Rope access is typically used on projects that are difficult or costly to access with traditional scaffolding, cranes, or other types of mobile platforms. The modern twin rope access techniques used today see each rope having a separate anchoring point and fail safe descent mechanism. There are usually two rope access technicians working together so they can assist each other in the event of an emergency or alternatively self rescue, workers are generally very well experienced in the use of ropes and would have passed rigorous testing that they must regularly update proving their ability and understanding of safe systems of work. The equipment used is inspected regularly and kept in top condition.
When inspection or repair work is required on a tall structure that cannot be accessed by another method, modern rope access technicians are used for this type of work, today many off shore oil platforms maintain full time rope access workers for inspection, maintenance repair and construction requirements.
The techniques and applications for the use of rope access lends itself very well to the steeplejack and lightning protection industry, the recent surge in the use of modern twin rope access has seen a requirement for more steeplejacks and lightning protection engineers to familiarise themselves with what is considered a more user friendly system when comparing twin rope access to the more traditional heavy duty bosun seat method of rope access historically employed by steeplejacks
