Patrick Hartigan

With over 25 years of expertise, Patrick Hartigan is a highly experienced rope access technician, manager, and HSE (health, safety, and environment) professional. His extensive background spans emergency response, project management, and health and safety leadership across the oil and gas, mining, and construction industries.

Patrick’s career includes hands-on experience with technical procedures, regulatory compliance, rescue planning, and the execution of complex safety protocols, including permit to work systems. He has developed strong relationships across all levels of the workforce, from field operatives to upper management and clients, ensuring projects meet the highest safety and performance standards in commercial, industrial, mining, and resource sectors.

Throughout his career, Patrick has played a key role in developing HSE procedures and fostering positive safety cultures. His dedication to safety excellence earned him a seat on the IRATA training committee from 2014 to 2016. As a rope access site manager, Patrick has overseen large teams, including managing 40 multi-trade technicians during the final stages of major projects like the Inpex NT power plant construction and commissioning. He served as the site subject matter expert (SME) for confined space and working at heights, delivering critical safety training to new staff.

Patrick’s expertise extends to rescue operations, where he led support teams at HMAS Coonawarra and HMAS Kuttabul for naval vessel fit-outs and repairs. He also pioneered the use of rope access in oil and gas facilities at the Karratha Gas Plant, supporting maintenance and training personnel on rescue and height safety from 2009 to 2012.

From 2017 to 2020, Patrick worked with national registered training organisations (RTOs), delivering working at heights, confined space, and rescue courses throughout Australia. As a technical authority and rope access manager, he has helped companies achieve and maintain IRATA operator and trainer membership. His IRATA training and instruction experience spans 15 years, having trained technicians across Australia and in Japan.

Driven by his passion for teaching, Patrick founded a training centre with the vision of creating an environment where people feel comfortable, can express themselves, and have fun while learning and growing together.