Safety Myths About Rope Access
Wayne Brooks
Director
Rope access is one of the safest ways to carry out high access maintenance and repairs in the industry.
The problem is, there are a lot of safety myths about rope access. While it may appear that rope access is dangerous, it’s completely safe. These are a few things that may help clear up the safety myths.
It’s Not Just A Rope
Many people may see just a rope, but it is more than that. They are using specialised rope, to start with.
Secondly, the technicians are attached to two different ropes. Each of those ropes is independently anchored to the building. What this means is, should one anchor come loose, they are still anchored in with a secondary one.
There is never just one technician on a building. The rope technicians work in teams and have the ability to assist each other in the event of an incident.
All of their tools are attached to them. This way, there’s no chance of losing a tool and hurting someone down below, either. This is actually far safer than scaffolding from this stand point.
The Technicians Undergo IRATA Rope Access Training
IRATA, the International Rope Access Trade Association was formed over 20 years ago as a way of certifying rope access technicians. Prior to that, they would simply use the same skill set as those that climb or cave. While the concept is similar, IRATA has three levels of certified training. This helps to make sure that each and every technician that takes to the ropes knows how to handle themselves when they are working at height.
There is an Exemplary Safety Record
Everyone that is descending on the ropes anchored off of a building has gone through a lot of training to get to where they are and they are certified as skilled rope access abseilers by IRATA; Rope Access has an enviable safety record; in fact, statistically, it truly is the safest way to carry out high access work because of the training and safety precautions in place.
The safety reports are enough to speak volumes about how safe it is. There is virtually no equipment and the technicians work in teams so that the entire environment is focused on nothing but safety. This includes not just safety for the individuals on the ropes but the people in the general surroundings as well.
You state that in the 10 years that IRATA has been in existance that no fatalities have been within rope access. Not true especially with the Brent incident. Ther have been fatalities all around the world with rope access.
Don’t just highlight one area look at the big picture
Regards
Alex
Hi Alex. When I state facts about rope access they are only relevant to I.R.A.T.A trained and certified rope access technicians. We work according to I.R.A.T.A guidelines and standards. To be honest in my opinion if you are not I.R.A.T.A trained and qualified then you shouldn’t even be on the ropes and I dare to say I don’t think you should even call yourself a rope access technician. I cant speak for every unemployed mountain climber that wants to make a quick buck nor for untrained and unskilled abseilers who think because they have been over a cliff they are now qualified to do industrial rope access. So yes there will always be a dope on a rope or a monkey that can climb but they are not I.R.A.T.A members and are not even recognised in the industry. I am talking about highly trained and qualified industrial rope access technicians. Not the desperate, uneducated, unemployed but brave people that end up on ropes trying to make a days pay that are been used and abused by cowboy companies. As far as the sad and first I.R.A.T.A fatality in all these years regarding Lee Bertram on the Brent Charlie it is still under investigation and yet to be established what went wrong. When the report is complete it will be made public on the I.R.A.T.A website which is a public site for yourself or anyone ells to access. All near misses and accidents are published on the site and advice and guidelines are given on how to avoid these situations. It is a proven fact that rope access is safer than any other form of access at heights eg: scaffolding, swing cradles, ladders etc. Go Google how many fatalities have occurred from scaffolding, swing cradles and ladders. Not only to the operatives but to the general public and other workers below and around them. Anyway Alex thanks for your comment you have just proven how important it is to educate people like yourselves and have made this whole blog worth wile. I hope you have learnt something and will research your facts properly. There is absolutely no way that anyone could doubt that rope access has a higher and by far better safety record than scaffolding, swing cradles and ladders. I challenge you to go do your homework properly and come back with a researched, factual, sensible reply.
Personally I think there are three names in the industry that any legit company will be associated with. I.R.A.T.A Rig Access and Rope Sure. You can find out everything about rope access and the statistics through these 3 main companies and you can link straight onto them on my front page. If its not on there sites then its not legit. I am just promoting a safer way to access high and hard to reach areas. This is not about promoting my company. Its already doing great. This is about showing people how work can be done safer and more cost effectively. This is about making sure the client makes the right choice and gets what they deserve.