“Rope access” describes a variety of advanced access techniques where ropes and specialized equipment are used as the primary method for providing access and support to workers in their jobs at high or hard-to-reach places.

What are the benefits of rope access?

There are many benefits speaking for rope access. Unlike traditional access methods, custom rope access solutions can be designed to fit various applications. Among other benefits, rope access is:

• Versatile – rope access professionals can apply the techniques to a wide variety of environments, from confined-space to tower structures to complicated steel installations.
• Cost-effective – rope access is very economical. Rope access work doesn’t require any permits or council approval as you would when using scaffolding or cherry picker access which saves a great deal of time and effort. Because fewer personnel can accomplish faster completion it means minimal downtime which effectively means lower costs.
• Efficient and quick – rope access systems are installed and dismantled quickly and require fewer personnel than traditional access methods. Rope access technicians can arrive at a site and begin work once all safety checks and risk assessments have been completed. Rope Access also has less impact on the client in terms of obstruction and interference. Technicians are able to carry out their work with the very little disruption to the client.
• Environmentally friendly – rope access techniques and equipment has minimal effect on the surrounding environment compared to traditional access methods.
• Safe – independently certified rope access technicians uphold an exceptional safety record which makes it one of the safest jobs in the whole construction and work at height industry. Rope Access is widely considered to be a safer alternative with less risk of human error causing an accident. Technicians are highly trained, reassessed regularly and are able to check their own equipment after each use for any potential dangers. As a result the rope access industry as very few accidents unlike other techniques.

 

What are rope access services used for?

The diverse range of services which rope access offers also means a client can have one point of contact for a wide selection of requirements, from wind turbine inspection to window cleaning. With rope access support, workers can perform visual and photo inspection of buildings, bridges or any high structures.

Subsequently, workers can use rope access for maintenance of these structures such as painting, leak repair, window glass replacement, cleaning and many other tasks which require safe and reliable support for the completion of the project.

Rope access services are also used in the film industry to provide support for cameramen and actors. The same is true for photographers.

One of the most common uses for rope access service is the installation of banners and artwork including Christmas decoration.