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 an aerial work platform. Rope access technicians descend, ascend, and traverse ropes for access and work while suspended by their harness. Some times a work seat may be used. The support of the rope is intended to eliminate the likelihood of a fall altogether. Rope access technicians use a back-up fall arrest system for the unlikely failure of their primary means of support. This redundancy system is usually achieved by using two ropes - a working line and a safety line.

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.

Typical applications include:

• Inspection, painting and construction on offshore oil platforms and power plants.
• Inspection, surveying, maintenance on wind turbines.
• Inspection, surveying, maintenance, and construction on bridges and dams.
• Window cleaning, repair and aircraft warning light maintenance on high-rise buildings.
• Maintenance on aerials, telecommunication and electrical transmission towers (pylons).
• Construction assist on stadiums, spires, and other unique shape structures.
• Geologic slopes.
• Inspection, documentation and access to large building facades.
• Events rigging and instillations such as banners, flags lighting and fireworks.