Acuren Acquires Premium Inspection & Testing Group - Press Release Rope Access: An In-Depth Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS What Is Rope Access? Rope Access Services Benefits Of Rope Access Rope Access Adoption Rope Access Safety Rope Access Training Rope Access Jobs Rope Access Technician Salary Rope Access Technician Gear Rope access has been around for decades as an integral part of industrial inspections and mechanical work. In the 1980s, rope access was adopted to access challenging assets in the oil and gas industry, namely offshore oil rigs. Rope access was a game changer for difficult to access rigs and confined space entry needed for industrial inspection methods. Since, rope access has been adopted for traditional and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in addition to light maintenance work on industrial assets. What Is Rope Access? Rope access is a method used to access hard to reach and at height places with a system of ropes and hardware. Using a two rope system, technicians use mechanics similar to rock climbers that allow them to rig up to assets and repel down into spaces that need further inspection work. This access is safe when conducted by experienced technicians, with one rope supporting the technician and the second rope used as a safety rope for back-up fall protection. Having rope access as part of your inspection toolkit means you have a cost effective way to perform inspections in hard to reach places. Rope access can allow inspectors to get a closer look at problem areas, and in some cases, light mechanical work can be performed on ropes. Rope Access Services While drones are a popular tool for visual inspections, rope access allows technicians to perform many other traditional and advanced NDT services including: Visual Inspection & NDT UT, MT, PT, RT, TOFD, PMI CWI, API 510, 570, 653 etc. Radiographic Testing (RT) Guided Wave Testing (GWT) Advanced Ultrasonics Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) Shear Wave Testing Pulsed Eddy Current Testing (PEC) Infrared Inspection 3D Laser Scanning (handheld) for Corrosion Mapping Hoisting & rigging Insulation mitigation & repair Welding, weld buffing & inspection Light fabrication services Painting & coating Confined space access At times, it is not cost effective enough to justify mechanical work on ropes and scaffolding may be a better choice. However, when it is cost effective to use rope access instead of scaffolding, the savings can be substantial. For example, Premium’s rope access crew saved 1,679 scaffolds from construction over the course of a single year, leading to a net cost savings of $1.9 million for one client. View fullsize OTHER ROPE ACCESS SERVICES There are many other uses for rope access including: Concrete repair Geological surveys Instrument installation Painting Photography and cinematography Rock scaling and anchoring Sand blasting and pressure washing Sealant installation and surface preparation Set installation This is a relatively new access method. With each passing year, there are more rope access applications being discovered. Benefits Of Rope Access Rope access is incredibly versatile. It allows technicians to enter confined spaces or scale elaborate steel installations. And because it is customizable to each job, it is a safe and cost effective way to conduct inspections. Because there isn’t heavy equipment to set up rope access it is also a very efficient way to conduct inspections. Set up and take down is relatively quick which minimizes downtime. When using rope access, you can save money on personnel with lower head counts needed to complete the scope of work. Another benefit of using rope access is diminishing or even eliminating the amount of scaffolding needed on a job. Scaffolding is incredibly expensive and time consuming to build. It can take an entire day just to set up scaffolding before technicians can start conducting inspections and/or mechanical work. Rope access is a safer method than using scaffolding because each ropes technician is independently certified to perform inspections. Rope access allows technicians to inspect 95% more of industrial assets when compared to a visual inspection via scaffolding. View fullsize Another added benefit with rope access is that you can combine NDT and advanced inspection methods for reduced project completion time and increased cost savings. [Related Reading: Quarter Million Saved Using Novel Combination Of Rope Access & Drone Technology For Internal Coke Drum Inspection] Rope access is a versatile option that provides safe and quick access to hard to reach spaces, all while saving time and money by having fewer personnel, quicker turnaround times, and less equipment. We are still discovering new use cases for rope access. Rope Access Adoption Although rope access is a legitimate service offering, it has been met with some resistance. Safety is the #1 lingering concern regarding adoption. When performed correctly by qualified individuals, rope access is an extremely safe inspection method. Where does the hesitation come from? Some providers don’t want to lose large contracts and end up over promising on their qualifications. As a result, the end user’s time and money is wasted on bad or incomplete results, giving legitimate rope access programs a bad rap. Under qualified inspectors rushing an offering like rope access could mean that safety considerations are overlooked, ultimately placing team members in danger. Always ask to see a technician’s certifications. The future of rope access lies in ensuring that inspection companies are developing robust rope access programs that center around the safety of its crew. Rope Access Safety Rope access is actually an incredibly safe way to conduct inspections. Not only is it one of the oldest access methods in industrial inspections, each technician is independently certified through rigorous training. Entire companies can also be certified through certain programs. But still, rope access is still seen as an adrenaline junkie sport. However, rope access has been around since the 1980s and it is quite a refined system used by technicians today, surpassing traditional methods, like scaffolding, in safety measures. In fact, every year there are 4,500 injuries from scaffolding compared to 148 from rope access. Rope access also requires permits for inspections to be conducted on the job site. And if your ropes technician needs to enter a confined space, there is a separate permitting process for that too. This Access Permit considers the following safety measures: Public safety provisions Hazards associated with the work List of technicians by name and their duties Rope access methods used for the scope of work Rope access equipment used for the job Use of appropriate personal protective equipment Provisions for providing security to the anchor Rescue considerations, including partner rescue, self-rescue, and a way call on third-party rescue Rope access is a safer alternative to more traditional inspection approaches that has been around for more than 40 years. Rope Access Training Each ropes technician is independently certified through either IRATA or SPRAT certification programs. IRATA is an international program, while SPRAT is a US-regulated program. IRATA CERTIFICATION The International Ropes Access Trade Association (IRATA) is a certification training program that is the standard for ropes technicians and it is recognized globally. This training involves inspection techniques, repair and maintenance, and access work. There are three certification levels: Rope Access Technician I, II & III. Each level is valid for three years with revalidation required. The training lasts for a minimum of 4 days with a one day assessment after each training. A Level I Rope Access Technician is required to have a minimum 4 day training period with an one day independent assessment. Once a Level I technician has 12 months of experience and 1,000 hours logged on ropes within three years, they can train to become a certified Level II Rope Access Technician. A Level II Rope Access Technician is required to have a minimum 4 day training period in rope access and rigging and rescue with a one day independent assessment. Once a Level II technician has an additional 12 months of experience and 1,000 hours logged on ropes within three years, they can train to become a certified Level III Rope Access Technician. A Level III Rope Access Technician is required to have a minimum 4 day training period in rope access and rigging and rescue with a one day independent assessment in addition to first aid training. The training has to be renewed every three years after that. IRATA has trained upwards of 130,000 rope access technicians globally. It is extremely beneficial, if not mandatory, to become an IRATA certified ropes technician when performing industrial inspections and mechanical work. This ensures the safety of everyone on the job site. SPRAT CERTIFICATION The Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) is a ropes technician certification program that is similar to the IRATA certification. SPRAT teaches safe practices through developing national standards in the US. There are the same three certification levels: Rope Access Technician I, II & III. In order to become a SPRAT certified ropes technician, technicians have to attend a certification session, pass a verbal and written test, and complete a hands-on assessment. Below you can see a detailed outline of the SPRAT certification requirements for each rope access technician level: LOGGING ROPES HOURS For both IRATA and SPRAT certifications, each technician is required to log each hour they spend on ropes. This ensures that technicians have the proper qualifications to level up in their careers. Certification bodies and companies can request to see your hours logged booklet. Thus, it is crucial for each technician to keep close documentation of their hours on ropes and to have a supervisor sign off on those hours. These hour books should also have important information on the job at hand, including the overall details of the scope of work and if there were any risks and/or dangers the technician encountered. It’s also important that technicians note any problem solving that was involved to mitigate said dangers or risks. To level up to an IRATA Level II Ropes Technician, technicians will need to have logged 1,000 hours and have a year of experience. Level II Ropes Technicians will be able to conduct rescue maneuvers. To level up to an IRATA Level III Ropes Technician, technicians will need to have logged an additional 1,000 hours and have another year of experience under their belts. Level III Ropes Technicians will be able to conduct rescue maneuvers, administer first aid, and supervise a project. Rope Access Jobs There is a growing need for ropes technicians in several industries including: Civil, structural, and geo-technical engineers Construction workers and painters High-rise window cleaners Industrial inspections and maintenance Motion picture and theatrical set personnel Operations and maintenance workers Tower and antenna installers There are a lot of job opportunities for rope access technicians in North America. With rapidly growing industries in renewable energy, there are plentiful jobs inspecting wind turbines and solar panels. The oil and gas industry also has high demand for ropes technicians. With the right attitude, adherence to safety measures, and motivation, technicians will have plenty of opportunities to find great work. Rope Access Technician Salary As you might have suspected, rope access technicians make a tiered salary. On average, Level I Rope Access Technicians can expect to make between $20 and $35 per hour. Level II Rope Access Technicians can expect to make between $35 and $50 per hour. Level III Rope Access Technicians can expect to make $50+ per hour. These projections vary depending on cost of living for a given area, pay structure and benefits, and hours logged on ropes. One way technicians can get paid a better salary is to have other qualifications or background knowledge. If a technician is an engineer, has a skilled craft, or specialty in a related field, salaries could increase. A Level II Rope Technician, for example, may get paid less than a Level I Rope Technician who is also an infrared thermographer. When certified technicians have a desirable skill set, job opportunities are plentiful and salary is negotiable. Likewise, if technicians have a desirable skill set, some companies will pay for them to get IRATA or SPRAT certified in order to be able to conduct their useful skill set from ropes. Level III Rope Access Technicians can expect even more benefits, like a good retirement plan, paid holidays, and a good medical plan. Typically, Level III Technicians spend less time on ropes and more time supervising a ropes team. Rope access technicians can contract or work salaried positions with companies. It is not uncommon for technicians to work for 3 months on, 3 months off, or even 6 months on, and 6 months off. Working as a contractor means more flexibility and allows technicians to be free agents, taking jobs all over the world. As contractors, technicians may get larger sums of money to come in for quick jobs inspecting industrial assets where any downtime costs industries large sums of money. Rope Access Technician Gear Each technician has their own preference for what they want in their personal ropes kit. But here is a general idea of the equipment a technician may have: Ropes & rope bag Helmet Harness Ascender Descender Pulley 8 aluminum carabiners 3 steel carabiners Podium Lanyard Work positioning device Taking proper care of the rope access equipment is just as important as having the right gear. Rope access technicians should always keep their ropes clean, inspect their ropes, and use a rope bag to keep ropes properly coiled. It’s also important for ropes technicians to replace a bad rope. A frayed, melted, stiff, nicked, or flattened rope is a damaged rope that needs to be replaced. Technicians know not to step on their ropes or take descents too fast. These behaviors can lead to shortened life of the rope. Ropes that have grime can also have a shorter lifespan, so properly washing a rope in a washing machine is also crucial. Ascenders and descenders should be properly kept out of wet conditions to keep up their functions. 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