You can find all the answers to your questions here.
No, GWO ART training is accessible to anyone with a minimum of experience in the wind energy industry who wishes to develop their technical knowledge of victim rescue and its implementation.
Although not legally mandatory, GWO ART training is required by clients, particularly for offshore teams.
Like most GWO modules, the ART module is valid for 24 months.
Yes, GWO-accredited Advanced Rescue Training is recognised worldwide.
Yes, upon starting the course, trainees must hold valid certificates for the GWO Working at Height (WAH), GWO Movement and Posture (MH) and GWO First Aid (FA) modules.
Yes, the GWO-accredited Blade Repair training is recognised worldwide.
Yes, HTC Techniques Verticales provides PPE for training to all trainees.
Yes, trainees must not be allergic to chemicals.
The training module lasts 70 hours spread over 9 days, including the Saturday between the two weeks.
Yes, the wind turbine blade repair module is certified and approved under the international GWO standard.
Yes, as part of our training program, every trainee will be able to create a safety log and track the traceability of their fall protection PPE.
Yes, our teams are trained by manufacturers in the testing and inspection of PPE and travel to client sites.
Depending on requirements, the module covers helmets, fall arrest lanyards, harnesses, fall arresters, ropes, descenders, ascenders, stretchers, etc.
According to the law, statutory inspections must be carried out every 12 months.
PPE stands for Personal Protective Equipment, which is designed to protect the worker.
Yes, during the practical sessions in confined spaces, trainees will be required to use ventilation and gas detection systems.
Yes, all our confined space training modules cover the requirements and completion of a work permit.
Yes, the Labour Code imposes a general obligation for theoretical and practical safety training.
Yes, of course; this forms part of the practical training program.
A confined space is an enclosed area, either fully or partially, with very limited means of access from both outside and inside.
Yes, our teams are trained in the testing and verification of anchors and lifelines and travel to the client’s site.
According to the law, statutory inspections must be carried out every 12 months.
Yes, depending on the course chosen from our catalogue, inspection (non-destructive and destructive) and verification are included in the program.
Type A: fixed anchor point
Type B: mobile or temporary anchor point
Type C: lifeline made of cable, rope or webbing
Type D: horizontal fall arrest rail
Type E: mooring-type anchor point
The current standard is EN 795.
Although the law does not stipulate a specific frequency for refresher training, it is strongly recommended that you undertake refresher training every 3 years and/or as often as necessary.
No, you must be physically and mentally fit and will sign a medical declaration of good health on arrival at the training course.
No, PPE is provided by HTC Techniques Verticales to all trainees.
Yes, our teams travel to client sites in France and abroad.
Yes, French law requires anyone who is due to work at height to receive appropriate training for the tasks they will be carrying out.
Yes, it is possible to finance your training in two instalments.
Yes, all our training courses can be financed by the OPCOs of the various branches.
HTC technical platforms: Marseille (Peypin), Nantes (Châteaubriant), Lille (Sin-le-Noble) or on customer site (France and International).
Yes! Please contact us regarding in-house training courses.
It is advisable to register 2 months before the start of the course.
Yes, our teams travel in France and abroad.
No, compliance is provided by the equipment manufacturer.
Taking charge of PPE + checking + creating and filling in the internal safety register
12 months.
None, the equipment is supplied by HTC Techniques Verticales.
Yes, the GWO is recognized in France and internationally.
Yes, it is possible to take the modules separately.
The GWO is valid for two years.
No, but it is strongly recommended that you hold the GWO BST.
Yes, the IRATA certificate is recognized in France and internationally.
The overall pass rate for 2025 is 96%.
Progression to the next level is possible 12 months after obtaining the lower level, subject to a minimum of 1000 hours’ experience on ropes.
There are no prerequisites for IRATA Level 1.
The IRATA certificate is valid for 3 years.
A rope access technician is entitled to upgrade to a higher level on the calendar date (one year and one day) from the date of his previous assessment. For example, following a level 1 assessment on October 1, 2019, the technician may take the level 2 assessment no earlier than October 2, 2020. A rope access technician is also required to have at least 1,000 hours recorded on his work log at his current level before being upgraded. Daily hours (on ropes) may not exceed 6 hours/day.
To order your new IRATA documents, go to www.irata.org / IRATA Technicians section
A maximum of 60 days is allowed between the end of a training course and an assessment. A document proving that the training has been completed must be presented to the training member company before the assessment.
Re-assessment must take place within 60 days of the first assessment, after which the candidate must undergo full IRATA training again.
If an IRATA rope access technician loses his logbook, he must replace it immediately and, where possible, obtain credible references to verify the hours that have been lost with the logbook. Hours that cannot be verified cannot be taken into account for assessment to pass to the next level. You can order a new Log book from www.irata.org / IRATA Technicians section
If rope access technicians do not regularly use rope access techniques, their skills need to be assessed before they perform operational tasks.
Refresher training in specific techniques may be required, and the level of operations supervision required may be adjusted according to the outcome of the risk assessment.
If rope access technicians do not use the techniques for more than six months, they must undergo an IRATA rope access technician refresher course. The training must be tailored to each individual and recorded in his or her work diary.
Refresher training :
To date, there is no equivalence for rope access technicians holding a French diploma with the IRATA rope access technician certification.
Candidates must have reached the age of majority at the start of the course.
They must be in good physical condition and not suffer from any disability or pathology that could prevent them from working safely. Applicants must ensure that they are in satisfactory physical condition, that they are physically capable of performing the tasks expected of them in terms of strength, agility and coordination, and that they are able to withstand the stresses of the working environment, such as heat, cold and other inclement weather.
Candidates are required to produce a medical certificate certifying that they have no known disability or medical contraindication that could prevent them from performing their work safely.
If a candidate has a contraindication, he or she must obtain a medical certificate before beginning rope access training activities.
Candidates should carefully consider their experience before attempting to progress to a higher level. Those who do not possess the appropriate skills, have not undergone appropriate training prior to the assessment, and are unfamiliar with the program are unlikely to meet the requirements.
Rope access technicians must work in teams of at least two. Preferably, one of the two technicians should be an IRATA level 3 supervisor (or a rope access technician with more professional experience). Solo work is not permitted.
Only IRATA level 3 rope access technicians are authorized to be in charge of safety on rope access work sites.
Those responsible for rope access site safety
1. Log Book entries must be countersigned by the level 3 rope access technician in charge of supervision. Under the heading « Supervisor’s signature », all Log Book entries must be countersigned by the level 3 rope access technician in charge of supervision, who must affix his or her name (clearly legible), signature and unique IRATA International number.
2. Technicians who are not always able to obtain the signature of an IRATA level 3 technician must have their hours signed by a supervisor (site manager, team leader, works supervisor, etc.) who can check that the hours have been counted accurately and that the hours have been worked on a double-chord system. The person who approves the hours recorded must enter his/her name, position and leave a telephone number where he/she can be reached (user company, temporary employment agencies).
IRATA is a not-for-profit association which has created a Quality/Safety management system whose aim is the continuous improvement of activities linked to rope access and rope access work, the validity of which is recognized in France and internationally.
IRATA International guarantees a system of safe working procedures and encourages career advancement for rope access technicians. Every three years, each technician must pass the certification again, to demonstrate that they retain the skills needed to work safely.
Technicians can also progress through three levels according to their time, experience and training: each level requiring a greater knowledge of the rope access skills needed on a worksite.
Les qualifications cordistes IRATA s’appuient sur le document du Programme de formation, d’évaluation et de certification, en suivant les niveaux définis et maintenus par l’IRATA International. (TACS)
These qualifications are a combination of technical skills, theoretical knowledge and on-the-job experience. As such, they define the prescribed skill levels to be attained by rope access technicians.
IRATA-certified rope access technicians are recognized worldwide. They are « the » highest reference qualification for rope access work.
According to decree 2004-924 dated September 1, 2004, on the use of work equipment for temporary work at height, workers must receive appropriate training specific to the operations envisaged and to rescue procedures. (qualifying training)
This training is repeated as often as necessary, at the employer’s discretion.
By passing your IRATA rope access technician certification (diploma course), you go beyond the requirements of French rope access regulations.
By revalidating your IRATA training every three years, employers can be sure that you are fit for the job and that your rope access skills are being maintained.
French companies recognize and employ IRATA rope access technicians in the same way as other French diplomas.
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