Selecting a rope access provider …what you need to know.
Choosing a rope access company can be a daunting task. It’s not as easy as performing a Google search and hoping for the best. As a customer, you need to understand the regulations, requirements and qualifications that both the company and its rope access technicians need to possess, to successfully perform the intended work.
Industrial rope access, what is it?
Industrial rope access is a specialised method of working at height whilst suspended vertically in a harness, initially developed from techniques used in climbing and caving; it utilises functional rope work to achieve a safe work position. It allows workers to safely access difficult-to-reach locations while removing the operational expenses associated with the use of scaffolding, cradles or elevated work platforms.
The application of industrial rope access requires a high level of competency on the part of the user. Technicians use a twin-rope system, a main working rope supports the worker whilst a secondary safety rope provides back-up fall protection in the event of an emergency. This technique of working at height enables access to otherwise impossible locations, safely and quickly, and applies to several industries, environments and work assignments, including:
- Offshore Oil & Gas
- Power & Petrochemical
- The natural environment
- The built environment
- Shipping & harbours
- Confined spaces
- Renewable energy
Rope access providers, what to look for, questions to ask
There are numerous rope access companies available to clients requiring their services, but how do you confidently make an informed decision when it comes to the selection process? At the end of the day, the appointment of a provider lies with you, the customer. However, the company should be able to answer any relevant questions and satisfy the requirements of the following criteria:
- Qualifications – Do your technicians have the appropriate trade specific qualifications to perform the required tasks?
- Rope access certification – Do your technicians hold appropriate rope access certifications to perform rope access work as required by the certifying bodies and industry guidelines?
- Experience – Does your company have rope access technicians that are experienced to warrant safety, productivity and effective on-site supervision for our project?
- Insurance – Do you carry a full complement of insurances that provides appropriate coverage to safeguard all parties: the client, the public, employees and the structure?
- Documentation – Do you have all the required documentation completed and up-to-date prior to project kick-off?
- Guarantees – Do you offer a warranty that covers both workmanship and products?
- Safety record – Do you have a proven safety record?
- Equipment register – Do you have an up-to-date equipment register?
These questions are by no means exhaustive. However, they do cover the principal areas of concern you need to be aware of. The more detailed your questions, the easier it will be to make your final decision and committing to engage a service provider. If each of the questions above can’t be answered with a confident “Yes,” and backed by evidence, it may be worth considering other options.
RIGCOM industrial rope access services, your questions answered
Whether it is high-rise buildings, wind turbines, confined spaces or industrial facilities, RIGCOM can help extend the life of your assets and maximise their efficiency through our professional rope access services.
At RIGCOM, we understand that selecting the right service provider can be challenging. You want a rope access company that can do the job safely, efficiently and with your best interests in mind. We’ve answered the questions outlined above to help get you started on the evaluation process; see our answers below.
| Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifications | Yes | RIGCOM’s technicians are highly experienced with a diverse range of qualifications to meet job requirements and undertake a variety of trades, including electrical, plumbing, concreting, rigging, mechanical, engineering, welding, painting, waterproofing and telecommunications. |
| Rope access certification | Yes | RIGCOM’s technicians hold current and valid rope access qualifications which are required to be re-validated every three years. Each re-validation course is undertaken over a minimum of four days, and final assessments are conducted by an independent Assessor. Projects, hours worked, training and skills performed are recorded in a unique Logbook under the IRATA International requirements. |
| Experience | Yes | We have an ideal mix of proficient level II and III rope access technicians with suitable experience in a variety of rope access work and supervision. |
| Insurance | Yes | We carry all relevant insurance policies, including workers compensation, Professional Indemnity and $20 million Public Liability insurance. |
| Documentation | Yes | We provide comprehensive site documentation, including permits, safe work method statements, risk assessments and rescue plans, all completed and readily available. |
| Guarantees | Yes | We provide a workmanship warranty, supported by manufacturer product warranties to give our clients complete peace of mind. We guarantee not to sign off on our works until you are 100% satisfied. |
| Safety record | Yes | We have an impeccable safety record and can provide reference sites and clients that can attest to this. |
| Equipment register | Yes | We maintain comprehensive records employing an electronic asset management system in tandem with RFID tagged tools and PPE to record critical data that includes inspections, maintenance and service history. |
Looking for a professional rope access solution? Contact us today to discover more about the RIGCOM difference and get all your questions answered.
