FISAT or IRATA: Where is the difference?
As soon as the first spring rays reach Earth our telephones don’t stop working. Customers ask for maintenance. Applicants inquire about vacancies. And again and again the question: FISAT or IRATA? Let’s explain the difference today.
FISAT or IRATA
Working in a rope is almost inevitable in the wind industry. Climbers are needed for inspections, minor repairs to the surfaces of a wind turbine or to assist by installation. Since more and more wind farms are being built, the need for personnel is also increasing. But who is being sought? The rotor blade technician with rope certificate or the industrial climber? And with which climbing certificate?
First of all: neither the industrial climber nor the rotor blade service technician are recognised vocational trainings. Our employees first learned a trade and then attended further education courses. Here the spectrum ranges from further training as a service technician, assembly technician, laminator, welding specialist to specialist for the maintenance and repair of rotor blades. And anyone who can imagine doing the work from a rope even at lofty heights is awarded a climbing certificate.
Now to the FISAT or IRATA certificate question:
Safe working at height is not possible without careful planning and thoughtful use. Everyone who works from the rope should know the safety standards for the use of rope access and positioning techniques. Unfortunately, there is no certificate that is recognized everywhere.
FISAT e.V. (Fach- und Interessenverband für Seilunterstützte Arbeitstechniken) is the umbrella organisation for industrial climbers in Germany. Training according to FISAT is carried out in accordance with the European Directive 2009/104/EC. This has been adopted into national law in the individual European states. For Germany, the Technical Rules for Operational Safety 2121 Part 3 (TRBS 2121-3) specify the directive in more detail. FISAT also meets the requirements of ISO standards 22846-1 and 22846-2 (Rope Access Systems). A rope access technician with a FISAT certificate is therefore trained in accordance with international and national laws and guidelines in Europe.
IRATA International is an industry association led by its members. Three decades ago, standards for industrial rope access were established to meet the specific needs of work in the offshore industry. Since then, these standards have been continuously developed and have established themselves internationally in the industry.
The decision which certificate employees should present is made by the responsible entrepreneur - in our case: our customer. Both certificates are based on high requirements and enable work to be carried out safely at height.