Industrial Rope Access - Why use Industrial Rope Access and is
it safe?
by Joe Gibb
Industrial rope access techniques offer a comprehensive range of
work at height solutions for tasks in difficult access areas,
ranging from cleaning to construction and rope access services
carried out by industrial rope access technicians can range from
building maintenance and window cleaning to painting and lifting
and rigging and more.
The benefits of using Industrial rope access are numerous, for
example, the time taken to install access systems is minimal,
especially when compared to alternative solutions such as
scaffolding. There is minimal impact on structures and
surroundings including traffic flow and pedestrian access when
using industrial rope access. Industrial rope access uses
extremely safe codes of practice (it has the best safety record
in the field of difficult access). IRATA is recognised worldwide
as the industry standard for industrial rope access, and work
can safely be carried out at any height in almost any situation
safely and efficiently.
Industrial rope access, when carried out properly is also very
safe. Rope access techniques are based on climbing and caving
techniques that were developed into a safe system of access for
industrial purposes as far back as the 1970's, and the constant
evolution of technique and equipment since then has led to the
lowest incidence of accidents in the whole of the access sector.
As a rule, all Industrial rope access works
should be conducted under close supervision by suitably
qualified senior personnel, and the teams should be provided
with a full risk assessment and method statement for each job
detailing particular considerations for each individual
situation. In this way it can be ensured that the workplace and
workers in industrial rope access situations are absolutely
safe.
In the UK, all aspects of work at height must be carried out in
line with British Standard BS7985 (2002) and the Work at Height
regulations (2005). Guidelines are provided by the Industrial Rope Access
Trade Association (IRATA), which is recognised worldwide as the
industry standard.
AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING AN ALLIANCE
BETWEEN
THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
MANHATTAN AREA OFFICE, NEW YORK
AND
HI-ROPE CORPORATION, NEW YORK
