call us: 207-620-6169

email: info@axcessrescue.com

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competent climber

AxcessRescue offers NATE compliant industry specific telecom authorized and competent climber training. Our state of the art facilities in the NYC area, provide unparalleled opportunity for students to  climb towers, ladders, and other structure props providing training in the basic fundamentals of climbing and working safely and efficiently at height. In addition, basic and advanced rescue techniques are presented to provide for self and co-worker rescues.


Our courses exceed the NATE CTS Training Standard and we are a NATE member company. AxcessRescue Competent Climber programs are approved by general contractors and tower owners. In addition, AxcessRescue has been recognized by several major General Contractors including Bechtel and Black & Veatch as an approved training provider.

All AxcessRescue climber courses meet and exceed the following standards:

• ANSI Z490.1 adult training criteria in safety, health and environmental training

• ANSI A10.32 fall protection for construction

• ANSI A10.48

• Z359.2 standard minimum requirements for comprehensive managed fall protection programs

• NATE CTS standards

• OSHA regulations including 2017 Walking-Working Surfaces


We believe you will find our programs to be substantially improved over the current industry standard. Our courses are predominantly hands-on with an extensive variety of climbing and rescue scenarios presented in realistic settings, and incorporate new techniques. Students perform multiple skills and rescues and are given sufficient time to practice each skill prior to skill evaluations. In other words, you are performing the task, not just watching an instructor do it. We are unrivaled in student satisfaction.


Regarding Authorized Climber and Competent Climber terminology, as we follow the NATE CTS standards, a new, recent hire, or ground person who has less than 90 days of telecommunications tower climbing and work at height experience will be issued Authorized Climber certification and ID card. If the worker has employer documentation and verification that they have greater than 90 days of telecommunications tower climbing and work at height experience and the employer deems the worker Competent (has knowledge, experience, skills, and ability to recognize existing hazards and has authority to correct those hazards including stop work), we provide Competent Climber certification and ID card. As one can see, it is not prudent, nor ethical to issue Competent Climber certifications to those workers new to the telecommunications tower work environment. The Authorized Climber certification and ID card are acceptable to all major carriers, tower owners, and contractors.


Further regarding NATE: The NATE CTS outlines the minimum qualifications a first time climber should meet prior to climbing a tower (Authorized Climber). The next level of proficiency is defined as Competent Climber followed by Competent Rescuer. Although specific training can teach climbers important information, NATE remains steadfast in their belief that the experience received on the job cannot be accounted for in the classroom. Accordingly, NATE recommends that the employers of tower climbers be made aware that for advanced levels of training (Competent Climber and Competent Rescuer) a minimum of 90 days of work on a telecommunications tower should be required of anyone deemed to be trained above the Authorized Climber level. Additionally NATE states: Competent Climber applicants shall have as a prerequisite to Competent Climber training a minimum of 90 days, documented, full time, climbing experience as an Authorized Climber utilizing fall protection equipment.


Regulatory requirements (OSHA law) state that employees must be trained in fall protection and climbing safety BEFORE they are exposed to falls. This includes physical skills, not just classroom training. This means, and contractors require, a minimum of what is called Authorized Climber/Authorized Rescue (new person, now has basic training).


Competent Climber/Authorized Rescue is the 2nd step after the Authorized Climber/Authorized Rescue and the employee has greater than 90 days of climbing experience on telecommunications towers and are deemed competent by the employer (OSHA interpretation) meaning they have the skills, knowledge, and experience to determine unsafe conditions and have the authority given by the employer to stop work and correct the hazard(s), i.e., typically a supervisor/foreman, but not always.


The 2 day Authorized Climber/Authorized Rescue course is the same course as the 2 day Competent Climber/Authorized Rescue course. The difference is what the employer deems the person per OSHA definition.


Then there is the 3rd level which is an additional day, that is Competent Climber/Competent Rescuer which is a full day of rescue scenarios. Contractors are now requiring at least 1 climber on-site to have this certification.


All upgrade courses are 1 day. This means that an Authorized Climber/Authorized Rescue employee can become a Competent Climber/Authorized Rescue employee after a minimum of 90 days CLIMBING experience on telecommunications towers (not ground or office) and the employer deems them competent (see OSHA definition) and the 1 day upgrade/refresher course.


All courses require refresher every 2 years (1 day) and the rescue portion requires refresher every year (1 day).


For those employees that you want to have Competent Climber/Authorized Rescue or Competent Climber/Competent Rescue certification, we will need a letter on your business stationary (electronic is fine) that states:


The following climbers listed below have a minimum of 90 days climbing experience on telecommunications towers and that (employer name here) deems them competent to stop work for any unsafe conditions and they have the authority, skill, and knowledge to correct any hazardous condition at the work/job site.


1. Joe Climber

2. Steve Climber

3. Tom Climber


Name of employer representative

Company name

Company address

Company phone number


AxcessRescue training is physically demanding and requires a strong level of physical fitness. You will be required to climb and descend rope for the entire duration of the class and evaluation session. Prospective attendees that exceed 210 pounds or those that have physical fitness concerns should contact us prior to course registration. Attendees must be able to, at a minimum, squat and stand without assistance 10 times. Leg strength is required to continuously climb and to perform complex rope access maneuvers. All students are encouraged to see their doctor prior to starting any of our courses. Those with cardiac conditions, obesity, surgeries within the past 12 months, or other physical impairments are responsible to see their doctor prior to attempting an AxcessRescue course.  AxcessRescue is not and cannot be responsible for inability to complete a course or successfully pass an evaluation session, or for any condition arising from the exertion required to participate in a course. Course refunds due to inability to complete a course are not available. AxcessRescue is not and cannot be responsible for the failure to read this information in full. This disclaimer is not and cannot be fully inclusive of all potential reasons for attendees inability to complete a strenuous activity such as a rope access or tower climbing course.


Course attendees will be required to sign a waiver of liability prior to starting the course.