Safety is the priority when carrying out most tasks in the working environment. When it comes to completing high risk activities, safety is the first and only priority, from choice of contractor to the management of all risks, experience and knowledge of the working environment is essential.
Rope access, working at height, industrial abseiling, whatever term is used to describe completing work at height, these will all have high levels of risk associated with them. From the initial site survey, choice of personnel, choice of equipment, safe systems of work and rescue planning, these must all be considered and planned by experts before work can take place.
So how do Rope Task provide the solutions to complex work at height scenarios? There are several key areas that we consider with our customers before any works take place:
Risk assessment – initial survey to deem that the use of rope access is acceptable and the safest form of accessing the building or structure. Using the hierarchy from the Work at Height Regulations 2005 we must assess the risks of working at height and develop a detailed safe system of work and rescue plan in case of emergency.
Team experience to complete the task we need training, extensive knowledge of work at height equipment and its limitations, industry knowledge and not just rope access trained personnel – But rope access technicians with the required knowledge and trade skills.
Choice of equipment – Edge protection, eliminating the risks from sharp and abrasive edges on ropes and webbing has become a real issue within the rope access industry. Rope and webbing are the weakest link in the rope access system so must be protected at all times. Using a specific risk assessment that identifies the use of edge protection will mitigate against the risk of abrasion. The use of metal edge protection, “A” frames, tripods and deviated ropes will also eliminate this risk.
Rescue plans must address the safety of people carrying out the rescue, anchor points for the rope rescue equipment, limitations of the equipment, how to attach the casualty to the rescue equipment, how to manoeuvre the casualty using the equipment and any medical needs of the casualty during the rescue.
IRATA Training – Rope Task have been using the IRATA training scheme since we set up our business in 1998. Our rope access manager and supervisor has now attended 8 IRATA level 3 training and assessment courses, culminating in over 23 years of rope access management experience. This experience also includes training of others in work at height disciplines including training of specialist access and rescue teams in the police and fire fighting service.
Site Supervision – IRATA Level 3 supervisor on all sites is an essential part of our safe system of work. The supervisor will monitor the rope access set up, rigging of ropes, edge protection, use of tools and protecting others that could be affected by the works.
Most importantly of all, the experience of nearly 25 years in the rope access industry gives you the knowledge that Rope Task will complete work at height with your reputation for safety our priority. Speak to our team today on 01746 866 406.