Ropes Riggers

Rigger profile

Someone able to provide rigging services to protect persons at, or close to, exposed drops (using a harness and techniques for work restraint, work in suspension or fall arrest), to rescue persons stuck at height, or to haul / lower relatively light production equipment.

The range of rigging services involved includes industrial rope access, tree work, caving, rock climbing, mountaineering, canyoneering, etc. each having their own specialist equipment and techniques, and therefore differing skillsets and experience.

Competency criteria

BBC Safety currently does not maintain a list of pre-vetted Ropes Riggers, so productions should contact their Safety Adviser to support them in getting these contractors safety vetted. The following competency criteria should be used for the relevant discipline required:

For rope access rigging, the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) provide an internationally recognised grading scheme for rope access technicians (SPRAT in USA). The scheme is based on training, experience and independent assessment, with the following competency levels:

• Level 1 Rope Access Technician – able to perform simple rigging techniques under supervision of a Level 3 Supervisor
• Level 2 Rope Access Technician – as for Level 1, although is able to perform more complex rigging and rescue tasks
• Level 3 Rope Access Supervisor – able to perform a wide range of complex rigging and rescue tasks, and to plan and manage rigging jobs.

For rock climbing and mountaineering rigging, the various UK Mountain Training Associations, under the BMC, train and assess the following Instructor qualifications / awards:

• Climbing Wall Award (CWA) – capable of instructing on fully equipped indoor climbing walls
• Single Pitch Award (SPA) – as CWA, plus capable of instructing on single pitch rock climbs outdoors
• Mountain Instructors Award (MIA) – capable of instructing in all forms of climbing and mountaineering in summer conditions in UK
• Mountain Instructors Certificate (MIC) – as MIA, but includes all forms of climbing in winter conditions in UK
• International Federation of Mountain Guides Association (IFMGA) – internationally recognised professional mountain Guide, capable of instructing in all forms of climbing / mountaineering.

For caving rigging, the British Caving Association train and assess the following Instructor qualifications / awards:

• Cave Instructors Certificate (CIC) – capable of instructing groups in all forms of cave exploration, including through sections requiring use of ropes.

For tree / arborist rigging, City & Guilds award the following tree climbing / rescue qualification:

• CS38/39 – Tree Climbing & Ariel Rescue.