Myth Busters

This page is going to be used to provide advice on the various myths, urban legends and blatant untruths that abound in the industry. All information has been thoroughly researched, but it is still up to you to make up your own final mind on any topic. None of these opinions have been tested in court in SA so are just educated opinions based on the facts available.

If you have heard anything that you do not quite believe, send us an email and we will try to find out if it is true or not. Results will be published here.

The Myths: (Click the myth to find out more)

The OHS Act is South Africa requires all persons involved in Industrial rope access and fall arrest to hold the SAQA registered qualifications (unit standards).
There is a statutory requirement for Rope access technicians to hold qualifications in South Africa
Rope access technicians must provide their own PPE
The SABS (SANS) standards are compulsory and I must comply with them at all times
I hold an IRAATA qualification, therefore I do not need to worry about the South African qualifications as I am internationally recognised

Myth - The OHS Act is South Africa requires all persons involved in Industrial rope access and fall arrest to hold the SAQA registered qualifications (unit standards)

This is one of the typical ploys used to try to get people to part with their hard earned money and onto a training course they might not need. IRAA-SA is of the opinion that workers carrying out specialised skills should be trained properly, however often the training being insisted on is far in excess of what is actually required for the job or situation at hand.

This is often justified by unscrupulous training providers by quoting the definition of a "Competent Person" as listed in the OH&S Act (Construction regulations). In the definitions it states, " in relation to construction work, means any person having the knowledge, training and experience specific to the work or task being performed: Provided that where appropriate qualifications and training are registered in terms of the provisions of the South African Qualifications Authority Act, 1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995), these qualifications and training shall be deemed to be the required qualifications and training "

The Act here is defining a "Competent Person" not necessarily the actual worker. To see how this applies to workers we must in addition read sections 7(4) & 7(9)(a)

Section 7(4) states: " A contractor shall ensure that all employees under the his or her control are informed, instructed and trained by a competent person regarding any hazard and the related work procedures before any work commences, and thereafter at such times as may be determined in the risk assessment "

Section 7(9)(a) states: " Every employee on site shall - be in possession of proof of the health and safety induction training as determined in sub-regulation (7), issued by a competent person of the contractor prior to the commencement of construction work "

The Competent Person as contemplated in the Act is a person who provides training to the workers and issues some sort of proof of health and safety induction training. It does not refer to the worker themselves. Do not be misled.

Myth - There is a statutory requirement for Rope access technicians to hold formal qualifications in South Africa

Not so, this again has been spread around in order to get people onto courses. The OHS Act simply requires in section 8(2)(e) that employers provide " .. such information, instructions, training and supervision as may be necessary to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of his employees ".

The problem here is deciding what is "reasonably practicable". This should be detailed in the workplace health and safety plan and standard operating procedures of each site or company. In other words if company "A" wants you to hold a formal qualification in order to work on their site, then you must hold one, however, if company "B" does not require it and is happy with their own 'in house' training, then that is also fine. You must check the employment conditions of each job individually.

Myth - Rope access technicians must provide their own PPE

Section 23 of the OHS Act says: " No employer shall in respect of anything which he is in terms of this Act required to provide or to do in the interest of the health or safety of an employee, make any deduction from any employee's remuneration or require or permit any employee to make any payment to him or any other person. "

The act goes on to say in section 8(2)(a), that employers must provide for, " the provision and maintenance of systems of work... " This would be your PPE and related equipment of access and fall arrest.

Therefore you are not required to provide your own PPE - it must be supplied by your employer.

Myth - The SABS (SANS) standards are compulsory and I must comply with them at all times

In the words of Peter Cross (Project leader Mech Eng Stds ) of the SABS:

"... the development and maintenance of standards is an open process based on consensus whereby strictly voluntary standards are put in place". (Bold and underline added by us)

This pretty much spells it out. The SABS (SANS) standards are voluntary and are not mandatory. Although we accept that for the most part they are a good idea, there are inherent faults in some of the standards in that they do not necessarily promote the best practice in every conceivable situation, so there are times when it is best not to follow the standards. The bottom line here is make your own judgement based on the situation. These standards are not compulsory, and you will have no recourse if an accident happens whilst following these standards. They are 'advice' only.

The only time they can be considered compulsory is if a particular contract particularly specifies that they must be followed.

Myth - I hold an IRAATA qualification, therefore I do not need to worry about the South African qualifications as I am internationally recognised

IRAATA qualifications are recognised by employers in most countries of the world and as such are also recognised in South Africa but on a voluntary basis.

As was seen in the myth, "The OHS Act is South Africa requires all persons involved in Industrial rope access and fall arrest to hold the SAQA registered qualifications (unit standards)" They do not meet the requirements of a "Competent Person" as defined on the OHS Act, due to the fact that they are not registered on the South African National Qualifications Framework.

So Although a particular employer can recognise the IRAATA qualifications in order to ensure that workers have recieved suitable training, the IRAATA and RAFAA qualifications do not meet the OHS requirements for a "Competent Person". This is ONLY met by SAQA registered unit standards and qualifications.