Field Service Sector
Registration of skill standards and review of unit standards for Industrial Rope Access
|
Subfield |
Domain |
ID |
|
Lifting Equipment |
Industrial Rope Access |
19358, 19360-69, 28898, 31854, 32195-32199 |
Construction and Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board has completed the review of the unit standards listed above.
Date new versions published May 2026
Planned review date December 2031
Summary
As part of the scheduled review cycle, 17 industrial rope access unit standards were reviewed.
The review was announced on the Waihanga Ara Rau’s website and industry stakeholders were notified via the Scaffolding, Access and Rigging New Zealand Association (SARNZ) in mid-2025.
A series of online meetings were conducted between July and November 2025 with a technical advisory group comprising representatives from the industrial rope access sector, SARNZ, and key education providers. Public consultation was also undertaken during this time.
During the review period, Waihanga Ara Rau published findings and recommendations from the Short Course Training Project. This project identified gaps between the intended outcomes of certain unit standards and their application in practice. These findings were considered in the review, particularly in determining appropriate duration and credit values to ensure the standards accurately reflect the outcomes they are designed to achieve.
As a result of the review, 17 existing unit standards will be expired without replacement and eight new skill standards have been developed to support future credential development.
The responsibility for these unit and skill standards has been transferred from Waihanga Ara Rau Construction and Infrastructure WDC to Construction Specialist Trades Industry Skills Board to reflect the intent of VET reforms. Construction Specialist Trades ISB has finalised these standards for registration.
Main changes
· 17 unit standards were set to expire without replacement.
· Eight new skill standards were developed to support future credentials development.
Category D unit standards will expire at the end of December 2027.
Detailed list of unit standards – classification, title, level, and credits
All changes are in bold.
|
Key to review category |
|
|
A |
Dates changed, but no other changes are made - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
B |
Changes made, but the overall outcome remains the same - the new version of the standard carries the same ID and a new version number |
|
C |
Major changes that necessitate the registration of a replacement standard with a new ID |
|
D |
Standard will expire and not be replaced |
Service Sector > Lifting Equipment > Industrial Rope Access
|
ID |
Title |
Level |
Credit |
Review Category |
|
19358
|
Demonstrate knowledge of legislative requirements for the industrial rope access industry |
3
|
3
|
D
|
|
19360 |
Plan and prepare for basic industrial rope access work |
3 |
3 |
D |
|
19361 |
Set up and dismantle basic industrial rope access systems |
3 |
14 |
D |
|
19362 |
Prepare and use industrial rope access systems |
3 |
14 |
D |
|
19363 |
Carry out simple patient recovery by rope techniques |
3 |
15 |
D |
|
19364 |
Identify and apply industrial rope access legislation and standards |
4 |
8 |
D |
|
19366 |
Plan and prepare for advanced industrial rope access work |
4 |
15 |
D |
|
19467 |
Set up, alter, and dismantle industrial rope access systems |
4 |
15 |
D |
|
19368 |
Operate advanced industrial rope access systems |
4 |
15 |
D |
|
19369 |
Carry out advanced patient recovery techniques using industrial rope access systems |
4 |
20 |
D |
|
28898 |
Prepare, install, inspect, use and dismantle basic industrial rope access systems |
3 |
20 |
D |
|
31854 |
Set up and operate rope access haulage systems |
4 |
5 |
D |
|
32195 |
Prepare and use documentation for advanced industrial rope access work |
5 |
15 |
D |
|
32196 |
Design and obtain engineer certification for rope access work |
5 |
10 |
D |
|
32197 |
Manage the selection and certification of anchors for rope access work |
5 |
10 |
D |
|
32198 |
Design cableway systems for vertical, semi-vertical, and horizontal loads |
5 |
10 |
D |
|
32199 |
Design, construct and operate heavy hauling systems for simple, compound, and complex lifts |
5 |
10 |
D |
|
41185 |
Operate as a basic level industrial rope access technician |
3 |
5 |
New |
|
41191 |
Operate as an intermediate level industrial rope access technician |
4 |
5 |
New |
|
41192 |
Install anchor systems for industrial rope access |
5 |
5 |
New |
|
41193 |
Calculate and assess industrial rope haulage using rigging theory |
5 |
5 |
New |
|
41194 |
Manage industrial rope access safety, risk, and compliance |
5 |
5 |
New |
|
41195 |
Certify compliance of height safety equipment |
4 |
5 |
New |
|
41196 |
Perform high-angle casualty stabilisation rope access rescue |
4 |
5 |
New |
|
41197 |
Operate as an advanced level industrial rope access technician |
5 |
8 |
New |