ASTM E2505-07
(Practice)Standard Practice for Industrial Rope Access
Standard Practice for Industrial Rope Access
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Access to the exterior and interior of structures is often required as part of maintenance or inspection work. Depending on the characteristics of the structure and site constraints, access can often be achieved using a number of methods other than industrial rope access, including ladders, stationary or removable suspended scaffolding, mechanical self-propelled aerial lifts, and other suitable means. There are instances where use of such means of access is not feasible or economical.
This standard provides guidance on the use of rope access as an alternative to other methods of access.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a framework of practical and technical information within which the specifying authority and the operators using rope access techniques can develop effective arrangements to help ensure the safety and health of personnel involved in these projects.
1.2 This practice applies to the use of techniques whereby access is gained to structures, man-made or natural, by means of ropes suspended from the structure. It applies to all cases where ropes are used as the primary means of support and where persons descend or ascend a rope, or traverse along a tensioned horizontal or inclined rope.
1.3 This practice applies to all industrial uses of rope access techniques except use by the fire department and other emergency services for rescue work and training in connection therewith. Fire and rescue authorities have special procedures applicable to their circumstances. This standard does not apply to other methods of working at heights, such as suspended scaffolds.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E2505 − 07
StandardPractice for
Industrial Rope Access
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2505; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This standard applies where access is gained to structures, man-made or natural, by means of ropes
suspended from the structure or the features concerned. It applies to cases where ropes are used (1)
as the primary means of support, (2) as the means of primary protection or positioning, and (3) where
operatives descend or ascend on a rope, or traverse along a tensioned horizontal rope where the use
of hands and feet can no longer be used to fully support the body.
This standard is not intended to apply where rope access techniques are used by the fire department,
other emergency services, and the armed forces. The authorities concerned with these activities have
their own standards for such work.
This standard does not apply to other methods of working at height such as steeple jacking,
suspended scaffolds, steelwork erection, or boatswain’s chairs.
1. Scope 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice provides a framework of practical and
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
technical information within which the specifying authority
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
and the operators using rope access techniques can develop
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
effective arrangements to help ensure the safety and health of
personnel involved in these projects.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 This practice applies to the use of techniques whereby
2.1 ANSI Standards:
access is gained to structures, man-made or natural, by means
ANSI 289.1 2003 Helmets
of ropes suspended from the structure. It applies to all cases
ANSI 2359.1 1992 Harnesses
where ropes are used as the primary means of support and
2.2 OSHA Regulations (Standards–29 CFR):
where persons descend or ascend a rope, or traverse along a
1910.66 App C Fall Protection System
tensioned horizontal or inclined rope.
1926.450 Scope, applications applicable to this subpart
1.3 This practice applies to all industrial uses of rope access
1926.500 Scope, application, and definitions applicable to
techniques except use by the fire department and other emer-
this subpart
gency services for rescue work and training in connection
1926.502 Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices
therewith. Fire and rescue authorities have special procedures
1926.503 Training Requirements
applicable to their circumstances. This standard does not apply
2.3 Other Standards:
to other methods of working at heights, such as suspended
CE EN361 & EN358 Harnesses
scaffolds.
CordageInstituteC11801 LowStretchandStaticLifeSafety
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
Rope
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 200
Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210.
1 4
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E06 on Perfor- Availble from the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation
mance of Buildings and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E06.55 on (UIAA) UIAA Office, Monbijoustrasse, 61 Postfach CH-3000, Bern 23, Switzer-
Exterior Building Wall Systems. land.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2007. Published August 2007. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from The Cordage Institute, 994 Old Eagle School Road, Suite 1019,
E2505-07. Wayne, PA 19087.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2505 − 07
NFPA 1983 Fire Service Life Safety Rope that dissipates a substantial amount of energy during a fall
UIAA 101 & EN892 Standard/Testing for Dynamic Ropes arrest [OSHA 1926.500(b)].
3.1.12 deceleration distance, n—the additional vertical dis-
3. Terminology
tance a falling worker travels, excluding safety rope elongation
3.1 Definitions:
and free fall distance, before stopping, from the point at which
3.1.1 anchor, n—a secure point of attachment having suffi-
the deceleration device begins to operate.
cient capacity to support elements of a suspension system or
3.1.12.1 Discussion—Deceleration distance is measured as
fall protection system (see primary anchor and directional
the distance between the location of a worker’s harness
anchor ).
attachment point at the moment of activation (at the onset of
3.1.2 ascent system, n—a type of suspension system that
fall arrest forces) of the deceleration device during a fall, and
allows a worker to ascend a working rope. the location of that attachment point after the worker comes to
a full stop [OSHA 1926.500(b)].
3.1.3 ascender, n—a type of rope grab designed to grip a
rope firmly when loaded in one direction and which can slide
3.1.13 descent system, n—a type of suspension system that
freely along the rope in the opposite direction.
allows a worker to slide down a working rope in a controlled
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Ascenders are used in pairs to ascend a
manner by means of a descender.
working rope.
3.1.14 descender, n—adevicethatactsasafrictionbrakeon
3.1.4 basic rescue, v—the unassisted controlled rescue of a
a working rope.
coworker in an emergency using a combination of fall arrest
3.1.14.1 Discussion—It is attached directly to a harness
ropes and working ropes.
with or without a swing seat to enable a worker to descend the
3.1.5 belay, v—the active use of a rope, anchor, and friction rope in a controlled manner.
system by a worker to arrest the fall of another worker.
3.1.15 directional anchor point, n—a secure point used to
3.1.6 boatswain’s chair, n—a small sitting platform that is redirect the path of a working rope and safety rope from a
suspended on a multipart tackle, allowing the worker using the
primary anchor attachment point to the edge of a structure.
boatswain’s chair to raise or lower the chair.
3.1.15.1 Discussion—The redirected ropes are reeved
3.1.6.1 Discussion—Aworker typically sits in a boatswain’s
through a pulley or carabineer, which is attached to the
chair without being directly attached to it (compare with swing
directional anchor. A directional anchor is necessary when no
seat).
suitable anchor is available at a location directly above the
intended worksite (compare with primary anchor) or to redi-
3.1.7 carabineer, n—a type of connector formed as a com-
rect ropes away from a potential hazard.
plete loop and incorporating a spring-loaded entry gate. A
locking carabineer includes a mechanism that prevents the
3.1.16 dynamic rope, n—a rope that is designed with energy
entry gate from opening when the mechanism is engaged.
absorbingcharacteristicswhichminimumcriteriaasdefinedby
UIAA 101, Cordage Institute C11801 and conforms to OSHA
3.1.8 chest harness, n—an interconnected system of web-
minimum standards.
bing straps, buckles and padding that is secured around the
chest and shoulders and which should only be used in
3.1.17 energy-absorbing lanyard, n—a lanyardthatdeforms
conjunction with a seat harness.
in a controlled manner to absorb energy during a fall arrest
3.1.9 connector, n—a device used to couple (connect) to- while maintaining its ultimate tensile strength.
gether parts of a fall protection system or suspension system.
3.1.18 failure, n—breakage or separation of component
3.1.9.1 Discussion—A connector may be an independent
parts [OSHA 1926.450(b)].
component of the system, such as a carabineer, or it may be an
3.1.19 fall protection system, n—a system used to arrest the
integral component of part of the system, such as a buckle or
descent of a worker in the event of a failure of the suspension
D-ring sewn into a seat harness, or a snap hook sewn into a
system.
lanyard [OSHA 1926.500(b)].
3.1.19.1 Discussion—Afall protection system consists of an
3.1.10 competent person, n—a person who has, through a
anchor, connectors, and harness, as well as a safety rope,
combination of training, education, and experience, acquired
lanyard, and backup rope grab or an active belay provided by
knowledge and skills enabling that person to correctly perform
another worker [OSHA 1926.500(b)].
a specified task or oversee a specified operation.
3.1.20 fall factor, n—the maximum distance a worker falls,
3.1.10.1 Discussion—A competent person is capable of
divided by the length of the rope attaching the worker to the
identifying existing and predictable hazards related to specified
anchor.
tasks and operations and has authorization to take prompt
corrective actions to eliminate those hazards [OSHA 1910.66
3.1.21 free fall, n—the act of falling before the fall protec-
App. C Section I(b)].
tion system begins to apply force to arrest the fall [OSHA
1926.500(b)].
3.1.11 deceleration device, n—any mechanism, such as a
back-up rope grab, energy-absorbing lanyard, or other device
3.1.22 free fall distance, n—the vertical displacement of the
fall arrest attachment point on the worker’s harness between
the onset of the fall and just before the system begins to apply
Available from National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101. force to arrest the fall.
E2505 − 07
3.1.23 full-body harness, n—an interconnected system of of a fall protection system. Also known as a lifeline, back-up
webbingstraps,buckles,andpaddingthatissecuredaroundthe rope, or secondary rope.
body of a worker to distribute fall arrest forces over the thighs,
3.1.37 seat harness, n—an interconnected system of web-
pelvis, waist, chest, and shoulders. A seat harness combined
bing straps, buckles, and padding that is secured around the
with a connected chest harness is considered a full-body
body of a worker to distribute fall arrest forces over the thighs,
harness.
pelvis, and waist.
3.1.24 harness, n—an assembly of webbing straps that
3.1.38 static rope, n—a rope exhibiting relatively low
encircle a worker’s body and bears directly the weight of a
stretch under load and having only a limited ability to absorb
worker who is using a suspension system, or which bears the
energy during fall arrest as defined by the Cordage Institute
weight of a worker during fall arrest or while working if a
C11801.
swingseatisnotused(alsosee: full-body harness, seat harness
3.1.38.1 Discussion—Alsoknownaslow-stretchrope(com-
and chest harness ).
pare with dynamic rope).
3.1.25 impact load, n—the dynamic forces applied to a fall
3.1.39 suspension system, n—the rigging system intended to
protection or suspension system during the arrest of a free fall.
bear the weight of a worker during the course of normal
operations.
3.1.26 industrial rope access, n—the techniques by which
3.1.39.1 Discussion—A suspension system typically con-
rope systems are used to gain access to structures, man-made
sists of a working rope and a descender or two ascenders,
or natural. This definition includes all cases where ropes are
lanyards, and a full-body harness or seat harness. Ascent
used as both the primary means of support and as fall
systems and descent systems are two types of suspension
protection.
systems.
3.1.27 kernmantle rope, n—a rope consisting of an internal,
3.1.40 swing seat, n—a small sitting platform provided for
load-bearing core covered by a separately woven sheath
the comfort of a worker.
designed to protect the core from abrasion.
3.1.40.1 Discussion—While using a swing seat, a worker
3.1.28 lanyard, n—a length of rope or webbing used to
also uses a harness that is attached directly to the suspension
connect a worker’s harness to an anchor or rope grab [OSHA
system (compare with boatswain’s chair).
1926.500(b)].
3.1.41 working rope, n—a rope connected to an anchor and
3.1.29 locking carabineer, n—a type of carabineer that
used for the primary support during the descent and ascent of
includes a mechanism that prevents the entry gate from
the worker.
opening when the mechanism is engaged.
3.1.41.1 Discussion—A working rope is the principle com-
3.1.30 lowering system, n—a system that enables a worker
ponent of a suspension system. Also known as a main rope or
to use an anchor, rope, and friction brake to lower another
suspensionropeandisalwaysusedinconjunctionwithasafety
worker in a controlled manner. Lowering systems are typically
rope.
used during rescue operations.
4. Significance and Use
3.1.31 maximum intended load, n—the total load of the
worker, tools, equipment, materials, transmitted loads, and
4.1 Access to the exterior and interior of structures is often
other loads reasonably anticipated to be applied to the suspen-
required as part of maintenance or inspection work. Depending
sion system [OSHA 1926.450(b)].
on the characteristics of the structure and site constraints,
access can often be achieved using a number of methods other
3.1.32 primary anchor point, n—a secure attachment point
than industrial rope access, including ladders, stationary or
havingsufficientcapacitytosupporta suspension systemor fall
removable suspended scaffolding, mechanical self-propelled
protection system (compare with directional anchor point).
aeriallifts,andothersuitablemeans.Thereareinstanceswhere
3.1.33 rated strength, n—the minimum tensile strength
use of such means of access is not feasible or economical.
specified by the manufacturer of a piece of equipment or
4.2 This standard provides guidance on the use of rope
component.
access as an alternative to other methods of access.
3.1.33.1 Discussion—The rope minimum breaking strength
shall be determined by subtracting three standard deviations
5. Personnel and Training
from the mean result of five samples.
5.1 General Requirements for Personnel (See OSHA
3.1.34 rope grab, back-up type, n—a device that can be
1926.503):
madetoslidealongasafetyropeandwhosepurposeistoarrest
5.1.1 Industrial rope access workers shall be at least 18
the fall of a worker in case of any failure in the suspension
years of age.
system.
5.1.2 Physical fitness for industrial access workers:
3.1.35 safety factor, n—a multiple applied to a maximum
5.1.2.1 Industrial rope access workers shall pass a general
intended load that provides for additional capacity in a rigging
physical test a
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