Mountaineering and industrial safety rope access are both covered rope access training. Although some people work as mountain climbing guides or instructors, the majority of jobs are in the industrial safety field. Working in high places and places with difficult access, such as mine shafts or inside chimneys, is typical of rope access jobs. Rope access jobs are divided into three categories: on-shore man-made structures, geotechnical work (which includes natural formations), and offshore structures. The primary goal of rope harnessing is to ensure worker safety in these situations.
Rope access jobs are frequently available in companies that deal with man-made structures such as buildings and bridges. Construction, inspection, and maintenance departments all have open positions. Working on tall chimneys and masts, as well as down shafts, such as mine shafts, are examples of possible jobs. Working in the field of wind energy, such as maintaining wind turbines, is one of the newest jobs for rope access workers.
The geotechnical field is another field that uses rope access specialists. Working on natural structures such as cliffs, caves, and steep slopes is a part of these jobs. Workers must frequently inspect these formations for damage and the potential for damage. A worker might be expected to assess the likelihood of a steep roadside sliding down onto a road or railway, for example. Installing anchors or incorporating grouting may be used to repair these geological formations.
Rope access jobs are available in the offshore field for qualified workers. For offshore survival, these workers frequently require additional certification and training. Inspecting and repairing the rig is one of the jobs on an oil or gas rig. Welding, rust removal, painting, and other types of maintenance work are common.
Other rope access jobs include work on steeples, trees, and power lines, as well as any other field where people must work in high places. Rope access is required in unusual professions such as theater rigging and theatrical stunt work, pest control, and ecological research.
Other skills are frequently required to qualify for a rope access job. On an oil rig, for example, a worker may be required to be both a skilled welder and a rope access worker. To work on tall structures in the construction industry, a skilled mason may need rope access experience. Cleaning windows or hanging advertising banners, for example, may not necessitate additional skills. Many of these jobs are suitable for rope access workers with little or no experience.
The type of rope access equipment that workers use is determined the job. Because the equipment must be inspected and certified on a regular basis, the company usually provides it. It’s difficult to keep track of personal property.
Mountaineering and industrial safety helmets are the two types of helmets available. The mountaineering helmet is difficult to remove, whereas the industrial safety helmet is designed to be removed if caught. Many companies combine a mountaineering helmet with an industrial safety helmet chinstrap to create safer helmets for extremely dangerous jobs.
Regional and local regulations dictate the qualifications required, but most workers require special training and certification. Some employers provide free training and certification to qualified candidates, or reimburse employees for off-site training. Rope access courses and certifications are typically offered technical schools.
Instructors and job supervisors may be available for experienced workers with rope access certifications. When a job requires a large number of rope access workers, a manager or supervisor is usually hired to ensure that everyone is properly trained, certified, and performing the job correctly. These overseers are usually in charge of inspecting the rigging and ensuring that all paperwork is current.