What is Rope Access?

IRATA International’s rope access system is a safe method of working at height where ropes and associated equipment are used to gain access to and from the workplace, and to be supported there.

The advantage of using rope access methods mainly lies in the safety and speed with which workers can get to or from difficult locations and then carry out their work, often with minimal impact on other operations and the nearby area. Another major benefit is that the combination of the total man-hours and the level of risk for a particular task (man at risk hours) is often reduced when compared with other means of access and their associated risks and costs.

The primary objective when using roped access methods is to plan, manage and carry out the work with minimal accidents, incidents or dangerous occurrences, to property or harm to the environment.

IRATA International has in place a continuously evolving regime of work procedures that members are required to follow, and which are monitored for compliance to ensure that a safe system of work is established and maintained. This sets IRATA International member companies apart from rope access companies that are not subject to such a rigorous scheme.

Like any other method of working at height, the application of rope access should be regarded as a complete system, in which planning, management, competence and suitable equipment should be treated with equal importance, as each is dependent on the others to ensure a safe system of work.