Professional Rope Access A Guide To Working Safely at Height
, by Mccurley, Loui
- ISBN: 9781118859605 | 111885960X
- Cover: Hardcover
- Copyright: 6/27/2016
Guides the reader in the development and maintenance of a rope access program
- Provides comprehensive guidance for employers, safety managers and rope access technicians to develop, maintain, and manage a rope access program
- Offers specific guidance for writing a comprehensive managed fall protection plan that includes rope access
- Thoroughly describes how to perform specific rope access maneuvers that can be used to offer greater safety when working at height
- Shows how a well-managed rope access program can be used as a tool to get more work accomplished at a lower cost and with greater efficiency than conventional methods can achieve
- Discusses and clarifies unique distinctions of equipment for rope access, as compared with equipment for fall arrest, positioning, and restraint
Loui McCurley’s pioneering efforts in safe work at height include having helped found the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians, participating in the development of ISO 22846, and numerous other standards within ANSI Z359, ANSI 459, NFPA, ASTM, and more. Loui is committed to harmonizing regulatory requirements for work at height with practical, safe methods of work and verified technician skills. Her book Falls From Height: A Guide to Rescue (Wiley, 2012) was the first of its kind in fall protection. Loui is a passionate trainer and a frequent presenter at safety conferences including the American Society of Safety Engineers, National Association of Tower Erectors, VPPAC, and the International Technical Rescue Symposium.
Notes on Contributors xiii
Foreword xix
Your Success xxiii
Preface xxv
How to use this book xxvii
Section 1 | Planning for Rope Access 1
Chapter 1 | What Is Rope Access? 3
1-1 Introduction 3
Why Choose Rope Access? 4
1-2 Foundation and Evolution of Rope Access 6
The Modern Rope Access System 6
Skills Required for Modern Rope Access Workers 7
1-3 Rope Access Compared/Contrasted with Other Disciplines 8
Rope Access Contrasted with Recreational Rappelling 8
Rope Access Contrasted with Controlled Descent 9
Rope Access Contrasted with Rope Descent Techniques 11
Rope Access Contrasted with Bosun’s Chairs 11
Rope Access Backup Contrasted with Other Backup Systems 14
WhereModern Rope Access Has Landed – The Bus You Take to Work 14
1-4 Compatibility and Work Safety 15
Fall Restraint 15
Fall Arrest 15
Fall Containment Systems 17
Suspended Scaffolds 17
Aerial Platforms and Man Baskets 17
1-5 Special Techniques 18
Aid Climbing 18
Lead Climbing 19
1-6 Practical Application of Rope Access 19
1-7 Summary 20
Chapter 2 | Rope Access and the Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Plan 21
2-1 Protecting Workers at Height 21
2-2 Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection 22
Policy Statement 22
Staff Responsibilities 23
Fall Hazard Survey 25
2-3 Hierarchy of Fall Protection 26
Types of Active Protection – Harness-Based Solutions 27
Choosing a System of Protection 28
2-4 Rope Access Work Plan 29
System Requirements 30
Safety in Rope Access Operations 31
Work Practices 32
2-5 Summary 34
Chapter 3 | Personnel Selection and Training 35
3-1 Introduction 35
3-2 Personnel Qualifications 35
Aptitude for Rope Access 37
3-3 Team Organization and Competencies 38
Technician Skills and Responsibilities 38
Supervisor Skills and Responsibilities 39
Program Manager Skills and Responsibilities 40
3-4 Training and Certification 40
Training Records 41
Training Outline 41
Advanced Levels of Certification 45
Rope Access Certification Bodies 46
3-5 Summary 47
Chapter 4 | Equipment for Rigging 49
4-1 Equipment for Rigging Rope Access Systems 49
4-2 How to Choose Equipment for Rigging in Life Safety Situations 50
4-3 The Difference Between Personal Equipment and Rigging Equipment 52
4-4 Rigging Equipment for Fall Arrest 52
4-5 Rigging Equipment for Cranes Versus Rigging Used in Rope Access 53
4-6 Rigging Equipment for Suspended Scaffolds 54
4-7 Rigging Equipment for Rescue 54
4-8 Rope 55
4-9 Connectors 59
4-10 Hardware 63
4-11 Mechanical Anchorage Connectors 65
4-12 Anchor Slings 67
4-13 Summary 69
Chapter 5 | Personal Equipment for Rope Access 71
5-1 Introduction 71
5-2 Essential Requirements 72
5-3 Harnesses 74
5-4 A Note About Comfort Seats (Seatboards) 76
5-5 Helmets 77
5-6 Lanyards 78
5-7 Connectors 79
5-8 Descending Devices 80
5-9 Rope Access Backup Devices 84
5-10 Ascenders 86
5-11 Gloves 88
5-12 Clothing and Personal Wear 89
5-13 OTHER PPE 89
5-14 Equipment Traceability and Recordkeeping 89
5-15 Summary 90
Section 2 | Skills for the Rope Access Technician 91
Chapter 6 | Rigging Concepts 93
6-1 Principles at Work in a System 94
Gravity 94
Friction 94
Angles 96
Vector Forces 99
6-2 Using the Principles 107
Mechanical Advantage 107
Load Ratios 111
Safety Factors 112
6-3 Summary 114
Chapter 7 | Rope Terminations and Anchorages 115
7-1 Rope and Knot Terminology 116
7-2 Rope Terminations 118
7-3 Manufactured Terminations 118
7-4 Knots 119
Stopper Knots 119
End-of-Line Knots 120
Midline Knots 124
Knots (Bends) That Join Two Ropes 125
Knot Safety 127
Hitches 128
7-5 Knots and Rope Strength 132
7-6 Anchorages 132
Classifications of Anchorages 133
Anchorage System Performance 134
Positioning the Anchorage System 135
Back-Ties 136
Direct Attachment 136
Load Sharing Anchor Systems 138
Angles in Anchor Systems 141
Change of Direction 142
7-7 Summary 143
Chapter 8 | Rope Access Systems 145
8-1 Compatibility 149
8-2 Access System 149
8-3 Backup System 151
8-4 Attachment to Technician’s Harness 152
8-5 Pull-through Systems 153
Pull-Through with Ground Anchor 153
Top Anchor Pull-Through with Knot 153
8-6 Changing the Fall Line 155
Directional Deviation 155
Rebelay (Re-anchor) Systems 156
Well-Being of the Technician 157
8-7 Summary 159
Chapter 9 | Descending 161
9-1 Introduction 161
9-2 Choosing a Descender 162
9-3 Choosing a Rope for Descent 164
9-4 Rigging for Descent 165
9-5 Getting on Rope 167
9-6 Managing the Descent 168
9-7 Tending the Backup Device 170
9-8 Passing a Knot 170
9-9 Passing a Deviation Anchor 173
9-10 Passing a Rebelay 174
9-11 Landing 177
9-12 Summary 178
Chapter 10 | Ascending 179
10-1 Selecting Ascenders 180
Handled Ascenders 180
Chest Ascender 181
10-2 The Complete Ascending System 181
Rigging the Chest Ascender 182
Rigging the Handled Ascender 184
10-3 Managing the Ascent 184
10-4 Changeovers 186
Changeover from Ascending System to Descending System 187
Using a Descender for Ascent 187
Rope-to-Rope Transfer 188
Passing a Knot in the Ropes While on Ascent 189
Negotiating an Edge or Obstruction While on Ascent 190
Passing a Deviation 191
Passing a Re-anchor (Rebelay) on Ascent 192
Transitioning Off Rope from Ascent, Onto a Platform 196
10-5 Summary 196
Chapter 11 | Advanced Techniques 197
11-1 Belays 198
11-2 Aid Climbing 201
11-3 Lead Climbing 203
11-4 Climbing with Twin Lanyards 206
11-5 Raising and Lowering Systems 207
11-6 Systems for Lowering 208
11-7 Systems for Raising 209
11-8 Cross-haul 211
11-9 Tensioned Ropes 212
11-10 Multiple Simultaneous Systems 214
11-11 Powered Assist Systems 214
11-12 Summary 215
Chapter 12 | Use of Powered Rope Access Devices 217
12-1 Precautions 217
12-2 Configuring the Device into the System 219
12-3 Configuration 1 (Sit on Top) 221
12-4 Configuration (Suspend Beneath) 223
12-5 Using the Device from a Fixed Position 224
12-6 Additional Considerations 226
12-7 Care and Maintenance 226
12-8 Summary 227
Chapter 13 | Rescue 229
13-1 Rope Access and Rescue 229
13-2 The Rescue Preplan 232
13-3 Self-Rescue 233
13-4 Coworker-Assisted Rescue 235
13-5 Noncommittal Rescue and Prerigging for Rescue 236
13-6 Co-Worker Assisted Rescue from Descent 238
13-7 Rescue from Ascent 240
13-8 Challenging Rescues 241
13-9 Standby Rescue 242
13-10 Professional Versus Coworker-Assisted Rescue 243
13-11 Conclusion 244
Section 3 | Program Administration 245
Chapter 14 | Developing a Rope Access Plan 247
14-1 Working Safely at Heights 248
Harness-Based Works 248
Fall Arrest 250
Work Positioning 250
Rope Access 251
14-2 Necessary Elements of a Rope Access Program 251
Rescue 251
One Rope or Two? 252
Avoid the Fall 253
Team Works 253
Team Documentation 254
14-3 Work in a System 254
Supervisor 255
SuitableManagement 255
Summary 256
Chapter 15 | Developing a Policy Statement 257
15-1 Questions to Consider 257
15-2 Putting it all Together 262
15-3 Congratulations! 263
Chapter 16 | Writing a Work Order 265
Summary 268
Chapter 17 | Establishing a Work Plan 269
17-1 Summary 273
Chapter 18 | Performing a Job Hazard Analysis 275
18-1 The Process 275
18-2 Content 276
18-3 Using the JHA 278
18-4 Summary 279
Chapter 19 | Fall Hazard Survey/Assessment 281
19-1 Conducting the Survey 281
19-2 Survey Contents 283
19-3 Using the Survey 283
19-4 Fall Hazard Mitigation 284
19-5 Summary 284
Chapter 20 | Creating a Rescue Preplan 287
20-1 Emergency Response Planning 287
20-2 Fall Rescue Planning 289
20-3 Coordination with External Resources 293
20-4 Summary 293
Chapter 21 | Training Records 295
21-1 Certification Records 295
21-2 Technician Records 296
21-3 Employer Records 297
21-4 Program Administrator Training 298
Chapter 22 | Equipment Inspection and Care 301
22-1 Specifying Equipment 301
22-2 Placing Equipment into Service 302
22-3 Equipment Inspection 302
22-4 Cleaning 303
22-5 Retirement 304
Chapter 23 | Rope Access Program Audit 307
23-1 Components of an Audit 307
23-2 Management 308
23-3 Practices 309
23-4 Equipment Management 311
23-5 Recordkeeping 312
23-6 Summary 312
Knowledge Check 313
Glossary 339
Index 343
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