Rope access window cleaning of Portside Tower in Cape Town

Rope access or industrial climbing or commercial climbing, is a form of work positioning, initially developed from techniques used in

climbing Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend a steep topographical object that can range from the world's tallest mountains (e.g. the eight thousanders), to small boulders. Climbing is done ...

and

caving Caving – also known as spelunking in the United States and Canada and potholing in the United Kingdom and Ireland – is the recreational pastime of exploring wild cave systems (as distinguished from show caves). In contrast, speleology i ...

, which applies practical

ropework Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are traditional umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope. While th ...

to allow workers to access difficult-to-reach locations without the use of

scaffolding Scaffolding, also called scaffold or staging, is a temporary structure used to support a work crew and materials to aid in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings, bridges and all other man-made structures. Scaffolds are widely use ...

, cradles or an

aerial work platform An aerial work platform (AWP), also known as an aerial device, elevating work platform (EWP), cherry picker, bucket truck or mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment t ...

. Rope access technicians descend, ascend, and traverse ropes for access and work while suspended by their harnesses. Sometimes a work seat may be used. The support of the rope is intended to eliminate the likelihood of a fall altogether, but a backup fall arrest system is used in case of the unlikely failure of the primary means of support. This redundancy system is usually achieved by using two ropes - a working line and a safety line.

Gallery

File:Viuna jackup .jpg, Performing repairs on oil platforms and rigs in Iran Image:Spasskaya Uhrmacher.jpg, Rope access to

turret clock A turret clock or tower clock is a clock designed to be mounted high in the wall of a building, usually in a clock tower, in public buildings such as churches, university buildings, and town halls. As a public amenity to enable the community to ...

File:Technicien cordiste purge.JPG, Rope access technician performing maintenance work on a building

References

External links

IRATA International
- Industrial Rope Access Trade Association
IRATA International Code of Practice (ICOP)SPRAT - The Society of Professional Rope Access TechniciansSPRAT Safe Practices for Rope Access WorkISO 22846 - International Standard for Rope Access
{{Portal bar, Climbing Occupational safety and health Working conditions Climbing