It's important that you fully understand the intricacies, features and potential mis-use of the tools that you're working with, and how to take care of them. You should consider this one of your primary responsibilities as a rope access technician.
On Evaluation day, ALL TECHS should be able to demonstrate (with a more thorough understanding expected of L2 and especially L3 techs) an awareness of:
L3 techs are additionally responsible for managing and carrying out an employer’s equipment management program, as required by SPRAT's Safe Practices for Rope Access Work.
Deviations, re-anchors, and edge guards help to protect your equipment (the above examples specifically protect your rope system) so that they’ll last longer, but over time the strength and functionality of every device will naturally begin to deteriorate and needs to be inspected regularly.
There are three types of equipment inspections you should be aware of and implementing:
If a piece of equipment is being used to support you in suspension, there should be absolutely no danger of it ever becoming accidentally removed, dislodged or unfastened from the rope system.
A lot of the information you’ll need to know about your rope access equipment is written right on the equipment itself. Each piece of equipment will have a technical specifications sheet, that will tell you about its standards, storing procedure, proper handling and use and expiry date. Each piece of equipment will also have an identifier that can be traced back to inspection records and certificates. ALWAYS read the manufacturers instructions before use.
You'll be formally evaluated on your knowledge here during the field oral practical portion of your evaluation, but how you interact with your gear will also be observed throughout the evaluation session, so be prepared for that.
Specifications taken from section 10 of Safe Practices for Rope Access Work and Appendix 1 of the SPRAT Certification Requirements.
Please note that the following is a summary only, and that you are responsible for additionally going through the source material to adequately prepare for your Evaluation.
Your helmet protects you from a potential impact from above (falling debris, a dropped piece of equipment, etc), but also from the side -- although side protection is limited. You want your helmet to fit properly and snugly on your head with the chin strap fastened!
As soon as you enter the work zone, your helmet should be on and fastened. Accidentally leave the ground without fastening your helmet and you could be facing a discrepancy or fail.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, verify that the adjustment controls and chin strap buckle are functioning properly, and that the webbing attachments on the helmet are secure. You should also be checking the helmet shell for cracks or chips and discolouration from chemicals (avoid putting excessive stickers on your helmet), and the webbing for glazing, cuts or frays. Check the entire helmet for any evidence of excessive UV exposure.
Your harness is designed for both suspension and fall protection. You want your harness to be fitted and adjusted accordingly: snug at the chest and waist, leg loops and rear riser straps for leg loops tightened, and Dorsal (back) D ring in the correct location.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, make sure the buckles have been properly latched and the hard links tightened. There should be no twists in the webbing. You should also be checking the metal connections for excessive corrosion or deformation, and the webbing for glazing, cuts, or frays.
Carabiners connect the components in your rope access system together, and should have a minimum strength of 22 kN (5,000 lbs). Their screw gates or self-locking methods of closure provide the required level of security for rope access work.
If you're using a carabiner to clip into a steel cable, shackle, or eye bolt, the device should be made out of steel to prevent unnecessary wear. If it's being clipped into any type of anchorage, the carabiner you're using should also be an appropriate design and size, and be able to rotate freely without any type of interference or without loosening the anchorage.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, ensure that the screw gates are properly oriented (to prevent unscrewing by gravity and shaking) and that the locking feature is working properly. You should also check for nicks, abrasions, and excessive corrosion.
Your backup device is designed to arrest a fall in the case of a main system failure (ie the failure of your descending or ascending device). It should be used with compatible connections (e.g. energy absorbers or specific lanyard length and type) and should be constantly adjusted as you climb so that your free fall potential is minimal.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, verify the functionality of all moving and spring-loaded parts, and for any evidence of excessive wear in areas where the device comes in contact with the rope or other connectors. You should also be checking for deformities or cracks.
Your descender is designed to control the speed of your descent, but you can also use it to ascend short distances. Do not side load your descender. When it's not in use, leaving your descending device attached to the ventral (waist) D ring on your harness, will ensure that you are ready to go at any moment, and prevents a critical piece of equipment from being dropped if attempting to move it around your harness at height.
When used properly, this device should not cause undue stress to the ropes when breaking. Normal use of the device should not cause abrasion, plucking, or stripping of the sheath of the rope system.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, verify the functionality of all moving parts and ensure that the moving side plate closes properly. You also want to check for any deformities, burring at connection point, and that the rope channel is unobstructed.
This is a paired system, made up of a chest ascender and hand ascender. Your ascending devices are designed for ascending and static suspension, but can also be used to descend short distances. Keep fall potential at a minimal and avoid dynamic loads completely when using these devices.
Neither your hand or chest ascender should ever be used as a backup system. They should present minimal risk of damage to the ropes when in use.
In certain scenarios, you may use your hand ascender for rope grabs in hauling or other systems, as long as the manufacturer specifies that it will not slip at a static load below 2.25 kN (506 lbf).
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, verify the functionality of all moving and spring loaded parts and that the rivet (a permanent mechanical fastener) which holds together the metal plates is present. You'll also want to check for burring at the connector interface, flaring of the rope channel, sharp edges, and that the teeth are in good condition.
Most of the ropes you use in rope access will be made out of nylon or polyester, but ropes made of other man-made material can be useful in specific situation (use caution here when verifying their suitability for the work you're doing). The safety factor for a rope access system should never be less than 5:1.
A ropes elongation can vary between static, low stretch, and dynamic. It's important that you understand which type of rope you're working with, and select compatible equipment. Static or Low Stretch Ropes is normally used for ascending or descending on a rope, and dynamic rope should if there's a fall potential that's more than .25.
Inspection requirements:
As part of your pre-use check, complete a tactile and visual inspection by looking at UV or chemical exposure, glazing, thin or soft areas, pliability, and core exposure.
We’ll go into further detail on all of the above during your training week.
Additional resources to check out
Appendix 1 of the SPRAT Certification Requirements for the equipment criteria for your Field Oral Evaluation.
Section 10 of Safe Practices for Rope Access Work for equipment requirements (it is important that all levels familiarize themselves with this document)
L1 Techs
L2 Techs
L3 Techs
This is part of an ongoing series, where we’re breaking down the SPRAT Syllabus and clarifying exactly what will be expected of you on your evaluation day. To continue exploring this series and learn more about SPRAT's Technician Evaluation Form, please click below: