WORKING AT HEIGHT
THE REAL HIGH FLIERS
For rope access technicians, two anchor points and a safety line are all they need to get to work. Here, Richard Knight, Technical Project Manager at Access North Structures, explores what it takes to thrive in this challenging profession.
For those with office-based jobs, the idea of spending 9-5 dangling from a rope may seem like a bizarre concept. But for rope access professionals, it’s an inherent part of the role. It goes without saying that it’s not one for the faint-hearted, as technicians can be employed to work at considerable heights – with site locations ranging from inside factory facilities to the top of skyscrapers, and any conceivable type of structure in between.
So, what exactly does it take to carve out a career as a rope access technician?
PRACTICAL SKILLS Rope access isn’t a job in itself. Yes, a mastery of abseiling techniques and commitment to upholding health and safety standards are important, but it’s the practical skills honed by technicians that make this a real profession.
Rope access workers can have a whole array of different skill-sets, but most are trained in a specific trade – whether that’s as a joiner, builder or engineer, to name just a few examples. It’s these skills that technicians put to use day-to-day whilst working at height – the ropes are just there to get them to where they need to be.
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INDUSTRY TRAINING The most widely-renowned industry qualification for rope access workers is awarded by IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association). There are three levels to this accreditation – Level 1 being the foundation, which entails a week-long training course covering how to abseil to a point. To reach Level 2, a minimum of a year’s experience and 1,000 logged hours on the ropes are required, with Level 3 necessitating a further 12 months and a total of more than 2,000 recorded hours.
At Level 3, a technician becomes a qualified rope access supervisor – a role required on every assignment to oversee other workers. They are responsible for the safety and management of the rest of the team on-site.
TEAMWORK Working as part of a team is hugely important, as communication is ultimately what keeps people safe at height. Being able to follow instructions is crucial, as is open- mindedness and the ability to solve problems on-the-spot. Sometimes, it’s only when you’re on the ropes that you can see the extent of the work required, so technicians often have to act fast to devise complete solutions.
On a more social note, good team relationships and rapport is central to the job. Technicians are required to work together incredibly closely for up to five hours at a time, so getting on with each other certainly makes it more enjoyable for everyone involved.
FLEXIBILITY One of the most attractive parts of the job is how varied it is – one day you can be on a building site and the next cleaning a ship. But that’s also one of its main challenges. No two days are the same and a great deal of travel is involved too. Whilst this may sound appealing, in practice it means long days and a lot of time spent away from loved ones.
That’s not to say that it’s not rewarding – every day is an adventure and there’s nothing quite like showing people envy- inducing shots from your work at the top of a rollercoaster or skyscraper. But it’s not just a job – it’s a lifestyle choice, which isn’t for everyone. People who enter the occupation purely for money rarely last long.
Access North Structures is a rope access specialist, with expertise in maintenance at height, fall protection, ETFE and tensile fabrics. Headquartered in Huddersfield, the team looks after complex structures and facilities across the UK.
www.accessnorth.co.uk www.tomorrowshs.com
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