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Children first attend school to learn their “ABCs,” and an iconic song from 1907 looks back nostalgically at “School days,” when Nellie and Joe were taught “Read-in’ and ‘rit-in’ and ‘rith-metic.”
Tutelage since then has emphasized higher education and graduation. However, learning is a continuous process, especially on the job. As technology and ambition advance, workers need training that enhances quality and safety.
When more than 40,000 Canadian workers are hurt yearly from falls, working at height is a prime example of why training is necessary. The hazards are so prevalent in the oil/gas and wind power industries that the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) and Global Wind Organisation (GWO) formed to develop training regimens to enable maintenance technicians to perform their tasks safely, hence more productively.
Working at heights is also a daily reality in the construction industry and for commercial, institutional, industrial, and municipal buildings where rooftop building services equipment needs to be inspected, maintained, and repaired, windows in high-rises need to be cleaned, and other high-risk activities must be performed. Certified IRATA, GWO, and Work-at-Height courses can provide valuable life-saving instruction across all businesses and industries.
IRATA established a rigorous global standard for rope access techniques. Certified IRATA Rope Access Training focuses on safe working practices, equipment handling, and rescue procedures. Three levels of IRATA courses build upon the skills and expertise of the previous course. Since standards evolve, graduates must revalidate their IRATA certification every three years.
GWO has developed a suite of training programs tailored to the unique demands and hazards faced by technicians in the renewable energy sector. Among other requirements, new candidates must be at least 18 years old, physically fit, and register with the GWO WINDA system. Certifications are valid for two years.
GWO BST instruction is the recommended entry-level course. Initial training spans four days, while the refresher courses are condensed into two and one-half days. It offers comprehensive training across four critical safety concerns:
Additional training in GWO BST includes:
GWO ART prepares individuals for complex rescue operations within specific sections of wind turbine generators. The initial training course covers three days, and the refresher package takes two days. (GWO BST is a prerequisite.) The course is divided into four modules:
Additional training is provided for sea survival, enhanced first aid, and advanced rescue.
The Working at Heights course is tailored for individuals required to work at height, such as roofers, window cleaners, rooftop maintenance technicians, utility workers, surveyors, telecom tower climbers, and others who work on elevated platforms, climb poles, or use tall ladders. It provides participants with the relevant skills, knowledge, and competence to work safely using fall protection equipment. Working at Heights training is often a prerequisite for IRATA and GWO courses.
Theoretical content covers:
Practical components include:
The investment in specialized training programs like IRATA, GWO, and Working at Heights enhances personal safety and helps organizations comply with industry standards. Since regulations and technologies evolve, refresher courses enable workers to stay current with best practices and the latest equipment.