Regional Operations Manager - Rope Access & Rescue

George Sakellariou

IRATA ROPE ACCESS

What is Rope Access?

Rope Access is a term that describes the technical system of

getting from one spot to another by the means of moving

along ropes.

The rope access system allows operatives / technicians to

gain access to otherwise inaccessible or difficult worksite

locations as a safer and more efficient solution.

Modern rope access system is a Double Rope System. It is

a system developed specifically to target the needs for high

angled operations in the vertical environment.

Origin of Rope Access

The techniques were derived from caving and mountaineering

skills and first deployed in the 1980’s on industrial applications.

Since then equipment and expertise have advanced beyond

all recognition, with the introduction of the Industrial Rope

Access Trade Association (IRATA) taking safety standards to

ever greater heights.

This has resulted in rope access becoming the safest method of

access available today, a proven fact by the accident records

issued by IRATA every year.

What is so cool about this system

There are many benefits when using rope access. Unlike

traditional access methods, Custom Designed rope access

solutions can be utilized to fit various applications.

Among other benefits, rope access is:

• The best method to access difficult locations

• Versatile

• Cost-effective

• Efficient & Quick

• Environmentally friendly

• Much safer than any other Work at Height method

Access Difficult Locations

Access Difficult Locations

Access Difficult Locations

Access Difficult Locations

Versatile

Rope Access professionals can apply the techniques to a

wide variety of environments, from confined-space

penstocks and tower structures to complicated steel

installations.

Cost-effective

Rope Access is very economical. As fewer personnel can

accomplish faster completion, it means minimal downtime

which effectively means lower costs.

VS

Efficient & Quick

Rope Access systems are installed and dismantled quickly

and require fewer personnel than traditional access

methods. Less interference with other facility operations means less disruptions and minimized downtime.

VS

Environmentally friendly

Rope Access techniques and equipment has minimal effect

on the surrounding environment compared to traditional

access methods.

VS

Safer than any other W@H method Independently certified rope access technicians uphold an exceptional safety record, which makes it one of the safest jobs in the whole construction industry.

Back-up device conforms to: • EN 12841 – type A • EN 353-2

Safety Rope, conforms to: EN 1891 – type A

Working Rope, conforms to: EN 1891 – type A

Descender device, conforms to: • EN 341 – class A • EN 12841 – type C • NFPA 1983 Work seat: prevents suspension syncope due to prolonged suspension

Trained and independently assessed by an internationally accredited third party

Ascending device, conforms to: • EN 12841 – type B • EN 341

Independently attached ropes rigged for rescue

This photo has been taken from his Rope Access Supervisor

Is it all rope access safe?

NO Only IRATA Rope Access is a very SAFE system of work

IRATA International

IRATA International is a worldwide recognized organization

with its headquarters in the UK.

It sets strict guidelines and training standards on rope

access and rescue.

The IRATA system is an efficient and safe system developed

to target the needs for industrial and rescue purposes.

IRATA International

TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS

As a part of this development, the system of grading

operatives was set up.

This requires operatives to undergo independent assessments

in order to attain one of the 3 levels of qualification and as the

qualifications should be renewed every 3 years it ensures an

up to date standard of quality.

The principal guidance documents are IRATA ICOP and IRATA

TACS.

IRATA Member Companies

Each IRATA member is audited by an independent third party

auditor to ensure that it has in place correct procedures and

systems to ensure that industrial rope access is carried out in

a safe manner.

Each company is obliged to work in accordance with the

conditions laid down in the International Code of Practice,

which the Health and Safety Executive (UK) have

commended.

All IRATA Member Companies have their unique IRATA

Member Company Number

An IRATA Members List could be found in IRATA website:

www.irata.org

IRATA - Quality Control to Ensure Safety

PERSONNEL - TRAINING

Highly systematic and comprehensive training to cover:

Equipment Selection

Equipment Setup

Equipment Inspection

Limitations of Equipment

Rigging / Rope Protection

Various on Rope Manoeuvres

Various Rescue Techniques

Risk Assessment

Making Work Plan

Making Rescue Plan

IRATA - Quality Control to Ensure Safety

PERSONNEL - Levels of Qualification

IRATA L1

Able to perform basic tasks, work under supervision of a L3

IRATA L2

(requires 1000 on-rope hours + L2 Training/Assessment)

Able to perform a wider range of task, including rigging and

rescue, work under supervision of a L3

IRATA L3

(requires another 1000 on-rope hours + L3 Training/Assessment)

Able to supervise and manage a worksite, undertake risk

assessment, develop work & rescue plans for project

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IRATA - Quality Control to Ensure Safety

EQUIPMENT

Equipment is selected in accordance with the IRATA International

Code of Practice. (IRATA ICOP)

All Equipment used in Rope Access conforms to CE Standards.

Technicians are all fully trained to use the actual types/models of

equipment.

All equipment is maintained and inspected in accordance with IRATA

ICOP and LOLER.

All equipment is traceable to certificates of conformity and inspection

records.

IRATA - Quality Control to Ensure Safety

SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

All works are planned

Undertake Risk Assessment

Develop a Safe System of Work

Selection of right people

Selection of right equipment

Provide information, training & supervision

Appropriate equipment inspection & maintenance

IRATA Member Companies would ensure the above items are

all addressed and undertaken in a professional manner in order

to pass the strict audit to maintain their IRATA Membership.

Statistics - Hours on Rope

Over 9,000,000 on-rope hours are logged in the year of 2016

Statistics - Consequence of Incident

In 2016 out of those 9,000,000 on-rope hours a total of 8

reportable accidents were recorded, very sadly, including a

fatality.

Qatar W@H Safety Statistics

Year Number of Fall from Height Accidents

Number of Fall from Height Fatality

2012 about 800 ?

2013 more than 1000 ?

In Qatar, taking 2012 & 2013 as example, there are 800 &

1000 Falls from Height Accidents with unknown Fall from

Height fatalities respectively.

Comparing Various WAH (Safety) Systems

Rope Access proactively prevents falls as the system is in

tensioned. Bodyweight of operative is already supported by the

system, instead of by the strength of arms. In addition, a extra

backup system is always in place. Work Restraint proactively prevents falls as the system

has already restricted the operative from going near the fall risk

area. Fall Arrest can only passively minimize the consequences

of falls as loose/slack ropes/lanyards are allowed in the system.

Bodyweight of operative is fully/partially supported by structures with

the use of strength of arms/feet and balance.

Thank you

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HSE Commendations

IRATA International code of practice for industrial rope access

Although there is a steady decline in the number of injuries caused by falls;

falls from height remain the most common kind of workplace fatality. They

are the biggest single cause of serious and fatal injuries arising from

construction and maintenance activities. Safety when working at height is

essential, and making sure that people use access equipment properly is a

key part of this.

HSE recognizes that, within the variety of work at height methods available,

rope access is an accepted technique to use in appropriate circumstances.

I am please to continue HSE’s support of IRATA’s guidance in this area.

This voluntary code of practice sets out good practice for individuals and

organizations using rope access equipment and will help to ensure that

health and safety risks in this area are minimized or avoided.

Philip White

Chief Inspector of Construction, HSE

HSE Commendations

The Offshore Safety Division of HSE concurs with the continued general

support by HSE of IRATA's voluntary code of practice. Use of this code

practice is also commended for offshore working when rope access

methods are required.

Rog Thomson

HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety,

Offshore Safety Division

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Standards

BS 7985:2002 - Code of Practice for the Use of Rope

Access Methods for Industrial Purposes

IRATA International Code of Practice (ICOP)

ISO 22846-1 - Personal Equipment for Protection Against

Falls - Rope Access Systems - Part 1: Fundamental

Principles for a System of Work

ISO 22846-2 - Personal Equipment for Protection Against

Falls - Rope Access Systems - Part 2: Code of Practice

Thanks!