safe practices for rope access work - Rescue Response Gear

SAFE PRACTICESFORROPE ACCESS WORKSociety of Professional Rope Access Technicians994 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 1019Wayne, PA 19087-1866www.sprat.org

© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 2January 15, 2007 edition

SAFE PRACTICES FORROPE ACCESS WORKINDEX1. Scope and Purpose2. Definitions3. General Requirements4. Employee Selection and Capabilities5. Duties and Responsibilities of Employers6. Duties and Responsibilities of the RopeAccess Program Manager7. Duties and Responsibilities of the RopeAccess Supervisor8. Duties and Responsibilities of the RopeAccess Lead Technician9. Duties and Responsibilities of the RopeAccess Worker10. Rope Access Equipment11. Communications Systems12. Use of Suspended Work Platforms inConjunction with Rope Access13. Tools and Work Equipment14. Rescue and Emergency Services15. Appendix1 SCOPE AND PURPOSE1.1 ScopeThis document sets forth accepted practicesfor rope access work. This document doesnot apply to emergency response oremergency response training, except asprovided in Section 14.1.2 PurposeThe purpose of this document is to provideinformation and guidance on acceptablepractices and procedures to protectemployees from the hazards associated withrope access work methods when working atheight. This document is written for allpersons concerned with rope access work,but especially for those primarily responsiblefor establishing and administering ropeaccess work methods. This documentcontains requirements recommended foruse by enforcement authorities inestablishing regulations or codes on ropeaccess work methods.1.3 “Shall” and “Should”The provisions are mandatory in naturewhere the word “Shall” is used and advisoryin nature where the word “should” is used.1.4 ExceptionsRegulatory agencies may haverequirements that are different from thisstandard.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 3January 15, 2007 edition

2 DEFINITIONSAccess Permit: A written statementprepared by the employer describing how aparticular job (or types of jobs where thesewill be essentially identical) should beundertaken to ensure any risks to health andsafety of the workers, or others who may beaffected, are minimized.Access Zone: The area in which people areat risk of falling such as on-line or near aworking edge. This area requires protectivemeasures such as verbal warnings, signs,barriers, safety lines, or other devicesdesigned to prevent or arrest a fall.Anchor, Anchorage: A place, fixing orfixture that supports and to which thevarious ropes and rope systems areattached.Approved Equipment: Equipment deemedappropriate for use with rope accesstechniques. Approved equipment shall meetthe specifications set forth herein, or otherspecifications set forth in the access permit,if more stringent.Ascender: A type of rope grab that is usedprimarily for climbing rope by griping therope when loaded in one direction andsliding freely in the opposite direction. Notethat many ascender type rope grabs are notsufficient for fall arrest.Attendant: An individual stationed at thesite of the rope access work who monitorsthe rope access workers and who performsall Rope Access Attendant duties assignedin the employer’s rope access workprogram.Belay: An active system operated byanother employee for the purpose ofarresting the fall of a rope access worker.Carabiner: A type of connector, formed as acomplete loop with a spring-loaded entrygate.Carabiner, Locking*: A carabiner with amechanism that reduces the possibility of agate being opened inadvertently. A lockingmechanism requires at least two differentconsecutive manual actions to open thegate.Descender: A device that acts as a frictionbrake on a rope. It is normally attached tothe operator and enables the operator tocontrol the rate of descent.Dynamic Rope: A rope that is specificallydesigned to absorb the energy of a fall byextending in length thereby minimizing theshock load.Employer: A corporation, partnership,proprietorship, government agency, or otherorganization that authorizes its employees toperform rope access work.Fall Arrest: Equipment, system, or structurethat catches a falling employee.Fall Factor: The maximum distance aperson could fall, divided by the length of therope attaching the person to the anchoragepoint.Fall Prevention: Equipment, system, orstructure that prevents a fall from occurring.Hazard Zone: Any area where a personmay be at risk as a result of the work beingperformed.Kernmantle Rope: A rope consisting of aninternal load-bearing core enclosed within aseparate woven sheath.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 4January 15, 2007 edition

Low Stretch Rope: Rope that has anelongation of 6% to 10% at 10% of minimumbreaking strength. See also Static Rope.Main Line: The primary rope used fordescending, ascending or positioning.Minimum Breaking Strength:Manufacturers’ rating used by the employerto calculate safe working loads.On Line: The condition of being suspendedfrom or attached to a rope.Proof Load: A test load applied to verifythat an item of equipment will not exhibitpermanent deformation under that load, atthat particular time.Rescuer: An individual who is designatedby the employer to perform rescue ofpersonnel as a member of the rescueservice.Rescue Service: Organization determinedby the employer to be capable of safe andeffective rescue of rope access workers.Retrieval: Procedure for rescuing ropeaccess workers without placing a rescueron-line.Retrieval System: The equipment(including a retrieval line, harness, liftingdevice, and anchor) used for rescue of ropeaccess workers without placing a rescueron-line. The safety line may be used as theretrieval line in a retrieval system.Rope Access: Techniques by which accessis gained to buildings, other structures (on oroffshore), geological features (such as clifffaces), or manmade features (such asdams) by means of ropes. It applies to allcases where ropes are used as:- the primary means of support.- as means of primary protection orpositioning, and- where people descend or ascendon a rope or traverse alonghorizontal rope.Rope Access Program Manager: Aperson authorized by their employer to beresponsible for managing the employer’srope access program, who is suitablyknowledgeable, experienced, and qualifiedto manage the rope access program,including matters relating to safety, training,regulations, staffing, equipment selectionand management, and other programresponsibilities as designated by theemployer.Rope Access Technician: A person whohas the appropriate training and experienceto use an industrial rope access system andperform the duties required according to theassigned level of responsibility. There arethree levels of Rope Access Technician:- Rope Access Supervisor- (LevelIII Technician) - A person with thetraining, skills, experience andqualifications necessary toassume responsibility for theentire rope access work site,including management andguidance of other Rope AccessTechnicians on the worksite, whois capable of designing, analyzing,evaluating and specifying ropeaccess systems, and who has theknowledge and experience todirect rescue operations from ropeaccess systems, as well as theskills necessary to performadvanced rescue from ropeaccess systems.- Rope Access Lead Technician(Level II Technician) - A personwith the appropriate training,skills, experience, andqualifications to perform, under© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 5January 15, 2007 edition

the direction of a Rope AccessSupervisor (Level III), all ropeaccess rigging, work and, at aminimum, has the skills necessaryto perform standard rescue fromrope access systems.- Rope Access Worker (Level ITechnician) - A person with theappropriate training, skills, andqualifications for performing,under the direct supervision of aRope Access Lead Technician(Level II) or Supervisor (Level III),standard rope access operationsand, at a minimum, has the skillsnecessary to perform limitedrescue from rope access systemsRope Grab: A device used to grasp a lifesafety rope for the purpose of supporting aload.Safe Working Load (SWL): The designatedmaximum working load of an item ofequipment as calculated by the employerfrom the minimum breaking strength.Safe Zone: Any area outside the HazardZone or the Access Zone.Safety, Secondary, Belay or BackupRope: Rope used to protect against falls ifthe user slips or the primary support, anchoror positioning mechanism fails.3 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS3.1 *The employer shall prepare an accesspermit before beginning rope accesswork. The access permit shall include,but not be limited to, the followingsafety objectives:- list the rope access methods tobe used for the proposed work,- list the members of the workteam by name and identifytheir duties. (Note: the RopeAccess Supervisor shallassess the individual teammember’s suitability for thework to be performed.)- list the rope access equipmentto be used for the work to beperformed,- list the hazards associatedwith the work to be performed,- list appropriate personalprotective equipment (PPE) tobe used,- list provisions for providingsecurity to the anchor,- list public safety provisions,- list the rescue service and themeans to summon the rescueservice.Safety Factor: The minimum strength of thesystem divided by the maximum anticipatedload expressed as a ratio.Static Rope: Rope that has an elongation of6% or less at 10% of minimum breakingstrength. See also Low Stretch Rope.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 6January 15, 2007 edition

3.2 * Safety, Secondary, Belay or Backupline(s) or other appropriate fall arrestdevices shall be used in addition to themain line unless the employer candemonstrate that the second line orother fall arrest devices would create agreater hazard or otherwise would notbe feasible.3.3 Where a safety line is used inconjunction with the main line, eachline should have its own separateanchor and should be separately fixedto the worker’s harness. This does notpreclude both lines being attached to asingle harness attachment point.3.4 *Employer shall insure that anchorshave been evaluated in order to ensurethat overall system safety factors canbe met.3.5 *Before adopting rope accesstechniques for a particular job, theproperty owners, the main contractorsand others responsible forcommissioning the work shall do a riskassessment, which would includeconsideration of the various ropeaccess alternatives available and theirrespective access advantages andhazards. In particular, attention shallbe given to the following aspects:- Ability of the suspended person tosafely use materials, equipment ortools necessary for the work andwhether the reaction from any toolmay place the person at risk.- Whether the work may loosenmaterial which could become ahazard to the worker or others.- Whether the time required for thework at any one location will besuch that there may beunacceptable levels of risk,- Whether it would be possible toquickly rescue workers that areusing rope access techniquesfrom any position they could beexpected to enter.3.6 The employer shall designate a RopeAccess Program Manager to be themain contact point for matters relatingto the safety, training and regulatoryaspects of rope access. Thedesignated person should be suitablyknowledgeable, experienced andqualified in rope access techniques.3.7 Provision for prompt rescue or selfrescue and for emergency servicesshall be the responsibility of the HostEmployer.4 EMPLOYEE SELECTION ANDCAPABILITIES4.1 *Employers should verify prior ropeaccess training and/or experience.4.2 Employer shall determine thatpersonnel are sufficiently physicallycapable and free from any impairmentthat may prevent them from workingsafely. Employees should have amedical examination beforeemployment in rope access work andat regular intervals.4.3 The employer shall use a trained RopeAccess Lead Technician for systemsetup and system safety checks.4.4 The employer shall use trained RopeAccess Workers and/or LeadTechnicians to conduct all work on line.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 7January 15, 2007 edition

5 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OFEMPLOYERS5.1 Employers shall develop andimplement a policy statement thatprovides general goals and guidancefor a rope access program thatemphasizes management’scommitment to providing a safeworkplace for personnel engaged inrope access work.5.2 Employers shall provide the resourcesthat are necessary for thedevelopment, implementation andoperation of their rope accessprogram.5.3 Employers shall appoint a RopeAccess Program Manager who meetsthe requirements of this standard, andwho has the authority to manage anddirect the employer’s rope accessprogram.5.4 Employers shall develop and maintainwritten rope access and rescueprocedures for every location where itsemployees use rope access.5.5 Employers shall ensure thatemployees are informed of foreseeablehazards that they may encounterduring the performance of their duties.5.6 Employers shall ensure that allemployees have the knowledge andtraining necessary to safely performthe rope access work to which they areassigned.5.7 Employers shall ensure that allpersonnel assigned to supervise orotherwise manage other personnel onthe worksite are capable in terms ofknowledge, training and experience, toprovide such oversight.6 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OFTHE ROPE ACCESS PROGRAMMANAGER6.1 A Rope Access Program Manager isresponsible for the development,implementation, monitoring, review,and revision of the employer’s ropeaccess program, and has overallresponsibility for the program.6.2 The Rope Access Program Managershall:6.2.1 Recognize the limitations of itspersonnel (in terms of training,qualifications, experience, andexpertise) to perform rope accesswork, and ensure that no work isundertaken that exceeds thoselimitations.6.2.2 Have a working knowledge of currentapplicable federal, state and localregulations that apply to rope accessand working at height, directly orindirectly, and ensure implementationof all such requirements.6.2.3 Establish and implement proceduresfor ensuring and verifying that allemployees have the necessarytraining, skills, and experience foreach rope access project to whichthey are assigned, according to theirduties and responsibilities as outlinedin this standard.6.2.4 Establish and implement proceduresfor ensuring that all hazards to whichemployees may potentially beexposed on a rope access project areidentified, and controlled oreliminated, prior to thecommencement of the rope accessproject.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 8January 15, 2007 edition

6.2.5 Ensure that all rope access projectsare appropriately supervised.6.2.6 Ensure that the procurement,inspection, tracking, and replacementof equipment used on rope accessprojects is performed by a person (orpersons) with the appropriateknowledge, training and experienceto perform the assigned task as itrelates to the Rope AccessEmployer’s operations.6.2.7 Ensure communication andcoordination with clients and theirsafety representatives regarding ropeaccess safety and rescueprocedures.6.2.8 Provide, or verify that personnel areprovided with, all appropriate ropeaccess, rescue and personalprotective equipment for each ropeaccess project6.2.9 Ensure that procedures are in placefor establishing and marking workzones, and for keeping otherpersonnel and the public out ofaffected work areas.6.2.10 Ensure that procedures areconsistent with all applicableregulatory requirements andstandards related to the workenvironment, and that suchrequirements are followed by allemployees.6.2.11 Establish and implement proceduresfor ensuring that all required planningand documentation, including workpermits, job safety analyses, andrescue plans, are completed prior tothe commencement of rope accessprojects, and that all affectedpersonnel are appropriately briefed.6.2.12 Verify that rope access personnelmaintain all necessary training andcertifications.6.2.13 Ensure that employee rope accessand training hours are recordedproperly.6.2.14 Provide, or verify provision of, allemployee training required to meetthe provisions of this standard and ofthe employer’s rope access program.6.2.15 Participate in the investigation of allincidents related to injuries or nearmisses involving employees duringrope access work or training, eitherpersonally or through a qualifiedindividual designated to investigatethe incident(s), and taking necessarycorrective action to eliminate thecauses of such incidents.6.2.16 Perform any other duties andresponsibilities that are necessary forthe development, implementation,and maintenance of a safe andeffective rope access program, giventhe particular nature of the employer’soperations and the environment inwhich rope access work is to beperformed.7 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OFTHE ROPE ACCESS SUPERVISOR(LEVEL III TECHNICIAN)7.1 A Rope Access Supervisor (Level IIITechnician Level) shall have overallresponsibility for the rope access worksite and the rope access personnelassigned to that work site.7.2 To the extent that other qualifiedpersonnel are assigned a duty orresponsibility that is also designated asa duty or responsibility of the Rope© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 9January 15, 2007 edition

ancillary rescue services (whenapplicable), and that the means tosummon them are functioning.7.5.12 Specify the appropriate rope accessequipment, systems and systemcomponents, and supervise theirinstallation, use, and inspection.7.5.13 Except as provided in the section ofthis document addressing rescue:7.5.13.1 Ensure that a prompt rescue of ropeaccess personnel can beaccomplished.7.5.13.2 Manage rescue efforts that may berequired during the work.7.5.13.3 Specify appropriate rescueprocedures.7.5.14 Remove from service any ropeaccess equipment or other equipment(such as tools) that are used duringrope access work that is damaged orhas potentially sustained damage(such as from a significant shockload), until such time that it can beestablished that such equipment issafe for use.7.5.15 Ensure that all equipment on theworksite is protected from damageand is maintained in a safe conditionthroughout the work.7.5.16 Document and validate employeerope access hours in the mannerprescribed by the Rope AccessProgram Manager.7.5.17 Perform any other duties designatedin the employer’s Rope AccessProgram, or identified by the RopeAccess Manager or Supervisor, forsupervising, managing, or otherwisemaintaining a safe rope accessworksite.7.6 Where it is determined that the use ofancillary rescue capability is required inthe event rescue is needed during ropeaccess operations, the supervisor shallcoordinate with the provider of theancillary rescue capability as requiredin rescue section of this document.8 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OFTHE ROPE ACCESS LEADTECHNICIAN (LEVEL II TECHNICIAN)8.1 A Rope Access Lead Technician(Technician Level II) shall have theappropriate training, experience, andqualifications to perform all ropeaccess work, rigging and, at aminimum, standard rescue proceduresunder the direction on a Rope AccessSupervisor (Technician Level III).8.2 A Rope Access Lead Technician(Technician Level II) may performlimited supervision over Rope AccessWorkers (Technician Level I) and otherLevel II Technicians under the closedirection of a Rope Access Supervisor.Such supervisory responsibilities mayonly be delegated to the Rope AccessLead Technician after:8.2.1 The Rope Access Supervisordetermines that the Rope AccessLead Technician is capable ofproviding limited supervision giventhe circumstances of the rope accesswork being performed; and8.2.2 The Rope Access Supervisordetermines that the Rope AccessLead Technician is prepared tohandle all work variables andpotential rescue requirements.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 11January 15, 2007 edition

8.3 The Rope Access Lead Technician(Technician Level II) shall:8.3.1 Adjust, inspect, maintain, properlyuse, care for, and store all ropeaccess equipment necessary toperform the rope access work.8.3.2 Utilize appropriate personal protectiveequipment as directed by the RopeAccess Supervisor and theEmployer’s Rope Access Program.8.3.3 Recognize worksite hazards, takecorrective measures to eliminate orcontrol those hazards, and notify theRope Access Supervisor of all suchhazards and the corrective measurestaken.8.3.4 Identify work zones (e.g. hazardzone).8.3.5 Understand and follow therequirements of all applicable workpermits and job safety analyses.8.3.6 Have a working knowledge andunderstanding of the employer’s ropeaccess program and all applicablepolicy and procedures.8.3.7 Follow the Rope Access Supervisor’sdirections regarding the work to beperformed.8.3.8 Notify the Rope Access Supervisor ifassigned a task or responsibilitybeyond the Rope Access LeadTechnician’s training, skills,qualifications, or experience.8.3.9 Understand and communicate anywritten and verbal warnings.8.3.10 Construct, inspect, and analyze saferope access systems.8.3.11 Perform standard rescue proceduresused by the employer for the specificwork environment.8.3.12 Perform any other duties designatedin the employer’s rope accessprogram, or identified by the RopeAccess Manager or Supervisor, withinthat Rope Access Lead Technician’straining, skills, experience andqualifications, for conducting saferope access operations andmaintaining a safe rope accessworksite.9 DUTIES OF THE ROPE ACCESSWORKER (LEVEL I TECHNICIAN)9.1 The Rope Access Worker (Level ITechnician) shall have the appropriatetraining and qualifications forconducting standard rope accessoperations under the direct supervisionof a Rope Access Supervisor (Level IIITechnician) or Rope Access LeadTechnician (Level II Technician) and,at a minimum, limited rescue from ropeaccess systems.9.2 The Rope Access Worker shall:9.2.1 Have a working understanding of theemployer’s rope access program andall applicable policy and procedures.9.2.2 Adjust, inspect, maintain, care for,and store personal rope accessequipment.9.2.3 Inspect and verify the integrity ofanchor systems and components.9.2.4 Recognize worksite hazards andnotify the Rope Access Supervisor ofany such hazards.9.2.5 Be capable of identifying work zones.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 12January 15, 2007 edition

9.2.6 Understand applicable work permitsand job safety analyses.9.2.7 Understand and communicate anywritten or verbal warnings.9.2.8 Be familiar with rescue proceduresand systems used by the employer,and assist in the performance ofrescue from rope access systems.9.2.9 Utilize appropriate personal protectiveequipment as designated by theRope Access Supervisor.9.2.10 Follow the Rope Access Supervisor’sor, where appropriate pursuant to therequirements of the Safe PracticesDocument, the Rope Access LeadTechnician’s directions regarding thework to be performed.9.2.11 Notify the Rope Access Supervisor ifassigned a task or responsibilitybeyond the Rope Access Worker’straining, skills, qualifications, orexperience.9.2.12 Perform any other duties designatedin the employer’s Rope AccessProgram, or identified by the RopeAccess Manager or Supervisor, withinthe training, qualifications, andexperience of the Rope AccessWorker, for conducting safe ropeaccess operations and maintaining asafe rope access worksite.10 *ROPE ACCESS EQUIPMENT10.1 Components used in any system shallbe compatible.10.2 Any equipment chosen to support aperson at height should be such that itcannot be accidentally removed,dislodged or become unfastened fromthe rope while a person is suspendedfrom it.10.3 *Harnesses.Harness performance and constructionshould comply with relevant, nationallyrecognized standards such as NFPA,UIAA, ANSI, ASTM.10.4 *Carabiners.Carabiners and similar connectors withscrew-gates or self-locking methods ofclosure are the only types that canprovide the required level of securityfor this type of work. If used to cliponto steel cable, shackles or eye bolts,they should be constructed of steel orother suitably hard metals. Those thatare to clip to any anchorage (e.g.,hanger, eye bolts, or shackles) shouldbe of such a design and size that theycan rotate freely in them withouthindrance and without loosening theanchorage. Minimum strength: 22 kN(5,000 lbs).10.5 *Descenders.Descenders should give the usersuitable control over the speed ofdescent and should not cause undueshock loads to the rope when braking.In addition they should not causeabrasion, plucking or stripping of thesheath under normal or expected use.They should be of a type that cannotbecome accidentally detached from therope.10.6 *Rope Grabs.Rope grabs should be of a type thatwill not slip at a static load below 2.25kN (550 lbs). Rope grabs should be ofa type that cannot be accidentallydetached from the rope. Ascendersshould be chosen so as to minimizethe risk of damage to the rope when inuse.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 13January 15, 2007 edition

10.7 Ropes10.7.1 *Ropes made from nylon or polyesterwill normally be the most suitable forrope access work. Ropes of otherman-made materials might, however,be useful in specific situations. Insuch cases, great caution should beexercised in verifying their suitabilityfor the work.10.7.2 *Static or Low Stretch Ropes shallnormally be used for ascending anddescending on rope. Static or LowStretch Ropes shall be of akernmantle construction compliantwith Cordage Institute 1801 LowStretch and Static Kernmantle LifeSafety Rope, and have a minimumbreaking strength sufficient to supplythe users’ desired calculated systemsafety factor. In no case shall thesafety factor for a rope accesssystem be less than 5:1.10.7.3 Where a fall in excess of a factor .25fall might occur, dynamic rope shouldnormally be used in place of static orlow stretch rope. Dynamic safetyrope should be of a kernmantleconstruction compliant with UIAA/CE(or comparable) standards for singleclimbing ropes.10.8 Webbing.Webbing used shall have a minimumbreaking strength of at least 17.5 kN(4,000 lbs) when new. High modulusfibers such as Spectra, Kevlar, Vectranand similar fibers with minimumelongation may break when subjectedto shock loading and shall not be usedwhere a shock load may be applied.10.9 *Certification.It is recommended that only equipmentthat has a current certificate of the safeworking load or minimum breakingstrength, or other certification as toreliability, should be used. A checkshould be made that all certificates arebacked by either sample testing tofailure, or proof testing on individualitems, and a proven quality assuranceprogram, in accordance with anappropriate standard. Equipmentshould be only used in the mannerindicated by the manufacturer.10.10 *Care and Inspection of Equipment10.10.1Employer shall demonstrate that allequipment is used, inspected andmaintained in accordance withmanufacturer’s instructions.Provisions shall be made for theretirement of equipment asnecessary.10.10.2Employer shall establish and monitora procedure to ensure all items ofequipment are inspected before eachuse.10.10.3Employer shall ensure that equipmentis protected from damage during thecourse of its use.10.11 Access Zone10.11.1An Access Zone shall be established.10.11.2Anchorages should normally beestablished outside the Access Zoneso that the workers can don theirharnesses and helmets and attachthemselves to the working line(s)before entering into the Access zone.10.11.3No one may enter the Access Zonefor any purpose unless they arewearing a harness and are attachedto an anchored safety rope.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 14January 15, 2007 edition

10.12 Hazard Zone10.12.1A Hazard Zone shall be establishedand marked, blockaded or identifiedto warn rope access personnel andpassers-by of hazards associatedwith the work being performed.10.12.2No one may enter the Hazard Zoneunless they are wearing appropriatePersonal Protective Equipment.11 *COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS11.1 An effective communications systemshall be established prior to beginningwork and should remain effective for allthe time that work is actively takingplace.11.2 Radio systems or hardlinecommunications equipment should beused for communication purposesunless the area of work is such that allthose involved are always visible toeach other and within audible range.12 USE OF SUSPENDED WORKPLATFORMS IN CONJUNCTION WITHROPE ACCESS12.1 A suspended temporary work platformshould be utilized if the work is suchthat the Rope Access Lead Technicianmay become overtired or sufferrestriction to their blood flow.12.2 When such platforms are used inconjunction with rope access methodsthe anchorages for the platform shouldbe totally independent from those usedby Rope Access personnel as mainlines or safety lines.12. 3 Alternatively, support could beprovided for the Rope Access LeadTechnician by a comfort seat or strapincorporated into the harness system.This should be fitted in a manner that itdoes not detract from the harnessbeing the primary means of safety13 TOOLS AND WORK EQUIPMENT13.1 *All tools and equipment must besuitable for the work intended andcompatible with rope access work. Inparticular, they should not present adanger to the safe operation orintegrity of the rope access system.13.2 *Where the workers carry tools andequipment, appropriate steps shall betaken to prevent them being droppedor falling onto people below.13.3 *All electrical equipment, plugs,sockets, couplers, leads, etc. shouldbe suitable for the environment inwhich they will be used.13.4 Power tools weighing more than 10pounds should be fitted with a separatesuspension system secured to anindependent anchorage. Anchoragesand suspension ropes used forequipment should be clearly identifiedto avoid confusion with those used tosupport persons.13.5 Moving parts of tools should be keptclear of the operator, power leads andthe suspension equipment.13.6 Appropriate grounding shall beprovided for as necessary.13.7 Any power tools that could cause injuryto the users or access equipmentshould be fitted with an automatic shutoff switch that will cut off the power inthe event of a mistake, accident, oremergency.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 15January 15, 2007 edition

14 RESCUE AND EMERGENCYSERVICES14.1 Provision for prompt rescue or selfrescue as well as emergencyservices shall be the responsibilityof the host employer.14.2 Where the host employer elects forhost employers’ employees or ropeaccess work contract employees toperform rescue and emergencyservices, the following requirementshall apply:- The employer shall ensure thateach member of the rescueservice is provided with, and istrained to use properly, thepersonal protective equipmentand rescue equipment necessaryfor making rescues from ropeaccess situations.- Each member of the rescueservice shall be trained to performthe assigned rescue duties. Eachmember of the rescue serviceshall also receive the requiredtraining.- Each member of the rescueservice shall practice makingrescues from rope accesssituations at least once every 90days by means of simulatedrescue operations in which theyrescue dummies, mannequins oractual persons from rope accesssituations.- Each member of the rescueservice shall hold at least acurrent First Responder (orequivalent) certification andcardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) certification.14.3 When the host employer elects tohave persons other than the hostemployers employees or RopeAccess Work contract employeesperform rescue and emergencyservices, the host employer shallensure that the outside rescueservice:- can effectively respond in a timelymanner to a rescue summons- is equipped, trained and capableof functioning appropriately toperform rescue of rope accessworkers at the employer’s facility.- is aware of the hazards they mayconfront when called on toperform rescue at the hostemployer’s facility.- is provided in advance withaccess to areas that require ropeaccess work so that the outsiderescuer can develop appropriaterescue plans and practice rescueoperations.- provide documentation that theoutside rescue service complieswith 14.2 of this standard.14.4 Retrieval systems or methods shallbe available on site whenever arope access worker is on line,unless use of the retrievalequipment would increase theoverall risk of the rope access work,or would not contribute to therescue of the rope access worker.14.5 Retrieval procedures using retrievalsystems should be practiced atregular intervals and before thestart of any work at situations thatare unfamiliar to the work team.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 16January 15, 2007 edition

APPENDIXA2Carabiner, Locking. This mayinclude the standard “screw-gate”style carabiner in which screwing thegate open/closed would beconsidered one action, and the otheraction may be pushing the gate open.A3.1 Before starting a particular job theemployer shall carefully assess thework to be undertaken and ensurethat all the potential hazards areidentified. A site survey is required todetermine the means of access, risksto people other than the employeesand the nature of the workingenvironment. From this assessment,employers can then prepare asuitable work plan, with necessaryseparate work plans being preparedfor each particular aspect of the job.This statement should set out thegeneral principles and workingprocedures for each particularsituation which are to be followed bytheir employees and self employedpeople contracted to work for them.In many cases where types of jobsare similar, sections of the ropeAccess Permit could be identical andmight therefore be in the form of ageneral document.A3.2 In planning to meet these objectives,it should be noted that experiencehas shown significant safety benefitsmay be obtained if the system of workalways includes the provision of atleast one alternative means ofsupport to prevent a person fromfalling. This means that should anyone item fail within the suspensionsystem, then there will be anadequate back-up to prevent acatastrophic accident. However, insome situations such additionalmeasures may cause greater hazardthan they mitigate. These situationsshould be thoroughly documented inthe access permit.A3.4 Employer shall insure that anchorshave been taken into consideration toinsure that overall system safetyfactors can be met. Properly plannedanchorages should be used. In somecases, anchorages must be installedprior to use. In such cases, aqualified person with experience inRope Access Anchoring Systemsshould design an anchor point to beinstalled. In other cases, there will bea need to devise an anchor point fromexisting structures. Possibleappropriate anchor points include butare not limited to steel members, I-beams, healthy trees of good sizeand mass, large boulders, heavyequipment and specially designedanchor points.A3.5 Those permitting, planning,supervising and carrying out the workshould ensure that the safetyobjectives given in the followingparagraphs are met.a) The primary objective is toorganize, plan and manage ropeaccess work so that there will be anadequate safety margin to minimizeany risks.b) Where the work takes place in aparticularly hazardous or restrictedarea, such as could give rise topoisoning, asphyxiation, etc., thenthe training, abilities, experience,competence and size of the workteam should be of a level that issuitable to deal with any emergencyarising out of undertaking the work.c) In circumstances where wetsynthetic ropes may become a© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 17January 15, 2007 edition

tracking path for electricaldischarges, suitable precautionsshould be taken.d) Except where work is laid out toallow horizontal traversing, workshall be planned such that workerscan descend vertically, with theminimum amount of pendulum tominimize the risk of chafing the ropeor overloading the rope or anchors.e) Work should start from properlyprotected safe areas or areas madesafe by the installation of temporarybarriers or scaffolding. Such areasshould also have a safe means ofaccess.f) Anchors should have safety factorsthat meet or exceed those requiredfor the ropes. The attachment tothe anchorage should at least equalthe strength of the system attachedto it. Re-direction of ropes from ananchor should not exceed 120degrees unless the side loadsproduced at the redirection pointare considered. Similarly, wherethe included angle at theattachment is high and produces a‘multiplier’ effect, the extra forcesproduced should be considered.g) All rope access workers should beproperly supervised and selfsupportive.Work teams shouldconsist of at least the minimumnumber of members required toensure that should anyone requirehelp they can quickly performretrieval. To meet the aboverequirement, a work team shouldconsist of at least two members.One member of the work teamshould be qualified as a RopeAccess Supervisor or LeadTechnician. The Rope AccessSupervisor should ensure that theprovisions for rescue are adequate.Sufficient personnel should bereadily available to provideassistance in the event of anemergency.A4.1 People chosen for the work shouldhave a suitable attitude for working atheight. To work safely at heightrequires those engaged in the work tohave special characteristics.Prospective employees should haveboth aptitude and attitude that wouldnot result in panic, cause them tomake mistakes in a crisis, or work ina foolish or undisciplined manner.Aptitude and attitude may varyaccording to height and environmentof work to be performed.Frequently those who work at heightwill be remote or out of sight fromtheir Rope Access Supervisor. It is,therefore, especially important thatthe workers can be always reliedupon to behave in a sensible andresponsible manner.To assess whether a person iscapable of performing this type ofwork requires detailed considerationof their previous experience.Employers should verify prior ropeaccess training experience.Other suitable experience couldinclude mountaineering, caving andworking at heights using other meansof access. Experience with the fireservice or Military Forces may also berelevant if a person has beenregularly engaged in the use ofmethods that involve being exposedat heights. Where practicable,references should be obtained toverify claimed experience and levelsof competence.Employers will be assisted in theirverification and monitoring of aworker’s experience when their© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 18January 15, 2007 edition

A10workers or applicants have apersonal record log showing thetraining received and describing theirwork experience.As part of their duties to maintain asafe place of work, employers shouldcontrol any tendency of employees towork in an undisciplined manner byrecording this in their personal logbooks. An amending note cancelingany adverse comments would notthen be made until the employer iscompletely satisfied that there wouldbe no recurrence.Employees must ensure that theemployees maintain their level ofability. Refresher training should beprovided for workers who have notbeen continuously engaged in thiswork. Due to the aptitude and mentalconditioning for height ‘exposure’,workers who have not been engagedon rope access for six months ormore should attend a suitablerefresher course before being allowedto work in this manner. This may beeither a refresher course or a fullcourse at the appropriate level.All items of equipment that may beused to support a person (i.e., ropes,harnesses, descenders, and otherattachments) should be strongenough to provide an adequate safetyfactor over the most severecombination of loads that it isreasonable to predict. The choice ofsuitable safety factors will varydepending on whether the equipmentwill be subjected to dynamic or staticloads. It will also vary depending onwhether or not it’s being subjected tosevere mechanical abrasion orchemical contamination or othersignificant deterioration. Devicesshould be marked with themanufacturer’s mark and a uniquenumber to allow traceability to theirtest, inspection or certificates ofconformity.A10.3 Where the harness is to be used asthe primary support, webbing on theleg loops should be of sufficient widthand design to support the wearer in acomfortable and safe working positionwhile allowing unhindered operationof other equipment and tools.A10.4 Strengths listed are for single personloads. Higher strengths may berequired to achieve similar safetyfactors for two person or rescueloads.A10.5 For long descents, considerationshould be given to the effect of ropeweighton descender performance.Consideration should also be given toreducing cumulative twisting of therope.A10.6 Rope grabs may be used to ascend arope or to attach the operator to asafety line. In the event of a failure ofthe main line or loss of control by theoperator, rope grabs are intended togrip the safety rope without causingdamage to the rope and also helpabsorb any shock load which mayoccur.A10.7.1 Ropes made from highmodulus polyethylene, high tenacitypolypropylene and “Kevlar” are typesof ropes which may be considered inexceptional circumstances when theappropriate descent devices havebeen developed. These might beuseful where there is severe chemicalpollution or where the self weight ofthe ropes could be a problem.However, H.M. polyethylene and H.T.polypropylene have much lower© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 19January 15, 2007 edition

melting temperatures than nylon orpolyester and may be affected byfrictional heat from the descenders.Dangerous softening ofpolypropylene occurs at temperaturesas low as 27 degrees C (80 degreesF). Kevlar has a very high meltingpoint but poor resistance to abrasion,UV light (including sunlight) andrepeated bending.A10.7.2 Life Safety Ropes should beselected which have an outer sheaththat resists undue wear from edgesand system components and tightenough to resist the ingress of dirtand grit. In most cases, this rope willbe low stretch rope.A11kept. In some cases it will be helpfulif they also have relevant commentsnoting where the equipment wasused, its storage conditions, and anyincidents which could affect its life(e.g., unusual loadings, use inchemical or gritty atmosphere,exposure to salt-air, etc.). Therecords shall note when each piece ofequipment was inspected, by whomand any remarks concerning itscondition at that time.Hand or audible signals to be usedfor regular or emergencycommunications should be agreedupon and rehearsed before workbegins.An example of calculating systemsafety factors is as follows: a 68 kg(150-pound) worker, to achieve a 5:1safety factor, must work on a systemwhere the weakest link of the systemis calculated to be capable ofsustaining at least 340 kg (750pounds).A10.9 Part of the permitting process for ropeaccess work is the evaluation anddetermination of which standardsapply to equipment being used for thetype of work being done.Conventional “fall protection”equipment rated to ANSI A10.14 orZ359.1 may not be sufficient for ropeaccess work due to differentconstruction and performancerequirements. Most equipment willmeet a CE, ASTM, Cordage Instituteor NFPA standard. The most criticalelement is to ensure that theequipment being used is appropriatefor the job at hand.A10.10 Records listing all equipmentissued, referring to the original test orcertificates of conformity should beA13.1 Work using rope access techniques isgenerally more exposed than mostother work methods due to factorsincluding the inability of the worker tomove from close proximity to the workitself and to any power source ortools being used. As a result certaintools, which can be used safely fromthe ground, platforms, or other worksurfaces, could cause risks to theworker or their suspension equipmentunless great care is taken.A13.2 Small tools may be securely attachedto the worker’s harness by lanyards,carried in a bucket or bag securelyattached to the worker’s harness, orotherwise secured Safety factorcalculations always take intoconsideration the weight of any tools.A13.3 In some cases power leads mightneed to be adequately supported orsecured at their upper suspensionpoint to carry their own self weight, orsecured at intermediate points. Careshould be taken to ensure that anysuch systems do not impair the ropeaccess system or its backup.© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 20January 15, 2007 edition

14. CONTACT INFORMATIONSociety of Professional Rope AccessTechnicians994 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 1019Wayne, PA 19087-1866info@sprat.org© 2007 Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians Page 21January 15, 2007 edition