Rope access is a method of working at height using a two rope system and specialist hardware in order climb or abseil into difficult to reach locations. The two rope system we use follows the stringent IRATA guidelines and codes of practice (IRATA ICOP), it uses a main rope which supports the worker in place and a backup rope which is 100% redundant for in the extremely unlikely event of a main line failure.

Within IRATA there are three levels of rope access technician, level one technicians are trained to be competent at basic manoeuvres and rigging, and are able to carry out a simple rescue. Level 2 technicians are trained in more complex rigging and rescue scenarios. Level 3 technicians are the rope access supervisors, trained in complex rigging and rescues scenarios and are trained to coordinate team rescues. IRATA states that the minimum crew requirements is 2 technicians one of which must be Level 3.

Rope access started in the UK over 30 years ago, providing access and maintenance services to oil and gas platforms in the North Sea. Since then its uses have grown and it is becoming an industry standard across the globe for working at height.