Rope access technology

What is rope access?

Rope access is a suitable means of access for performing work at heights and in hard-to-reach areas, for example inspections or installation work on wind turbines, bridge pillars, church towers, or high-rise buildings. However, work in confined spaces (shaft and well inspections) can also require the use of rope access if no suitable means of moving around are available.

Rope access is used by specially trained experts to perform work in hard-to-reach areas. In most cases, these areas are accessed from above. People always work in teams to ensure rapid rescue in the event of an emergency.

How does rope access work?

Rope access centers around a redundant system, usually two ropes fastened to two suitable anchor points. The load-bearing rope enables progressive movement. The people working at height use this to descend or climb in order to position themselves for their work. The safety rope is solely used to arrest the rope access technicians if the load-bearing rope fails, offering a safety back-up at all times.

Equipment for rope access technicians

The basic equipment for rope access techniques includes a protective helmet, a harness for fall arrest, work positioning, and suspension, and an appropriate fall arrest system. Depending on the requirements of the task at hand, the equipment may also include various other items such as ropes, descenders, guided-type fall arresters, rope pulleys, rope clamps, and various lanyards and connectors. There are also a variety of useful accessories that make working at heights easier.

All equipment must comply with the legal requirements of the respective country and be regularly inspected.

The product features at a glance:

MEGAWATT

Ergonomically shaped two-component lever for precise control of the abseiling speed (suitable for right- and left-handers)
Compact design and short lowering lever facilitate handling and reduce the risk of catching
Anti-panic function for additional safety when lowering (device locks automatically if the lever is pushed too far forward)
Autolock function enable positioning when working at height without the need to lock off the lever or tie off the unit
Steel inserts on the abrasion-prone areas increase service life
Locking screw for semi-permanent installation in rescue systems
Opening mechanism with safety lock allows the rope to be inserted without unhooking the device from the harness
Large carabiner hole allows the carabiner to be rotated 360° in the device
Abseiling of heavy loads up to 200 kg possible
Suitable for rope diameters from 8.9 to 11.8 mm
Integrated RFID chip for simplified operational documentation

FUSE

Extremely kind on ropes thanks to the non-serrated brake jaws
Edge tested according to RFU 11.075 and therefore approved for horizontal applications
Four standards all met by one device (EN 353-2, EN 12841-A, RfU 11.075 and ANSI Z359.15)
Integrated RFID chip for easier usage documentation
Integrated cam locking function for workplace positioning or securing the rope in high winds
Incomparably good glide movement up and down the rope from the first meter
Can be easily clipped to/unclipped from the rope at any point without the device having to be detached from the harness

Rope Access: Working at Great Heights