Abseiling

'Over the edge' remains the most common way that rope access is used. Some buildings necessitate the use of a davit arm (an aluminium 'L' shaped arm that provided a rigging point over the edge) to avoid loading on fragile edges or balustrades.

 

Abseilers also have the skills and equipment to ascend a rope should they need to. For jobs which require large ascents, a petrol or battery powered ascender can be used to speed up ascent.

 

Aid Climbing

We also have the skill set to move horizontally (and vertically) using temporary anchors. Although not as common as abseiling it is still rope access and it is still the best way to access a structure. Examples include painting high-up steelwork or as the only way to access the top of a sheer face before any other work can be carried out.

 

Work Restraint/ Fall arrest

Working near an edge has the same risks as working in suspension but workers can have a false sense

of security. Rope access allows us to set up systems to prevent a worker from going over an edge

(work restraint); or to prevent injury and facilitate recovery if a worker does fall (fall arrest).

 

Slopes

For a pitched roof or embankment, rope access technicians use a mixture of abseiling and work restraint 

techniques commonly referred to as 'slope access'.