IRATA Update on Rope Access Fatality

The recent incident that lead to a fatality in the North Sea is being investigated by the police and the HSE.

 

As soon as any information is released into the public domain by the police or HSE, then IRATA will ensure that this information is available on the website.

The Association offers our condolences and sympathy to the family and friends for their tragic loss.

IRATA have offered assistance to both the police and HSE, and are committed to providing accurate information and advice to members as quickly as can be achieved. At this stage, the only official sources that we can direct members to are the following memos which were released subsequent to the incident, and are from the operating company for whom the deceased worked:

MEMO 1: WORKSITE PLANNING
When planning work scopes particular attention should be paid to the selection of anchors to ensure that all anchors selected are suitable and within the requirements of TMS/23/P/11 and the section 2.7.9 (anchors) of the IRATA ICOP.

Where working lines have the potential to come into contact with or be abraded by an edge, thought should be given to the use of rigging techniques such as deviations or re-anchoring (re-belay). Techniques to consider are the use of specific knots to control angles to within safe working limits.

If anchors do not allow for deviation then, both ropes should be suitably protected with the supplied canvas rope protector. The rope protector should be suitably attached to the backup line using a suitable prusik knot or similar, this is to ensure that the rope protector is securely attached to the backup line and remains in the position intended for the duration of the task.

Both ropes should then be placed into the rope protector and the rope protector closed using the Velcro fastener.

In addition to fitting a rope protector edge protection should be fitted to the structure where the risk assessment identifies an increased risk of damage to the rope, due to the nature or condition of the edge or the ropes moving out of the rope protector.

Memo 2: Important Safety Notice:- Reminder to all Rope Access Technicians

Subject: - Damage to Ropes from Edges

Company procedures and IRATA ICOP must be carefully followed regarding methods on how to protect working and safety back up ropes from abrasion, hot surfaces and cuts from edges.

1.0 Where the risk assessment identifies an increased risk of damage to ropes from abrasion, hot surfaces and cuts from edges this MUST be avoided by rigging ropes in such a manner so as to avoid the ropes coming into contact with edges or hot surfaces.

1.1 Rigging
This can be achieved by selecting anchors which allow for ropes to be rigged directly above the drop or by using a “Y” hang, thus avoiding edges or hot surfaces.

1.2 Deviation
If the anchors are not in a suitable location for rigging directly above, then ropes may be deviated using a side anchor to avoid the edge.

1.3 Rebelay
A re-belay (re-anchor) may also be used to avoid the exposure to constant abrasion from an edge.

The above methods are the most effective in protecting ropes from abrasion, hot surfaces and cuts from edges and should be used whenever possible.

2.0 Where it is not possible to use any of the above methods and where the risk assessment identifies that there is ANY possibility of ropes coming into contact with an edge then the edge/hot surface should be covered with suitable protective material.

2.1 Protective Edge Mat
This method is where a rubber mat, plastic plate or thick tough material is placed over the edge and secured to the structure.

2.2 Protective Edge Roller or Plate
An edge roller or plate is an option for protecting the rope from abrasion on an edge. It is usually placed over the edge and secured to the structure and the ropes are run over the bearing wheel or plate. As an alternative 50 mm diameter scaffold tubes positioned to protect from any edges, will provide adequate protection.

As technicians will already be aware there is another method of protection from edges and that is the use of fabric rope protectors.

3.0 Rope Protectors

3.1 Double Canvas Rope Protector
A rope protector provides some protection from edges to working and safety ropes but must not be used in isolation. It must be securely attached to the rope by means of a non-slip knot or other fixed point to avoid slippage and subsequent exposure of the rope to an edge/hot surface.

It is worth noting that all three methods of rigging, edge protection and rope protection may be used in combination to protect ropes from edges or hot surfaces.

References
IRATA ICOP 2.7.10, 2.11.3.2, 2.11.8
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE) Research Industrial Rope Access – Investigation into items of personal protective equipment section - 5 Rope Protectors - http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/crr_pdf/2001/crr01364.pdf
If you are in any doubt STOP work immediately and contact your supervisor, onshore focal point or company HSEQ dept.