Can a Level 1 or Level 2 work on site without a Level 3’s supervision?

Rope access technicians should work in teams of no fewer than two, one of whom should be a Level 3 rope access safety supervisor. Do not undertake rope access work alone.

Under the IRATA International Code of Practice, only Level 3 rope access technicians may be Rope Access Safety Supervisors.

Rope Access Safety Supervisors should be:

1. competent in supervisory skills;
2. competent in rope access techniques appropriate to the particular worksite and should understand the limitation of those techniques;
3. responsible for hazard identification and risk assessment for rope access related tasks;
4. competent in workmate rescue/retrieval techniques appropriate to each worksite and be able to organise and put into effect a workmate rescue/retrieval plan appropriate to that worksite.