Professional Rope Access

Notes on Contributors xiii Foreword xix Your Success xxiii Preface xxv How to use this book xxvii Section 1 | Planning for Rope Access 1 Chapter 1 | What Is Rope Access? 3 1-1 Introduction 3 Why Choose Rope Access? 4 1-2 Foundation and Evolution of Rope Access 6 The Modern Rope Access System 6 Skills Required for Modern Rope Access Workers 7 1-3 Rope Access Compared/Contrasted with Other Disciplines 8 Rope Access Contrasted with Recreational Rappelling 8 Rope Access Contrasted with Controlled Descent 9 Rope Access Contrasted with Rope Descent Techniques 11 Rope Access Contrasted with Bosun's Chairs 11 Rope Access Backup Contrasted with Other Backup Systems 14 WhereModern Rope Access Has Landed - The Bus You Take to Work 14 1-4 Compatibility and Work Safety 15 Fall Restraint 15 Fall Arrest 15 Fall Containment Systems 17 Suspended Scaffolds 17 Aerial Platforms and Man Baskets 17 1-5 Special Techniques 18 Aid Climbing 18 Lead Climbing 19 1-6 Practical Application of Rope Access 19 1-7 Summary 20 Chapter 2 | Rope Access and the Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Plan 21 2-1 Protecting Workers at Height 21 2-2 Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection 22 Policy Statement 22 Staff Responsibilities 23 Fall Hazard Survey 25 2-3 Hierarchy of Fall Protection 26 Types of Active Protection - Harness-Based Solutions 27 Choosing a System of Protection 28 2-4 Rope Access Work Plan 29 System Requirements 30 Safety in Rope Access Operations 31 Work Practices 32 2-5 Summary 34 Chapter 3 | Personnel Selection and Training 35 3-1 Introduction 35 3-2 Personnel Qualifications 35 Aptitude for Rope Access 37 3-3 Team Organization and Competencies 38 Technician Skills and Responsibilities 38 Supervisor Skills and Responsibilities 39 Program Manager Skills and Responsibilities 40 3-4 Training and Certification 40 Training Records 41 Training Outline 41 Advanced Levels of Certification 45 Rope Access Certification Bodies 46 3-5 Summary 47 Chapter 4 | Equipment for Rigging 49 4-1 Equipment for Rigging Rope Access Systems 49 4-2 How to Choose Equipment for Rigging in Life Safety Situations 50 4-3 The Difference Between Personal Equipment and Rigging Equipment 52 4-4 Rigging Equipment for Fall Arrest 52 4-5 Rigging Equipment for Cranes Versus Rigging Used in Rope Access 53 4-6 Rigging Equipment for Suspended Scaffolds 54 4-7 Rigging Equipment for Rescue 54 4-8 Rope 55 4-9 Connectors 59 4-10 Hardware 63 4-11 Mechanical Anchorage Connectors 65 4-12 Anchor Slings 67 4-13 Summary 69 Chapter 5 | Personal Equipment for Rope Access 71 5-1 Introduction 71 5-2 Essential Requirements 72 5-3 Harnesses 74 5-4 A Note About Comfort Seats (Seatboards) 76 5-5 Helmets 77 5-6 Lanyards 78 5-7 Connectors 79 5-8 Descending Devices 80 5-9 Rope Access Backup Devices 84 5-10 Ascenders 86 5-11 Gloves 88 5-12 Clothing and Personal Wear 89 5-13 OTHER PPE 89 5-14 Equipment Traceability and Recordkeeping 89 5-15 Summary 90 Section 2 | Skills for the Rope Access Technician 91 Chapter 6 | Rigging Concepts 93 6-1 Principles at Work in a System 94 Gravity 94 Friction 94 Angles 96 Vector Forces 99 6-2 Using the Principles 107 Mechanical Advantage 107 Load Ratios 111 Safety Factors 112 6-3 Summary 114 Chapter 7 | Rope Terminations and Anchorages 115 7-1 Rope and Knot Terminology 116 7-2 Rope Terminations 118 7-3 Manufactured Terminations 118 7-4 Knots 119 Stopper Knots 119 End-of-Line Knots 120 Midline Knots 124 Knots (Bends) That Join Two Ropes 125 Knot Safety 127 Hitches 128 7-5 Knots and Rope Strength 132 7-6 Anchorages 132 Classifications of Anchorages 133 Anchorage System Performance 134 Positioning the Anchorage System 135 Back-Ties 136 Direct Attachment 136 Load Sharing Anchor Systems 138 Angles in Anchor Systems 141 Change of Direction 142 7-7 Summary 143 Chapter 8 | Rope Access Systems 145 8-1 Compatibility 149 8-2 Access System 149 8-3 Backup System 151 8-4 Attachment to Technician's Harness 152 8-5 Pull-through Systems 153 Pull-Through with Ground Anchor 153 Top Anchor Pull-Through with Knot 153 8-6 Changing the Fall Line 155 Directional Deviation 155 Rebelay (Re-anchor) Systems 156 Well-Being of the Technician 157 8-7 Summary 159 Chapter 9 | Descending 161 9-1 Introduction 161 9-2 Choosing a Descender 162 9-3 Choosing a Rope for Descent 164 9-4 Rigging for Descent 165 9-5 Getting on Rope 167 9-6 Managing the Descent 168 9-7 Tending the Backup Device 170 9-8 Passing a Knot 170 9-9 Passing a Deviation Anchor 173 9-10 Passing a Rebelay 174 9-11 Landing 177 9-12 Summary 178 Chapter 10 | Ascending 179 10-1 Selecting Ascenders 180 Handled Ascenders 180 Chest Ascender 181 10-2 The Complete Ascending System 181 Rigging the Chest Ascender 182 Rigging the Handled Ascender 184 10-3 Managing the Ascent 184 10-4 Changeovers 186 Changeover from Ascending System to Descending System 187 Using a Descender for Ascent 187 Rope-to-Rope Transfer 188 Passing a Knot in the Ropes While on Ascent 189 Negotiating an Edge or Obstruction While on Ascent 190 Passing a Deviation 191 Passing a Re-anchor (Rebelay) on Ascent 192 Transitioning Off Rope from Ascent, Onto a Platform 196 10-5 Summary 196 Chapter 11 | Advanced Techniques 197 11-1 Belays 198 11-2 Aid Climbing 201 11-3 Lead Climbing 203 11-4 Climbing with Twin Lanyards 206 11-5 Raising and Lowering Systems 207 11-6 Systems for Lowering 208 11-7 Systems for Raising 209 11-8 Cross-haul 211 11-9 Tensioned Ropes 212 11-10 Multiple Simultaneous Systems 214 11-11 Powered Assist Systems 214 11-12 Summary 215 Chapter 12 | Use of Powered Rope Access Devices 217 12-1 Precautions 217 12-2 Configuring the Device into the System 219 12-3 Configuration 1 (Sit on Top) 221 12-4 Configuration (Suspend Beneath) 223 12-5 Using the Device from a Fixed Position 224 12-6 Additional Considerations 226 12-7 Care and Maintenance 226 12-8 Summary 227 Chapter 13 | Rescue 229 13-1 Rope Access and Rescue 229 13-2 The Rescue Preplan 232 13-3 Self-Rescue 233 13-4 Coworker-Assisted Rescue 235 13-5 Noncommittal Rescue and Prerigging for Rescue 236 13-6 Co-Worker Assisted Rescue from Descent 238 13-7 Rescue from Ascent 240 13-8 Challenging Rescues 241 13-9 Standby Rescue 242 13-10 Professional Versus Coworker-Assisted Rescue 243 13-11 Conclusion 244 Section 3 | Program Administration 245 Chapter 14 | Developing a Rope Access Plan 247 14-1 Working Safely at Heights 248 Harness-Based Works 248 Fall Arrest 250 Work Positioning 250 Rope Access 251 14-2 Necessary Elements of a Rope Access Program 251 Rescue 251 One Rope or Two? 252 Avoid the Fall 253 Team Works 253 Team Documentation 254 14-3 Work in a System 254 Supervisor 255 SuitableManagement 255 Summary 256 Chapter 15 | Developing a Policy Statement 257 15-1 Questions to Consider 257 15-2 Putting it all Together 262 15-3 Congratulations! 263 Chapter 16 | Writing a Work Order 265 Summary 268 Chapter 17 | Establishing a Work Plan 269 17-1 Summary 273 Chapter 18 | Performing a Job Hazard Analysis 275 18-1 The Process 275 18-2 Content 276 18-3 Using the JHA 278 18-4 Summary 279 Chapter 19 | Fall Hazard Survey/Assessment 281 19-1 Conducting the Survey 281 19-2 Survey Contents 283 19-3 Using the Survey 283 19-4 Fall Hazard Mitigation 284 19-5 Summary 284 Chapter 20 | Creating a Rescue Preplan 287 20-1 Emergency Response Planning 287 20-2 Fall Rescue Planning 289 20-3 Coordination with External Resources 293 20-4 Summary 293 Chapter 21 | Training Records 295 21-1 Certification Records 295 21-2 Technician Records 296 21-3 Employer Records 297 21-4 Program Administrator Training 298 Chapter 22 | Equipment Inspection and Care 301 22-1 Specifying Equipment 301 22-2 Placing Equipment into Service 302 22-3 Equipment Inspection 302 22-4 Cleaning 303 22-5 Retirement 304 Chapter 23 | Rope Access Program Audit 307 23-1 Components of an Audit 307 23-2 Management 308 23-3 Practices 309 23-4 Equipment Management 311 23-5 Recordkeeping 312 23-6 Summary 312 Knowledge Check 313 Glossary 339 Index 343