Guides the reader in the development and maintenance of a rope access program

* Provides comprehensive guidance for employers, safety managers and rope access technicians to develop, maintain, and manage a rope access program

* Offers specific guidance for writing a comprehensive managed fall protection plan that includes rope access

* Thoroughly describes how to perform specific rope access maneuvers that can be used to offer greater safety when working at height

* Shows how a well-managed rope access program can be used as a tool to get more work accomplished at a lower cost and with greater efficiency than conventional methods can achieve

* Discusses and clarifies unique distinctions of equipment for rope access, as compared with equipment for fall arrest, positioning, and restraint

Loui McCurley's pioneering efforts in safe work at height include having helped found the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians, participating in the development of ISO 22846, and numerous other standards within ANSI Z359, ANSI 459, NFPA, ASTM, and more. Loui is committed to harmonizing regulatory requirements for work at height with practical, safe methods of work and verified technician skills. Her book Falls From Height: A Guide to Rescue (Wiley, 2012) was the first of its kind in fall protection. Loui is a passionate trainer and a frequent presenter at safety conferences including the American Society of Safety Engineers, National Association of Tower Erectors, VPPAC, and the International Technical Rescue Symposium.

The comprehensive guide to performing work at height more safely and at less cost

In the present economy, employers around the globe are working harder than ever to maximize safety in work at height with a careful eye toward fiscal responsibility. In the drive to do more with less (workers, money, time, resources, etc.) rope access offers the opportunity to raise the bar in both safety and cost-efficiency. This specialized mode of access and protection is a solution that site owners and managers frequently turn to for putting specially trained, certified technicians in hard-to-reach places with maximum safety and minimal cost.

Professional Rope Access: A Guide to Working Safely at Height is a comprehensive guide that employers, safety managers, trainers, and technicians can use to develop and maintain a rope access program that will get more work accomplished at a lower cost and with greater safety than conventional methods can achieve.

Professional Rope Access features topics on:

• Planning For Rope Access such as personnel selection and training and Equipment for Rigging
• Skills For The Rope Access Technician including Rigging Concepts, Advanced Techniques, Powered Devices, and Rescue
• Program Administration from Writing a Work Order through Equipment Inspection & Care

For many trades, rope access provides an excellent solution for gaining access to difficult-to-reach locations. The extensive amount of knowledge and training that rope access technicians possess, and the highly disciplined and structured system that comprises rope access, mean that more complex jobs can often be performed more safely and efficiently, in a shorter period of time, resulting in monetary and safety benefits.

Author Loui McCurley is a pioneer of the advent of rope access as a means of safe work at height. Efforts include having helped found the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians, participating in the development of ISO 22846, and numerous other standards within ANSI Z359, ANSI 459, NFPA, ASTM, and more. Loui is committed to harmonizing regulatory requirements for work at height with practical, safe methods of work and verified technician skills. Her book Falls From Height: A Guide to Rescue (Wiley, 2012) was the first of its kind in fall protection. Loui is a passionate trainer and a frequent presenter at safety conferences including the American Society of Safety Engineers, National Association of Tower Erectors, VPPAC, and the Technical Rescue Symposium.

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 | Rig…