What is Rope Access?
Rope access is a safe method of working at height where ropes and associated equipment are used to gain access to and from the work position and to be supported there in compliance with BS 7985: 2013 and IRATA guidance.
Industrial Roped Access Trade Association (IRATA) is the internationally recognised standard to which operatives must be trained to carry out works of this type. IRATA has a continuously evolving regime of work procedures that technicians must follow which are monitored for compliance by a level 3 technician to ensure that a safe system of work is established and maintained.
Why Choose Rope Access?
The main advantage of using rope access methods is gaining access to locations that would be unreachable by any other means of access, often with minimal impact on other operations, surrounding areas and the environment.
Safety
Safety is our top priority in rope access. Our IRATA-certified technicians follow strict protocols to ensure a secure working environment. Choosing rope access means minimising accidents, reducing downtime, and prioritising your team’s well-being.
Adaptability
Traditional access methods have limitations, but rope access offers unmatched versatility. Our technicians easily navigate confined spaces, steep inclines, and complex structures, delivering efficient, tailored solutions.
Cost
Traditional methods involve cumbersome setups and high costs. Rope access streamlines operations, reduces setup time, minimises disruptions, and maximises productivity, offering a cost-effective solution with exceptional results.
Rope Access Standards
Rope access techniques require technicians to work at height for the full duration of the rigging where operatives are required to work in suspension for the duration of their work. Work must be carried out in accordance with BS 7985: 2013 – Code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes. The current acceptable training standard is from the Industrial Roped Access Trade Association (IRATA).
BS 7985: 2013
The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published BS EN 7985: 2013, a code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes. This new edition, which replaces BS 7985: 2009, provides supplementary recommendations and guidance to BS ISO 22846-1: 2003 and BS ISO 22846-2: 2012. It offers practical advice on the duties of employers, employees, and self-employed individuals who use specialist rope access methods for work at height. The first edition of BS 7985 was based on the Industrial Rope Access Trade Association’s (IRATA) guidelines and included contributions from the Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers, now known as the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists.
BS EN 813:2024
BS EN 813 specifies requirements, testing, marking and information to be supplied by the manufacturer for sit harnesses to be used in restraint, work positioning and rope access systems, where a low point of attachment is required. Sit harnesses are not suitable to be used for fall arrest purposes.
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Rope Access Projects
Examples of recent projects where Rope Access techniques have been implemented to install or strike our works:
NESS Energy Project
In 2021, Nationwide Safety partnered closely with Entec Design to deliver safety netting, edge protection, and access towers for a large-scale energy plant in Aberdeen.
As industry leaders in safe working at height, we take pride in our commitment to customer satisfaction and our proactive approach to minimising fall risks. Our team installed over 1500 square meters of safety netting and 300 meters of edge protection using rope access techniques, including to the Upper Enclosure roof as shown in the accompanying image.
Gillette Corner
In 2020 Nationwide Safety erected Safety Netting, Edge Protection & Access Towers to the above project with its varying roof levels and tight access.
The limited access and varying roof levels meant rope access was essential to install safety netting and edge protection.
We worked closely with our client and Harmonix Construction to provide safe working at height for all operatives on site across all the roof levels.
The photos depict the rope access technicians at work.
Due to the tight access and multiple levels of steelwork, rope access was necessary to install over 2000sqm of safety netting and 300m of edge protection to varying levels.
ABP Newport (add Huddersfield)
Following on from our completion of other works on this project we were invited to return and install via rope access safety netting & edge protection to the Calcification Building which was dense with machinery and steelwork therefore requiring installation and striking from IRATA operatives.
