work, and report equipment faults
- Set up and dismantle basic industrial rope access systems and carry out elementary on-rope skills
- Comprehend and act on instructions, and communicate within a team when setting up industrial rope access systems; and complete basic workplace documentation
- Identify and adhere to health and safety requirements when using ropes and associated equipment to gain access to and from, and be suspended at, work sites
- Maintain personal safety while working at heights including the set up and use fall arrest systems
- Carry out recovery.
What happens if someone has worked on ropes for years and now wants the qualification?
Evidence will need to be provided to support the time that person has accumulated within the industrial rope access environment. VHNZ will discuss a specific training plan for you.
Outcomes
- Courses on both theory and practical elements relating to the unit standards.
- A photo ID for each trainee stating that this qualification has been obtained.
- A log book containing a place for personal details, employer’s details, glossary of terms, definitions, each unit along with its aim and requirements for both the trainee and the tutor/trainer, basic facts and figures, the OSH checklist for industrial abseiling, commonly used knots, record of work, assessment records, a summary of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, procedure for dealing with the public, first aid and CPR notes, and an equipment log.
Course Duration
This programme is delivered on behalf of The Skills Organisation (Skills), and trainees will be enrolled with Skills. All credit reporting (trainee results) will be reported by VHNZ to NZQA. On completion of the programme, Skills will l issue trainees with the New Zealand Certificate in Industrial Rope Access (Level 3). VHNZ will facilitate the enrollment process of all trainees with Skills.
The following training pathway is followed:

Between Phase 1 and Phase 2 Trainees are required to complete at least 130 hours logged rope access work.
Phase 2 includes a “capstone assessment” to assess current competence.
Pre-entry Information
- Be in employment and engaging with rope work related to the scope of the programme
- Be physically able to demonstrate competency (climb and lift weights)
- Weigh less than 135 Kilograms (maximum weight for a harness)
- Hold unit standards 6400, 6401 and 6402 First Aid.
- Able to complete the work experience requirement
- Have an appropriate level of literacy and numeracy.
Entry Criteria
To be eligable for this course trainees must hold NZ OR Australian Citizenship.
NZQA Unit Standards for 6-day programme and practical assessment
Unit Standard
|
Unit Description
|
Level
|
Credit
|
23229
|
Use safety harness system when working at height
|
3
|
4
|
15757
|
Use, install and disestablish temporary proprietary height safety systems when working at height
|
3
|
4
|
19522
|
Undertake job safety analysis
|
3
|
3
|
19358
|
Describe legislative requirements for the industrial rope access industry
|
3
|
3
|
19359
|
Inspect and maintain height safety equipment
|
3
|
3
|
19360
|
Plan and prepare for basic industrial rope access work
|
3
|
3
|
30266
|
Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and safety culture and practices
|
3
|
6
|
19361
|
Set up and dismantle basic industrial rope access systems
|
3
|
14
|
19362
|
Carry out elemental on-rope skills
|
3
|
14
|
19363
|
Carry out simple patient recovery by rope techniques
|
3
|
15
|
Total Credits
|
69
|
PLEASE NOTE
Our courses have a theoretical element. A suitable level of reading, writing and the ability to comprehend English is required. If you have any concerns regarding this please contact the office prior to the course so we can discuss options.
It is important to be on time; late arrivals may be refused admission.
Please ensure you bring a pen, note book and highlighter.
If training is on-site it is expected that any training space/s, and equipment, provided for the training will be legally compliant.
For courses involving practical use of machinery, vehicles, plant or equipment please ensure appropriate footwear and hi-vis are worn.
Height Safety courses only - If you have your own Fall Arrest equipment, you are welcome to bring this to the course. This allows training to be completed using the equipment you use in the workplace. Additionally, equipment can be inspected by our trainers.
NOTE: Lunch is not provided but coffee and tea are available.
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