The Importance of Rope Access Training

by Jon Jacobs , March 12, 2018

In any workplace, safety is of the utmost importance. Of course, in some jobs more than others, safety could be the highest priority. For example, jobs which require you to hang on aerial platforms could reserve very specific safety standards, more so than, say, someone who works in a retail setting. A Nouvelle Hauteur rope access training course , for one, might be a priority for many companies.

What is Rope Access?

To understand why rope access training is important, you must first understand what rope access is. Rope access, basically, is work developed out of techniques taken from climbing and caving. These techniques now apply to practical rope work which allows workers to access hard-to-reach locations without having to use more burdensome equipment like scaffolding, cradles, and aerial platforms.

Rope access technicians, then, learn to ascend and descend hanging ropes, of course, as well as efficiently traverse them horizontally while working in a suspended harness. In some cases, a work seat might also be employed.

Rope Access in the Work Place

Rope access applications are most common in building inspection, maintenance, and surveying, as well as in the construction of bridges, towers, buildings, dams, and wind turbines. Among these, building inspection is the most common application.

Typical rope access applications can include:

The construction, inspection, and/or painting of power plants and offshore oil platforms
The inspection, maintenance, and surveillance of wind turbines
The construction, inspection, maintenance, and surveillance of bridges and dams
Window cleaning and repair
Aircraft warning light maintenance on high-rise buildings
Aerial, electrical, and telecommunication transmission tower maintenance
Construction assistance on stadiums and spires (uniquely-shaped structures)
Event-rigging, installation of banners, lighting, fireworks, and flags
The inspection, documentation or, and/or access to large building facades

However, in addition to the most common applications, rope access is becoming more of a standard practice in other aspects of construction labor. Indeed, rope access is growing among the cutting, welding, painting, and heavy material handling specialties.

Rope Access Equipment

Obviously rope access protocols involve rope but there are many other pieces of equipment typically used in any rope access application. These can include: