Safety ropes are ropes specifically designed for work taking place at an elevated height, such as working on roofs or scaffolding.
Lanyards and harnesses utilise safety ropes in order to secure workers at height and reduce or eliminate the risk of falling, whether from strong winds or slip and trips. These are the fall-arrest and fall-prevention harnesses, designed to halt the severity of falling and to reduce the level of movement by the worker in the area respectively. This is accomplished by the rope connecting between the body support device and the anchor point, thus allowing workers to be suspended in a fall and be rescued in the fall-arrest system and not exceed the length in the fall-prevention system.
Workers using body harnesses and lanyards must be efficient and competent in using them and the safety rope before using them, as lacking this training can result in negligent or ineffective use which could not reduce the hazard of falling from height. Safety ropes can also be used when conducting rescues from perilous access, steep terrain and multi-building areas.
IRATA (International Rope Access Trade Association) is the lead authority in the use of industrial rope, developing varying levels of training pertaining to sufficient and competent use of rope access.
These training levels are:
• IRATA Rope Access Level 1 – An entry level for trainees starting out, focusing on a specific range of rope access skills
• IRATA Rope Access Level 2 – For mechanics wanting to progress their career, featuring Level 1 skills, complex rigging, rescue and rope access skills
• IRATA Rope Access Level 3 – For technicians intending to move into supervisor roles, with Level 1 and 2 skills achieved prior to this,
Refresher training courses are also available as well as revalidation training courses for renewing Levels 1, 2 and 3.
What Can We Learn From This?
• Safety ropes are used in fall-prevention and arrest systems
• Those using safety ropes must be trained and competent
• IRATA provides training level courses
If you require any further information on our Health and Safety Services please click here. Alternatively, click on the tags below for further reading.
All our blogs are written by our expert consultants. You can contact us on 0330 088 4352, email info@auxil.co.uk or fill in the form below.
Share this post:
