Posted By Michael Battman
I am finding that more and more frequently the preferred method of cleaning for high rise buildings is rope access - abseiling to be precise.
Designers seem to be relying on it as their first choice method, I suspect primarily because of savings on the capital cost of the building.

I don't have a big problem with it; in fact I think it can be argued that it is safer to have well trained abseilers than less well trained operatives in a cradle.

Has anyone any experience in this area?
What is the HSE's attitude?

Posted By Michael Battman
Is the document that you refer to called: -
"Guidelines on the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes"
.. as that appears to be an IRATA publication with a HSE foreword or is there another publication available?

Posted By Michael Battman
Which is exactly where I am coming from and I too have posed the question!

Posted By Richard Hinckley
Michael, your observations regarding designers and specifiers is correct, our business specialises in the provision of Industrial Rope Access services across many industries and would be considered as one of the UK's leading contractors and training companies (as seen recently cleaning Big Bens Clock Face).

The technique is now chosen on many new building designs as the proprietary means of access for facade cleaning and maintenance, we also have many properties in our portfolio where conventional cradle systems have been decommisioned in favour of Industrial Rope Access (Including the HSE office in Birmingham).

There are a number of reasons why companies choose Rope Access over alternative methods, these include the very high level of training that the technicians receive and supervision under the IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trade Assosciation) scheme which is internationally recognised, ability to self and initiate high level rescue, shorter time frames to work within (such as rail track possessions), reduction in potential fabric damage to the building enevelope & ability to access all areas.

There is of course by default an obvious cost benefit on many properties but this can not be the main driver to opt for Rope Access.

We advise clients on the most appropriate method of access and if we feel that scaffold, cradle, mewp provides the best method then this is the route we follow.

IRATA established over 13 years ago is the industry governing body for Rope Access work and any people considering the use of Abseilers should strongly consider the use of IRATA Approved Companies ONLY (they will have a unique IRATA member number to prove that they have been fully audited by IRATA), this will ensure that you get technicians who are trained to a set standard and "independantly adudited" with all work conducted under the supervision of a level 3 supervisor (who has over 2000 hours of rope experience and also audited) thus reducing any imported risk to the client or property.

I spend much of my time working with Architects / Designers on new build and refurbishment projects looking at access requirements and the use of Industrial Rope Access.

We have developed a document "Justification of Industrial Rope Access v Cradle Access Systems" it is not a sales pitch for the technique, if anyone would like a copy of this please feel free to email me at richard@totalaccess.co.uk

Richard Hinckley