Rope access

Rope access is a form of work positioning, initially developed from techniques used in climbing and caving, which applies practical ropework to allow workers to access difficult-to-reach locations without the use of scaffolding, cradles or mobile elevated work platforms MEWPs. Rope access technicians descend, ascend, and traverse ropes for access and work while suspended by a harness or a work seat. The support of the rope should eliminate the likelihood of a fall altogether. Rope access workers use a back-up fall arrest system in the unlikely failure of their primary means of support. This redundant system is usually achieved by using two ropes - a working line and a safety line.[1]

The most common applications for modern rope access include inspection, surveying, maintenance, and construction on bridges, dams, wind turbines, towers, buildings, geologic slopes, and industrial plants. While inspection is the most common application, welding, cutting and heavy material handling can be accomplished by rope access professionals using specialized procedures. The industry is characterised by rigorous adherence to the several key safety characteristics which include such criteria as:

This approach has meant very few accidents since the beginning of this activity around 1980s.

Typical Applications

Typical applications include:

References

  1. ^ Industrial Rope Access, Best Practices & Industry Standards, Jan Holan

http://www.irata.org/publications.htm IRATA International Code Of Practice

External links