For skilled rope access technicians who aren’t certified through SPRAT, but who’d like to be evaluated for a SPRAT level 2 certification, because they have comparable expertise and experience, the Direct Entry procedure is a fantastic option. You can only apply for Direct Entry into SPRAT L2 if you have adequate experience (more info below) working on a two-rope system, and if you’ve never previously held a SPRAT certification.
Direct Entry into SPRAT is a lengthy process, there to ensure that newly certified technicians will uphold their safe system of work and reputation. The process involves submitting a series of documents to their evaluations committee (must be done no less than 5 weeks prior to your scheduled assessment), previous experience and hours with a recognized rope access association, participating in a 4-day training with a recognized TMC (like us), and completing a one-day evaluation.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for Direct Entry L2, you should have the same level of experience as an equivalent SPRAT L2 tech. To be certified as a SPRAT L2, you’ll need 500 hours of logged two-rope experience and hold or have held a Level 2 certificate from a recognized rope access association. If attempting to upgrade from an Level 1 certification, you must have 500 hours of experience, and hold or have held an certification from a recognized rope access association for a minimum of 6 months to be considered for Level 2 Sprat Direct Entry.
Recognized Rope Access Associations:
- Australian Rope Access Association (ARAA)
- German Association for Rope Access (FISAT)
- Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA)
- IRATA Brasil Associação Comercial de Acesso por Cordas Industrial (IRATA Brasil)
- Norwegian Association for Rope Access (SOFT)
- Singapore Rope Access Association (SRAA)
Here’s a list of the documentation you’ll need to submit (ideally in an electronic format) to their evaluations committee to prove your eligibility.
- Two professional references
- Verification of current or previous certification
- A log book or equivalent record of work experience using a two-rope system. Each entry should include:
- The date(s) you were working (could list consecutive days, but be specific. Ex. March 5-8th)
- The hours from that work day you were in suspension (your log-able hours).
- Details of the type of work (ex. washing windows).
- The form of access (descending, ascending, rope transfer, hauling, rigging, etc)
- Signature of your rope access supervisor, the manager or client, as validation of the work you did.
- Hours that are traditionally not considered industrial rope access cannot be more than 20% (100 hours) of the 500 hour requirement. These hours include bosun chair work, controlled descent, and rope rescue training, instruction, and operations. If two ropes are used as a training tool that is teaching a single rope technique, this cannot be included.
SUBMISSION
To apply, please head to the SPRAT website here. Once you've completed the application form and have collected all the supporting documentation, please email it all to: info@sprat.org. You will also need to pay a fee of $300 US dollars to process the application (or the current going rate as per their website). This does not include your training.
The review process will take up to 5-6 weeks. So make sure you get this application in well before your preferred training dates. When you receive your confirmation letter, please submit the letter to us when you sign up for your SPRAT DE training session.
TRAINING & ASSESSMENT
Once you've been approved for your SPRAT L2 direct entry, contact us to confirm your training dates and registration. We will take you through all aspects of the syllabus relevant to the certification you’ll be assessing for. It will be a very physical 4 days. Your endurance and strength will be tested, but if you have proper conditioning and climb using the proper method, you’ll be in good shape.
Your SPRAT L2 assessment will take place over one day with a certified SPRAT Evaluator, who is independent of you, Pacific Ropes, and your employer. As a Direct Entry candidate, you'll be evaluated on all skills required for a L1 AND L2 SPRAT Technician.
As a SPRAT direct entry applicant, you have two attempts for your SPRAT level 2 evaluation. If you do not pass both attempts, a new direct entry application must be submitted.
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