Rope access technicians, riggers, abseilers, climbers, commercial climbers, industrial climbers.

Some of the terms used to describe the people who utilise a methodology of vertical and horizontal movement in suspension via ropes to gain access to hard to reach, exposed or confined locations.

The use of rope access serves a broad spectrum of locations, industry's and professions. from assisting with the maintenance and inspections of man made structures such as wind turbines, bridges, power plants and skyscrapers to providing access to some of natures natural formations and organic structures like volcanos, mountains, sea cliffs and tropical canopy's.

There are various associations governing the use of rope access techniques from industry to arboriculture, although all are very similar in their fundamental practice, each have subtle nuances which have become a tradition within their relevant fields. For instance a tree surgeon will use different equipment and PPE to access a tree than what an industrial rope access technician will use to access a building. although these lines are being consistently blurred, each borrowing techniques from one another in providing more efficient and creative forms of access.

The international rope access trade association was formed in 1987 to address the need for proper legislation and guidelines for rope access technicians. The HSE promptly recognised these standards in 1992. Since the early nineties the number of technicians has steadily grown, currently there are over 200,000 technicians registered on IRATA's database of training. Still a relatively niche number in comparison to other industries.

A rope access technician accessing the inaccessible.

So what does it take to become a rope access technician?

A stomach for heights and a problem solving intellect are some of the attributes a technician needs to foster. The work is physically and psychologically demanding. Unless the natural born fear of heights is to be repressed the individual will need to work on accepting the limits of feeling comfortably, uncomfortable. A logical approach to anchor selection and rigging will need to be learnt, providing creative solutions in various environments, encouraging teamwork and communication to achieve the desired result.

Rope access is a game best played with a team. You and your colleagues will rely on one another with your lives. providing reassuring rescue cover, safety isolations, real time risk assessments and safe rigging methodology. Like any apprentice, these skillsets and attributes are not implicit within the individual, they must be taught with patience. Allowing the necessary space, time and financial freedom to create a team that can operate intuitively of one another's strengths and weaknesses.

The concept of industrial rope access was born from a small thinktank of individuals, cavers and mountaineers. needing financial freedom to pursue that which was important to them, they created something that is equally as important to our collective world. Lets build upon their contribution, by investing our time and energy in furthering the evolution of “accessing the inaccessible”

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Rope access technicians