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