subject: Rope Access - What Is It? [print this page] Rope Access is an effective mode of safely working at height or in difficult to access locations. Recreational abseiling techniques have been adapted and developed over time to provide safe systems of work that is now employed for industrial, construction and maintenance purposes across a variety of industries and sectors.
A number of associations and societies have been created to develop (and where possible regulate) safe standards of rope access operations, two of the best known of which are the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA), and the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT). Both are widely recognised internationally, although SPRAT is probably most prevalent throughout North America, with IRATA being the most dominant throughout Europe.
SPRAT defines rope access as referring to a set of techniques where ropes and specialized hardware are used as the primary means of providing access and support to workers. Generally a two-rope system is employed: the working rope supports the worker and the safety rope provides back-up fall protection.
IRATA defines their Industrial rope access systems as a safe method of working at height where ropes and associated equipment are used to gain access to and from the work place, and to be supported there.
Although the specific training practices for rope access technicians set out by SPRAT and IRATA, and the finer details of their guidelines for safe working practices in rope access differ to a certain extent, the fundamental principles of safe rope access operations that are set out by both are the same. Amongst the most important of these principles are that rope access technicians must be suitably trained in both access and rescue, that they must not operate on their own but as part of a team, that suitable specialised rope access equipment is employed, and that that all rope access is carried out from two independently rigged lines, one of which is the working line, upon which the rope access technician is supported and allows upward and downward movement, and the other is the backup line, in place as a fail safe fall protection line.
The benefits of Rope Access as a mode of access are multiple. The combination of specialist training and the use of specific techniques and specialised equipment for rope access allows safe, efficient, cost-effective and versatile solutions to work at height and difficult access problems.
Rope Access is Safe. Rope Access technicians are independently trained and certified. Rope access techniques are based on caving and climbing techniques that were developed into a safe system of access for industrial purposes as far back as the 1970's. The evolution of technique and equipment since then has led to the lowest incidence of accidents in the whole access sector.
Rope Access is Efficient. Installation and the removal of rope access systems is quicker, and less disruptive than other access methods, and generally access can be gained to the work zone quicker, enabling faster completion
Rope Access is Cost Effective. Less personnel requirements, less equipment and minimal downtime, are all factors which make rope access more cost effective than the majority of alternatives.
Rope Access is Versatile. Rope access systems can be adapted to safely provide solutions to a wide variety of work at height, vertical or difficult access scenarios.
