Industrial Rope Access -
Best Practices & Industry Standards Jan Atwell
Holan Skala Inc. PDF
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OVERVIEW
Employers in many fields are finding that industrial
rope access can prove to be faster, less expensive, more versatile, and safer
than traditional work access methods. 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.
Facility managers have found rope access to
be exceptionally cost-effective compared to conventional methods of access like
scaffolding. In many cases, the inspection can be done more thoroughly and effectively
without the obstructions commonly presented by scaffolding. Furthermore, properly
trained and certified rope access technicians uphold an exceptional safety record
compared to nearly all other industrial occupations.
Savings of fifty percent or more are not uncommon
when a facility chooses to employ technicians trained in rope access instead
of using conventional methods of access. Cost savings are attributed to shorter
facility shut downs, fewer personnel required for shorter duration, and lower
equipment costs.
The following is a brief overview of what we
have learned in over a decade of helping employers create programs that leverage
the benefits of rope access, ensure jobsite safety, and minimize liability exposure.
ROPE ACCESS DEFINED
Rope Access is defined by the use of ropes and
specialized hardware as the primary means of access and support for workers.
Rope access technicians descend, ascend, and
traverse ropes for access and work while suspended by a harness or a work seat.
The support of the rope should eliminate the likelihood of a fall altogether.
Rope access workers use a back-up fall arrest system in the unlikely failure
of their primary means of support. This redundant system is usually achieved
by using two ropes - a working line and a safety line.
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS
Rope access is relatively new in the regulatory
environment in North America. While a few federal OSHA interpretation letters
exist outlining some basic rope access parameters, most specific legislation
has been adopted by California in the US and Alberta in Canada. New York City
has recently drafted some similar requirements. Several states and provinces
are following suit. All of these laws either directly or indirectly reference
industry consensus standards.
In North America, the Society of Professional
Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT), based in Philadelphia has created industry-consensus
standards called Safe Practices for Rope Access Work and Certification Requirements
for Rope Access Work. The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA),
based in the United Kingdom publishes similar documents. The goals of these
organizations are to create industry standards for rope access and serve as
a resource for those engaged in rope access work. Skala is an active member
of both organizations and trains technicians to both standards.
THE ROPE ACCESS PROGRAM
A rope access program must be built as an integrated
system. The safety and efficiency of industrial rope access operations depend
on an organization's commitment to successfully integrate four key components:
- management systems
- training systems
- equipment management systems
- qualified supervision
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An appropriate written operating procedure outlining
the management system for training, equipping, and supervising rope access operations
is the first component. Safe Practices for Rope Access Work, published by SPRAT
and International Guidelines on the Use of Rope Access Methods for Industrial
Purposes, published by IRATA is a good place to start. These are general guidelines.
A company's written procedure should take into account the unique operating
environment, client requirements, and local legislation. Many companies hire
a consultant that has experience writing rope access procedures. A company using
rope access should designate a Rope Access Program Manager to implement and
maintain the rope access management systems.
TRAINING SYSTEM
Industry standards give performance and training
criteria for employees performing rope access work. The certification system
is divided into three levels. A specified amount of rope access experience is
required to progress to the next level, and candidates generally receive about
32-40 hours of training to meet the performance criteria prior to their evaluation
at each level. Following this training candidates are evaluated through a written
exam and a field practical.
Level I Technicians (Authorized Workers) are
qualified to work under appropriate supervision and must be able to inspect
their equipment and safety systems.
Level II Technicians (Lead Technicians) have
documented work experience and are qualified to rig more complicated systems
and trained to perform a wider range of rescue techniques.
Level III Technicians (Safety Supervisors)
have more documented experience and training and are responsible for the safety
management of the job.
EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
An Equipment Manager is usually designated to
maintain the equipment management system.Each
piece of safety equipment is given a unique identifier and inspected before
being placed into service. This unique identifier allows the equipment to be
traced back to its date in service and inspection record. While each technician
inspects his or her own equipment on a daily basis, periodic inspections (usually
twice annually) are conducted and documented by the Equipment Manager.
Each piece of equipment must be compatible with
the other components of the system. Without specific testing, compatibility
isn't always obvious, especially when gear is used outside of the manufacturer's
original intended purpose. Testing conducted by Ropeworks and its partners has
shown that some equipment is especially sensitive to variations in rope structure
and diameter, for example. The best way to make sure that your equipment is
compatible is to test it yourself, get advice from a knowledgeable dealer, and/or
seek independent testing data.
ROPE ACCESS SUPERVISION
Proper supervision is essential to the rope
access safety management system. A certified Rope Access Supervisor (level III)
is actually required on every rope access project site in order to maintain
compliance with the SPRAT and IRATA systems. Ultimately, a properly qualified
and certified Rope Access Supervisor, with the support of company management,
should be able to identify and correct any gaps in the management systems, staff
training, and equipment protocols to insure safe operations.
JOB PLANNING
Once the rope access system is in place, every
job requires a specific safety plan or job hazard analysis (JHA) and rescue
plan that should be prepared before beginning the job. A thorough plan includes:
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- Details and contacts related to the work
site
- Staff training and emergency contact information
- Communication methods
- Description of the work to be done, steps
and tools needed, and the associated hazards
- Environmental hazards and methods to mitigate
those hazards
- Detailed rescue plan, rescue equipment, and
emergency services contact information.
The details of the safety and rescue plans are
fine-tuned by the Rope Access Supervisor at the job-site. The Supervisors must
conduct a safety meeting with all members of the team prior to beginning every
job and usually on a daily basis thereafter. New employees are given a site
safety orientation prior to beginning work. All members of the team must sign
that they have been briefed on the safety plan. Because rope access technicians
work in difficult access locations, certified rope access professionals are
trained to rescue their work-mates and get them to an area where definitive
medical attention can be administered.
SUMMARY
In summary with strong management, training,
equipment, and supervision systems, employers will find that industrial rope
access delivers results unattainable by conventional means. Clients benefits
with increased productivity, less facility downtime, fewer lost time incidents,
and, in many cases, access to previously inaccessible areas.
REFERENCES
1. Holan, Jan & Steven Beason, "Rope Access
Equipment Testing", Proceedings of the International Technical Rescue Symposium,
2002 available at www.ropeworks.com
2. Safe Practices for Rope Access Work and Certification
Requirements for Rope Access Work, .Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians
(SPRAT), Philadelphia, USA 2007
3. International Guidelines on the Use of Rope
Access Methods for Industrial Purposes, Industrial Rope Access Trade Association,
United Kingdom, 2005 4. "Subchapter 7. Group 1. General Physical Conditions
and Structures Article 4. Access, Work Space, and Work Areas §3270.1. Use of
Rope Access Equipment." General Industry Safety Orders, California Department
of Industrial Relations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Skala Inc: +1.775.747.2244,
mail@teamskala.com, www.skalagroup.com