Rope access and abseil equipment
Ensure your team is able to safely conduct abseil and rope access activities for a variety of purposes by having the most comfortable and suitable PPE available.
Undertaking rope access and abseiling to complete wrk tasks presents a unique set of challenges for workers, compared to more typical working at heights scenarios where fall protection is the goal.
There are a many reasons for needing to undertake abseil or rope access work, with common ones being facade maintenance, window washing on high-rise commercial buildings as well as repair and maintenance work on bridges.
No matter your rope access or abseil needs, Height Safety Engineers have the expertise to assist in providing the most practical, useful and compliant PPE and safety equipment. Call our team on 1300 884 978 or email enquiries@heightsafety.net.
Abseil for facade maintenance and repairs
Facade maintenance and repairs is one of the most common needs for performing rope access or abseil in commercial settings. On high-rise buildings, like commercial office blocks in city centres, often abseil is the only means to access the external areas of a building beyond the first few stories.
When undertaking rope access for facade maintenance, there are different types of anchorages that may be used by the worker to support them as they work. Typically, these are either some sort of abseil-rated fixed anchor point, a davit arm or rigid rail system designed for facade access use.
Safely and effectively completed rope access and abseil work typically requires the use of a harness designed specifically to suit these needs. Unlike a fall protection harness, abseil and rope access harnesses can be work under tension for extended periods of time while remaining comfortable for the worker and having no risk of their suffering from suspension trauma.
Depending on the access system and the work being undertaken, ascenders and descenders may be used to assist in work positioning.
One often unconsidered aspect of safety when doing abseil or rope access work is the risk of injury from tools and materials being dropped. Tools and materials should always be securely tethered.
Rope access in confined spaces
Abseil work is not just completed on the sides of buildings or off bridges. In some circumstances, rope access work is conducted inside confined spaces – such as silos.
When working in confined spaces like this, there is often a need to use appropriate PPE for the environment alongside that for the abseil work.
Gas detection equipment is vital for ensuring that workers are kept safe from airborne contaminants, and in situations where the atmosphere of the confined space is not safe, that breathing apparatus is work and used correctly.
Completing abseil and rope access work in confined spaces introduces additional risks for the worker that should be analysed and mitigated prior to starting work.
Finding the right PPE is key
Every job site is different, and every site worker does things differently. There is rarely a situation where there is a one-size-fits all solution when it comes to PPE and safety equipment. The team at HSE are dedicated to taking the time to understand each of our clients’ individual needs and sourcing the most appropriate, cost effect and comfortable PPE for them. At our training facility in Sydney, we can even let you come in and try before you buy to really make sure that your equipment is going to be right for you and right for the job, every time.
To discuss your safety equipment needs, call our team on 1300 884 978 or email enquiries@heightsafety.net.
