In the late 1990s, the rope access industry in South Africa was largely dependent on the British training system developed by the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA). While the system was well established internationally, many local companies believed that South Africa needed a more accessible and cost-effective training and certification structure suited to local industry conditions.
Around 1997–1998, the local rope access industry began exploring ways to establish a locally governed system. This initiative led to the formation of the South African Industrial Rope Access Association (SAIRA). One of the main driving forces behind this initiative was **Bob Woods from the company Skyriders.
Development of the First South African Rope Access Standards
SAIRA approached the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to develop a formal, legally recognized standard that could be referenced within the South African regulatory framework, rather than relying solely on international guidelines.
SABS established a technical committee and received formal approval from IRATA to use their guidelines as a foundation for the development of a local standard. As a result, four rope access standards were created in 1999:
- SABS 0333-1:1999 – Code of Practice: Industrial Rope Access, Part 1 – Worksite Procedures
- SABS 0333-2:1999 – Code of Practice: Industrial Rope Access, Part 2 – Training and Certification Procedures
- SABS 0333-3:1999 – Code of Practice: Industrial Rope Access, Part 3 – Inspection, Certification and Management Procedures for Equipment
- SABS 1833:1999 – Specification: Equipment for Use in Industrial Rope Access Work
These standards were officially launched in 2000, giving SAIRA significant legitimacy within the local industry. As with most new systems, the process involved bureaucracy, regulatory challenges, and considerable industry adjustment.
Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, my sunset sky.
— Rabindranath Tagore
Introduction of Fall Arrest Training
During the development of the rope access training system, the need to incorporate fall arrest training techniques into the SAIRA framework was identified.
A two-day fall arrest training course was developed, which included both theoretical and practical components, as well as rescue training. Similar to rope access training assessments, the course required evaluation by an external assessor to ensure competency and training integrity.
This initiative represented the first step toward the later development of Unit Standard 229995, which significantly expanded formal work-at-height training in South Africa.
The development of fall arrest training also contributed to the creation of the Rope Access and Fall Arrest Association (RAFAA). One of the earliest RAFAA fall arrest courses was presented to **SAFRICOM in Kenya in 2003, marking an early step toward regional training influence.
Skills Development and Outcome-Based Training
In 1998, South Africa implemented the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998, which aimed to transform the national training system. The Act called on industry subject-matter experts to establish professional bodies responsible for developing outcome-based training standards for specific sectors.
Oversight of this process was assigned to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). As a result, the existing SABS rope access standards needed to be converted into an outcome-based training framework.
A Standards Generating Body (SGB) was established through the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) under the Cleaning SGB. At that time, many rope access companies were involved in high-rise window cleaning, and SSETA proved to be a highly supportive and organized partner in the development process.
Industry professionals including myself, Gert Foster, and Ettien Tredoux spent numerous evenings converting fall arrest and rope access procedures into formal outcome-based unit standards.
This process revealed the enormous workload required not only to develop the standards, but also to create learning materials and accreditation systems so that training providers could deliver the courses to the broader industry.
Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, my sunset sky.
— Rabindranath Tagore
Development of Work-at-Height Training Unit Standards
The following training unit standards were developed for fall arrest and rope access:
Fall Arrest Unit Standards
- US ID 229998 – Explain and Perform Fall Arrest Techniques When Working at Height
- US ID 229995 – Install, Use and Perform Basic Rescues from Fall Arrest Systems and Implement a Fall Protection Plan
- US ID 229999 – Perform a Range of Advanced Fall Arrest Rescues
- US ID 229994 – Assess a Worksite for Work at Height and Prepare a Fall Protection Plan
Rope Access Unit Standards
- US ID 230000 – Perform a Range of Limited Rope Access Tasks and Rescues
- US ID 229996 – Rig Working Ropes, Undertake Rescues and Perform Rope Access Tasks
- US ID 230001 – Supervise Rope Access Teams and Perform Advanced Maneuvers and Rescues
- US ID 229997 – Select Equipment and Rig Ropes for Rope Access Projects
Heavy hearts, like heavy clouds in the sky, are best relieved by the letting of a little water.
— Christopher Morley
Formation of the Institute for Work at Height
With the development of these training standards, the industry recognized the need for a central organization to manage training systems, ensure quality assurance, and represent industry interests.
This led to the creation of the Institute for Work at Height (IWH) in January 2009. The institute was formed through the merger of:
- The Specialised Access Engineering Manufacturers Association (SAEMA)
- The Rope Access and Fall Arrest Association (RAFAA)
The goal of the new organization was to promote safety awareness, professionalism, and industry development within the broader Work-at-Height sector.
The IWH was structured into two key components:
- The Institute for Work at Height (Trade Body) – representing industry members and companies.
- The Professional Body – responsible for overseeing training providers and maintaining training standards.
This structure helped establish a more unified and professional work-at-height industry in South Africa, ensuring both industry representation and training quality control.