Rope Access
(It's a start, more to come!)
THESE NOTES ARE ONLY FOR INFORMATION. IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINED IN ROPE ACCESS, DON’T DO IT! THERE IS GREAT POTENTIAL TO CAUSE INJURY IF ATTEMPTED INCORRECTLY.
In the words of Q – “Always have an escape plan”. Before we start to do anything at height we must have a rescue plan, a method statement (approved code of practice), and a risk assessment. Rope access should only be done when the TSM lecturer is present.
The equipment we require for rope access is fairly extensive and specialised. The good thing about it is that if used properly it is highly unlikely to fail (most accidents are caused by user error). We require –
• 2x Ropes
You need 2, on separate anchor points. Therefore if one fails, you’re still attached to the other (though you’ll probably have a large dry cleaning bill after that).
• A Harness
This is generally heavier duty than your average fall arrest harness. It’s well padded and suitable for work positioning. As with all harnesses you should try and tuck back straps where possible, and ensure that the karabiner gate is locked shut. It’s also good to have you harness slightly tighter than comfortable on the ground – you’ll be thankful for it when you’re in the air!
• 3x Cowstails with Karabiners
These should be about the length of your arm, and be terminated onto your harness using double figure of 8 knots. You should have one on your left side and two on your right. Very useful indeed!
• A Shunt
This is your safety. Ensure it stays at roughly head height at all times, and never goes below your waist. Any lower and you can increase your fall factor to a dangerous level. This goes on your left cowstail.
• A Croll (Up Gear)
This gets secured through your harnesses chest karabiner, and is secured upright using a cable tie to your chest attachment point. This cable tie does not take any weight, it simply holds it upright. Ensure it is closed whenever it’s not in use to avoid potential damage.
• An Ascender (Up Gear)
This is attached to your middle cowstail and helps you get up ropes. It is in essence a croll attached to a handle with a footloop attached (using a quick link type thing) on the bottom. It does not count as a point of attachment.
• A Descender/Stop (Down Gear)
This helps you get down ropes again. It is attached using a karabiner onto your belt and it is vital you follow the diagram on the front (although if you’re permitted to use it muscle memory should take over!).
We also have access to double leg fall arrestors, and MGO hooks. We won’t go into these just yet. Fall arrest systems exist in the Ath auditorium and the AGOS studio. Use of fall arrest in the Ath is mandatory – this uses an inertia reel, be inducted by Kev Robertson.
The Navaho fast ones are great! Straps should be doubled back on themselves, especially the waist and leg ones. Ensure the croll is attached to the chest point (either on the same karabiner or on a separate one, through the chest and waist securing loops). Ensure the fit is snug (some prefer too tight on the ground), this will make is easier to use in the air.
Empty thy pockets! Ensure that all tools are lanyarded on. Failure to do so may result in a slap.
Get a competent buddy to check your harness and attachment points, paying particular attention to the screwgates on karabiners and straps on the harness. Once again, check your pockets.
First off attach your shunt. Make sure the wee man is pointing up on the rope and that it functions correctly. Do not hold the shunt itself, use the karabiner and wee bit of string instead.
Attach your croll. Check its function as well. It is recommended you do this whilst on tiptoe to make lowering yourself onto it more comfortable.
Attach your ascender and foot loop above the croll.
Lower yourself down onto your gear (with your right foot on the foot loop), ensuring you are directly below the point you’re climbing. Put the excess rope from your ascender on top of your right foot. You can now clamp down on this rope using your left foot, therefore allowing the croll to pass up it in a hands free fashion.
Use your leg in the foot loop to “stand up” on the rope. If you have clamped your feet the rope will also pass through the croll. Sit down on your croll, and move your ascender up the rope. Keep your shunt at head height, if it drops below waist height this is a straight IRATA fail (do not pass go, do not collect £200).
Immediately upon reaching your work position change into your descent gear. This is because if you encounter problems and require rescue it is much easier to recover someone in down gear as opposed to up gear. It is possible to ascend on your down gear, this is dealt with later.
Take your descender and thread your main line through it (as per the diagram on the unit). Take up as much slack between your descender and croll as possible to avoid problems, and put a locking loop over the top of it. Using your footloop and ascender stand up and get out of your croll (remembering to shut it again afterwards). Lower down onto your descender, and remove your ascender from the rope. Remember to tidy your footloop.
Once complete, bring your shunt down so you can hold the string and the handle on your descender using one hand only. Take out the locking loop, and hold the excess from the descender by your right thigh using your right hand. You can use this to stop rope slipping through the descender if required. Then squeeze the handle gradually until you can feel yourself descending. To stop, simply let go of the handle. If you stop for any period of time, replace the locking loop. Once on the ground, remove your descender first, followed by the shunt.