How To Use This Book

Whether you are an aspiring rope access technician, a technical safety manager, or an executive with workers at height, the information in this book will help you to be safer, more efficient, and better equipped to do your job.

Executives and safety managers will find this text a useful reference in establishing, overseeing, and maintaining a rope access program, focusing perhaps on Sections 1 and 3, while trainers and practitioners will find it beneficial as a training aid, with emphasis on Sections 1 and 2. While no textbook can ever be a replacement for hands-on, practical experience, this book provides supportive text to augment the training and continuous skills development of rope access technicians and others involved in the rope access safety chain.

Some users of this book will choose to read it cover-to-cover, while others may pick and choose chapters according to their respective needs. The book is organized into chapters, each of which addresses a particular area of rope access. While each chapter stands alone in the area of its content, concepts in some chapters do build and expand upon concepts introduced in other chapters.

For ease of reference, the 23 chapters are grouped into three different sections. Each of the three sections contains related topics.

SECTION 1 - PLANNING FOR ROPE ACCESS

This section is a must-read for Safety Professionals, Regulatory Authorities, and Supervisory Managers. It provides an overview of rope access as a work method, describes rope access within the context of a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program, and provides guidance toward developing the rope access program. It contains five chapters:

CH 1 What Rope Access Is. and Isn't!

This chapter provides some historical context for rope access, differentiating it from other suspended rope methods and recreational uses of ropes. Reading this chapter will provide a greater understanding of where rope access concepts have originated, and an informed outlook toward the future.

CH 2 Rope Access and Your Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Plan

Here we will explore how rope access fits into the Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Plan, and further develop understanding of the differences between Rope Access and the conventional fall protection methods of Fall Arrest, Positioning, and Restraint.

CH 3 Personnel

In Chapter 3, the human element of rope access is explored, including a review of aptitude, abilities, training, certification, and how to help technicians maintain skills over time. The personnel side of selection and composition of work teams is also addressed, along with team organization and leadership.

CH 4 Equipment for Rigging

In this chapter, we explore the equipment that comprises the systems that rope access technicians use: Artificial Anchors, Rope, Slings and Webbing, Hardware (connectors, rope adjusters, etc.), and more. This encompasses the equipment usually provided by the jobsite or employer for use by a group or team of rope access technicians.

CH 5 Personal Equipment

This chapter provides an overview of personal equipment for rope access, including those items that would be considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It also provides descriptions of each component's use. This includes equipment that is often based on the preference of an individual rope access technician, and that will most often be a part of his personal kit. Selection of equipment is addressed, and PPE for rope access is contrasted with PPE used for other purposes.

SECTION 2 SKILLS FOR THE ROPE ACCESS TECHNICIAN

Having established an understanding of regulations and equipment in Section 1, Section 2 delves into how the equipment is used in the field. Section 2 is a must-read for technicians, as it provides a basis for understanding skills and techniques that are best learned through hands-on training. Administrators and Supervisors will also find this section useful for gaining insight into the safe practices used by the technicians within their area of work.

CH 6 Rigging Concepts

Chapter 6 expands our understanding of the equipment by introducing the factors that affect equipment once it is rigged. Basic concepts of forces and friction are presented, and tips are provided for maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the rigging within rope-based systems.

CH 7 Terminations and Anchorages

Appropriately terminating ropes is foundational to every rope access system, as is the implementation within a rope access system of safe, effective anchorages. Because these topics are such an important part of the system, an entire chapter is dedicated to the understanding of termination types and limitations, anchorage terminology, and the types and uses of anchorages.

CH 8 Rope Access Systems

This chapter draws together the information in previous chapters to provide an understanding of how everything fits together as a system for rope access. It offers general guidelines for rigging the basic systems used for moving up and down, and working while being suspended from ropes. A solid understanding of equipment, forces, and rigging concepts is essential to using this chapter effectively.

CH 9 Descending

Chapter 9 begins the foray into the methods that a rope access technician uses as part of their daily work. This chapter discusses important rigging tips for descending systems, methods for managing equipment while descending, negotiating edges, maintaining control, and negotiating basic obstacles including knots, deviations, and re-anchors.

CH 10 Ascending

A companion chapter to Chapter 9, and embracing the idea that any technician who is able to descend down a rope should also be capable of ascending, here the concept of using equipment to ascend a rope is introduced. Rigging tips, equipment management, and special circumstances are all addressed, this time within the context of moving up rather than down.

CH 11 Advanced Techniques

Although much of rope access involves simple up and down movement, the fundamental principle behind the safety of the rope access technician depends upon the ability to perform more advanced techniques when necessary. This includes the safe use of horizontal traverse, lead climbing, aid climbing, twin lanyard climbing, highlines, and guideline systems.

CH 12 Powered Devices

In recent years, the efficiency and safety of rope access has been enhanced through the introduction of powered devices for rope access. Powered devices are not a replacement for skills and training in manual rope access techniques, but rather a tool to assist the technician reduce fatigue and increase efficiency.

CH 13 Rescue

Rope access technicians are capable of safely accessing some of the most remote and otherwise inaccessible work-at-height locations. In fact, rope access technicians are often able to get to locations that professional rescuers are not adequately prepared to reach! For this reason, the ability to perform self-rescue as well as coworker-assisted rescue is a mandatory requirement for all rope access workers. This chapter delves into some detail on this subject.

SECTION 3 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

The third and final section of the book is designed to guide the safety manager and/or rope access supervisor through the process of effectively administering a rope access program. Each chapter delves into a different planning tool, some of which are applicable program-wide while others are job-specific. These chapters provide step-by-step guidance to assist administrators through the planning process. Field technicians should also be aware of this information so that they better understand the resources available to them, and how to reference essential job information.

CH 14 Management and Planning for Rope Access

In this chapter, the reader will be reminded of the framework necessary for an effective rope access program and how to establish and adhere to basic principles for a rope access program.

CH 15 Policy Statement (Document Guide)

The employer's policy statement forms the foundation for the comprehensively managed fall protection program, setting the tone for the overall approach to work at height. This chapter will help guide the employer in writing a policy statement.

CH 16 Work Orders (Document Guide)

A work order may be used to help define the scope of work between an organization and a contractor, or between departments within an organization. This chapter provides guidance toward the effective writing and use of work orders.

CH 17 Rope Access Work Plan (Document Guide)

Also sometimes called a "Rope Access Permit," the work plan outlines specific details regarding how a rope access job will be performed, what methods and equipment will be used, personnel responsibilities, and other essential information. This chapter offers insight and assistance toward developing such a document.

CH 18 Job Hazard Analysis (Document Guide)

Where conditions or circumstances exist that might expose a worker to potential hazards in the workplace, a job hazard analysis should be performed to identify and seek mitigation of foreseeable hazards. While not specific to rope access, a JHA is essential in any work at height program. A process for approaching and writing a JHA is offered in this chapter.

CH 19 Fall Hazard Survey (Document Guide)

Every fall protection program begins with a fall hazard survey. While the mission of the...