Rope Access

The function and practice of rope access are described in ISO 22846-1 and ISO 22846-2, and the components of a rope access system must comply with EN 363 and EN 12841:2024. A rope access system enables the user to work safely and efficiently in advanced situations at height. It consists of a work rope EN 1891 Type A for ascending and descending with the help of various rope adjustment devices EN 12841 Type B (ascender) or Type C (descender). It must always be combined with a safety rope EN 1891 Type A, which, with a fall arrest device EN 12841 Type A (back-up) or EN 353-2 guided type fall arrester, arrests any fall caused by a work rope failure or human error. Since the user is suspended most of the time, a comfortable full body harness EN 361 with an integrated sit harness EN 813 must be used. For work performed entirely in suspension, a work positioning seat is recommended.

Access from Above

Access from above is the simplest solution to reach a work area, avoiding ascent from below, which requires significant energy. In this case, it may be sufficient to use a rope adjustment device EN 12841 Type C, which only allows descent on the work rope EN 1891 Type A. This must always be combined with a fall arrest device EN 12841 Type A or an EN 353-2 guided type fall arrester on the safety rope EN 1891 Type A.

Access from Below

If access from below is necessary with pre-installed ropes, or when sections of rope must be ascended, the ascent is performed with a rope adjustment device EN 12841 Type B mounted on the chest of a full body harness EN 361 and an EN 813 sit harness, and an additional EN 12841 Type B rope adjustment device combined with a foot loop, enabling efficient upward movement with minimal energy loss. This must always be combined with a fall arrest device EN 12841 Type A or an EN 353-2 guided type fall arrester on the safety rope EN 1891 Type A.

Access from Above and Below

If the user is suspended and needs to climb short distances, the worker can use EN 12841 Type B and Type C rope adjustment devices that also allow climbing, combined with a handheld EN 12841 Type B rope adjustment device and a foot loop. This configuration enables the user to easily and instantly switch between descent and ascent. It must always be combined with a fall arrest device EN 12841 Type A or an EN 353-2 guided type fall arrester on the safety rope EN 1891 Type A.

Note: If a risk assessment indicates that an alternative configuration to the safety rope (back-up) would reduce overall risk, this can be used — for example, a retractable type fall arrester EN 360 with an integrated rescue lifting device EN 1496 Class B, mounted on a Tripod EN 795 Type B. Such a configuration is particularly suitable for lowering into a confined space where the ability to lift a casualty is required.