Pelorus
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I accidently came across an interesting outfit last evening called On Rope 1, based out of Tennessee. Some of you are likely familiar with it.
(have also sent them an email suggeting they check out AS re. becoming a possible sponsor)
Anyway, under their FAQ - Tech Tips, there is posted this interesting commentary on the whole subject of "certification" - what does being "certified" mean? I think what is discussed is applicable to the tree care industry, even though it was written for rope technicians.
“Are You Really Certified”?
Many folks toss the word “Certified” around like they truly understand it. Many folks ask to be “Certified” performers –doing things like attempting to be a “Certified Rappeller”, or a “Certified Rope Technician” or a “Certified Rescuer.”
Webster states it pretty clearly:
1. To attest as certain. give reliable information of; confirm.
2. To assure or inform with certainty.
3. To guarantee; endorse reliably.
4. To guarantee in writing.
5. To give assurance.
This clearly states that if someone is certified, someone guarantees that you will ALWAYS make the right decisions and do the right thing. Who will guarantee that you will always do the right thing? Answer: as I see it, No one with any sense! Being certified is a topic that needs addressing almost daily in our business. Someone wants someone else to guarantee they have good judgment.
Case in point: I got involved with a $13.5 million wrongful death lawsuit a few years ago. The “Certified Rope Technician” on the scene, with over 1000 hours of training, watched a worker fall to his death after attempting to help that worker who had fallen and was hanging by his dorsal attachment in his full body harness. The video of the scene showed that the rescuer never attempted any orthodox rescue technique taught, published or otherwise, that anyone would consider viable, during the 45 minutes he attempted to pull the man to safety.
So Who Can “Certify”?
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) says the only person who can give someone these credentials (in our world) is the person representing the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)--Typically your boss! This also means that if you move you may have to recertify all over again with a new boss. NFPA and other professional groups are very clear that your instructor cannot certify you. It must be a separate evaluating person or panel that determines someone’s skills.
This process needs to be repeated and verified at regular intervals to insure that someone’s skills are current. There are procedures like medical techniques or levels of medical proficiency, like CPR, that are certified, but even these need to be re-examined and re-certified annually.
Certification is not something that is available on any street corner. Actual Certification is really expensive. Ask companies who are ISO 9001 Certified or ask someone how much they pay for product liability insurance. The best that most people can do is receive a certificate (like a diploma) that states that at this moment in time you knew enough and demonstrated enough skill to receive this piece of paper that says you may have done it right “once”. In the end, I typically distrust people who routinely brag about their certifications or diplomas in their “Achievement File”. Actions, and the demonstration of competent skills, are more telling of someone’s ability than any piece of paper.
(have also sent them an email suggeting they check out AS re. becoming a possible sponsor)
Anyway, under their FAQ - Tech Tips, there is posted this interesting commentary on the whole subject of "certification" - what does being "certified" mean? I think what is discussed is applicable to the tree care industry, even though it was written for rope technicians.
“Are You Really Certified”?
Many folks toss the word “Certified” around like they truly understand it. Many folks ask to be “Certified” performers –doing things like attempting to be a “Certified Rappeller”, or a “Certified Rope Technician” or a “Certified Rescuer.”
Webster states it pretty clearly:
1. To attest as certain. give reliable information of; confirm.
2. To assure or inform with certainty.
3. To guarantee; endorse reliably.
4. To guarantee in writing.
5. To give assurance.
This clearly states that if someone is certified, someone guarantees that you will ALWAYS make the right decisions and do the right thing. Who will guarantee that you will always do the right thing? Answer: as I see it, No one with any sense! Being certified is a topic that needs addressing almost daily in our business. Someone wants someone else to guarantee they have good judgment.
Case in point: I got involved with a $13.5 million wrongful death lawsuit a few years ago. The “Certified Rope Technician” on the scene, with over 1000 hours of training, watched a worker fall to his death after attempting to help that worker who had fallen and was hanging by his dorsal attachment in his full body harness. The video of the scene showed that the rescuer never attempted any orthodox rescue technique taught, published or otherwise, that anyone would consider viable, during the 45 minutes he attempted to pull the man to safety.
So Who Can “Certify”?
The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) says the only person who can give someone these credentials (in our world) is the person representing the Agency Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)--Typically your boss! This also means that if you move you may have to recertify all over again with a new boss. NFPA and other professional groups are very clear that your instructor cannot certify you. It must be a separate evaluating person or panel that determines someone’s skills.
This process needs to be repeated and verified at regular intervals to insure that someone’s skills are current. There are procedures like medical techniques or levels of medical proficiency, like CPR, that are certified, but even these need to be re-examined and re-certified annually.
Certification is not something that is available on any street corner. Actual Certification is really expensive. Ask companies who are ISO 9001 Certified or ask someone how much they pay for product liability insurance. The best that most people can do is receive a certificate (like a diploma) that states that at this moment in time you knew enough and demonstrated enough skill to receive this piece of paper that says you may have done it right “once”. In the end, I typically distrust people who routinely brag about their certifications or diplomas in their “Achievement File”. Actions, and the demonstration of competent skills, are more telling of someone’s ability than any piece of paper.