Tips for protecting your Equipment Belay Devices, Descenders
You need various aspects to extend the lifespan of your products like: transport, product usage (intensity, conditions, frequency etc.), and also the storage, maintenance and care. This helps avoid premature wear of the equipment.
Given below is a summary of precautions recommended by Petzl for maintaining your equipment.
Image source: Petzl
Basic principles
- It is important to take care of your safety gear. Don’t leave it anywhere.
- Don’t throw your gear unsafe on the ground.
- Carefully read the instructions and recommendations for each product.
Refer the heading "PPE* Inspection".
* PPE refers to Personal Protective Equipment, equipment carried or worn by the user. It is classified in three categories:
Category 1: Light mechanical impacts, minor hazards, solar radiation (e.g. gloves, glasses)
Category 2: Serious hazards (e.g. crampons, ventilated helmets)
Category 3: Deadly or major hazards (e.g. carabiners, harnesses, ice axes)
Reminder of the lifetime for equipment
• From the date of manufacture for textile and plastic products, the maximum lifespan is up to 10 years
• The lifetime for metal products is indefinite
• Caution: An unusual event may need you to retire a product after one use. This may require the type and intensity of use, or the environment in which it is used: sharp edges, aggressive environments, extreme temperatures and chemicals
• To know more, see the heading "PPE Inspection".
How to find the age of PPE?
Petzl uses a serial number to identify its PPE products. The number is marked in different ways including: Engraving, laser, label etc.
Transport
• Storing the equipment in pack to protect it is preferable.
• You must take care that sharp objects or crampon points don't damage your ropes, helmet or slings.
• The temperatures can be extreme when traveling by train, truck, train, boat or plane which can degrade the products. Example: Don’t leave your helmets or textile equipment in the trunk of a car or under a window that is exposed to direct sunlight. The temperature can be higher than 80 °C.
• Example: Pay attention to your equipment's possible proximity to car batteries, gas cans, or cleaners (risk of leaking)
Caution: Any contact with harsh or corrosive substances (e.g. acids) or chemical products is prohibited. In case of doubt, retire your equipment.
Storage
• You should store your equipment in a well-ventilated area which is out of direct sunlight.
• It is suggested to reserve a specific place for your equipment. Caution: Contact with any corrosive or harsh substances (e.g. acids) is prohibited. If you have a doubt, retire your equipment.
• Don’t store your gear in a damp place where mold can develop (bags, damp closets and waterproof containers with moisture inside). For long journeys, be cautious of moisture in containers in ports or airports, during transit, and in salty environments.
Repair
Repair and modifications of the products outside the facilities is restricted, other than replacing worn parts with replacement parts as referenced in the catalogs.
Washing
For washing, recommendations are indicated for each product family.
Drying
• Even if cleaning isn't necessary, remove your gear from packs after each activity.
• Let the gear air-dry away from ultraviolet sources
• Avoid proximity to heat sources such as direct sunlight, wood fires, or a radiator.
Maintenance
In general, the products don’t need any special maintenance, outside of cleaning, except for metal products when used in amateur sports.
Metal equipment
Identification
The metal products are marked with a label, a laser engraving, or a stamp showcasing the model name, the serial number for traceability and standards references.
Usage tips
To personalize your metal gear:
• Engraving a metal equipment or a carabiner is not suggested as this is a modification of the product that can make it weak. Do not use punch or a stamp. The use of punches or stamps is restricted, as this type of marking may affect performance of the product, depending on the force of impact, the depth and the chosen area.
• However, you can use an electric engraving pen which has (depth less than 0.1 mm) on the frame, right next to the serial number.
• With a small amount of paint ("metal writing" paint or paint pen), you can mark your metal equipment.
Warning: Don’t dip your equipment in paint. Just apply a thin, small marking of paint, not too thick.
• There’s no need to mark any working areas. The marks must be made on the body parts where there is no rubbing against another rope or device. These marks should not be hiding the original marking (standards, serial number etc.).
• This marking type is forbidden on plastic pieces, as the chemical agents in paints can weaken plastic’s structure .
• It is advised to choose a metal-compatible paint, as we cannot test every available paint.
Use adhesive tape at places where the rope does not run.
Maintenance
• Rinse with fresh water, after use in a salty environment (seaside).
• To remove oily dirt or mud, use a small brush.
• Wash your gear in soapy water that is lukewarm (ph neutral, 30 °C maximum), then wash with fresh tap water.
• Do not use harsh cleaners or acid. Do not use WD 40 type degreasers because these products remove lubricants and their abrasive effect can accelerate wear.
• Certain metal gear also has plastic parts. It is recommended to use only household face and body soap. All other cleaning products, like stain removers, degreasers, solvents, etc. are too strong and not compatible with plastic materials.
• Take care that you do not use a high pressure water sprayer as it can damage joints and remove lubricants.
• Lubricate only with graphite powder or fluid oils (machine oil) that too if lubricating is necessary.
Clean oil residue with a cloth, after lubricating,
to avoid getting oil on ropes or slings.
Belay devices, descenders
Maintenance
The Instructions for use indicate that the product must be retired, when a belay device has developed a sharp edge on the body. We suggest retiring any metal product that has wear which is greater than one millimetre (mm) deep on its body. The rope rubbing against the body of the REVERSO wears the metal, as with all descenders.
You can round sharp edges by hand (using fine grit sandpaper) to prolong the use of your descender. The edge is thus less harmful to the rope. The operation can be performed within the 1 millimetre limit.
The bobbins on the simple and stop descenders are available as spare parts. These can be replaced when worn (refer Instructions For Use).
Information & Image source: Petzl
Inspection and Maintenance with Rope Access
Introduction
Rope Access provides safe and rapid access to difficult-to-reach locations for testing, inspection and structural engineering functions without the use of cradles, scaffolding, or an aerial work platform. Progressing from techniques used in caving and rock climbing, the rope access industry has compiled an ideal safety record over the past thirty plus years while recording millions of man-hours.
Rope Access for Inspection
Rope access is known to be a safer alternative to conventional access methods, minimizing the amount of man power and the requirement for equipment on various projects without compromising on high degree of safety.
The method of rope access is commonly implemented to carry out the inspection of columns, piping, vessels, and other structures. Rope Access technicians commonly perform inspections using various nondestructive testing (NDT) methods. A team of rope access technicians has the capability to unite various crafts, enhancing the ability of the work being performed. This could be as easy as executing insulation work adding to an ultrasonic thickness inspection. In such a scenario, the team of rope access technicians can cut inspection windows, perform the inspection required, and close the inspection windows all at the same time. This type of proficiency could allow for a unit inspector to handle one team member who finishes the required work instead of coordinating with a scaffolding member, inspection member, and insulation member; allowing time for other responsibilities.
Rope access enables performing a greater degree of inspection. Inspections are no longer restricted to accessible areas near ladders and platforms, nor are they limited by the costs associated with erecting a scaffold, thanks to the additional accessibility rope access provides. Any part of the piping system or vessel is now accessible for inspection.
Moreover, while rope access team is working at height, areas that are not typically within view can be seen on the equipment, making it easy to work. Also, the team can spot irregularities that exist on other equipment in close proximity. Usually, these places are difficult to reach even during turnarounds and so they are typically not maintained.
Combined with Advanced NDE
When advanced NDT services are added, Inspection becomes even more powerful. Executing an AUT scan on the back side of a vessel or on remote piping can collect enormous amount of information. Technologies like Phased array UT on an elevated weld seam, eddy current scanning for surface cracking and tube inspections and guided wave UT to find welds and corrosion on long runs of pipe have been proven on their own merit, and rope access can make them more available and successful.
Rope Access for Maintenance
Rope access is not just limited to inspection. Tasks like welding, painting, insulation, electrical, mechanical work and cleaning can all be completed utilizing rope access. Using this technique, technicians have installed spring hangers, hung piping, insulated piping and vessels, and performed a lot of other tasks. Even if some say, scaffolding is cheaper, time saving is more valuable. Plants can take advantage of short time windows for completing projects, since work can be completed quickly.
In conjunction with conventional equipment and methods, rope access can also be used. Technicians tend to be good riggers; that certainly makes them more helpful on heavy lifts like flare tip changes with a crane. They can also make use of air tuggers. Very heavy equipment can be moved easily with the capability to set pulleys and re-direct quickly. Rope access technicians can also set staging for non-climbing workers.
Limitations
This technique has its own limitations as not every job is a best suited for rope access application. Rope access technicians are highly trained so their fees is typically higher than the comparable craft on the ground. Also, projects where a very large number of workers are needed, rope access is not be something that people prefer. Another limitation is around hot equipment. If the area is too hot, just like in case of heat exchanger fans, it might be at high-risk for rope access technicians to work.
Conclusion
Rope access is a valuable tool that enables operators to enhance the inspection and maintenance efforts. When used properly, rope access saves money and time, and makes facilities safer.
How to become a Rope Access Technician
If you love to climb and feel the rush of adrenaline, here is your chance to finally turn your passion into a full-time career. Rope access technicians are specialists in accessing high altitudes locations using rope and safety gear. This sort of access is required in rescues, for high level constructions, oil rigs, etc. The ability of a rope access technician to keep cool in strenuous situations and maintain the safety of the entire project is vital to their success. Do you have what it takes to become a rope access technician?
Getting Certified
To get certified at one or more of these levels, you will need to clear a final test. The assessment lasts for a day after approximately 4-5 days of training. It is meant to test the skills you have mastered over the period of the course. It is the way to show the instructor that you have what it takes to become a rope access technician who will not endanger your own life or the life of anyone around you. With a good amount of preparation, lots of practice and a good fitness program, you can give yourself the right leverage to clear this assessment with flying colors.
Training
There is some amount of formal training involved before you can be considered as industry ready. International Rope Access and Trade Association (IRATA) and the Society for Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) are two major internationally recognized institutes for Rope access training. IRATA teachers must meet certain criteria and such is not the case with SPRAT. Both IRATA and SPRAT reputable programs, but SPRAT has a strong North American reputation while IRATA has world-wide recognition.
While these are US based organisations, you can always check for Indian institutes that offer the same training or its equivalent.
The training at these institutions is conducted by highly experienced rope access technicians and climbers with thousands of hours of experience. To be considered eligible for the training, there is some amount of knowledge you should already master. This includes:
● Familiarity with using rope in climbing, recreation or window cleaning
● Knowledge of tying rope knots like figure of eight, double figure of eight on the bight, barrel knot, overhand knot and alpine butterfly
● Certified for physical fitness by a medical doctor
● Minimum age of eligibility is 18 years
As a Pre Course preparation, do some warm up (gentle exercises) for a week of vertical exercise. You don’t need to do anything vigorous as a pull-up.
Assessment
The IRATA assessor marks your assessment day. These assessors are in-date level three certified with dozens of experience in the industry. Witnessing every form of practice be it good or bad, they have experienced every excuse for mistakes. Their main concern is in the belief that people can turn up to work with a safe approach. Feel free to question and be questioned from these assessors with up-to-date technical information.
The Rules of Engagement
You will be asked questions because the assessors want to know if you understand the reason behind each manoeuvre. They’ll point out important minor faults like un-loved screw-gate so you know where to improvise. Only two minor discrepancies are allowed and if the third one occurs, it means a fail. Also, you need to keep a back-up device. Being careless with its positioning may mean a minor discrepancy, and if you forget it by letting it hang at your ankles, that will lead to a fail. The main point to focus on is not to finish up hanging from one point of contact, or one rope. Keep this in mind in every single operation at all costs.
As Level 2 or Level 3 technicians, you may be asked to do things you haven’t done in your training, but in Level 1, these will only ask you things you have done in training.
Don’t be distressed thinking that you’ll be asked to operate under crazy time pressure because that isn’t the case. Your assessors will only try to observe if you can apply your learned principles to a slightly novel problem. You will be told then and there in case you fail, so don’t give up on hope after you notice that you have done a few blunders. Until they tell you, you are in the game.
You need to put together your harness rigs for safety. So, practice doing that a couple of times before. Also, since you’ll be asked to fault find if your harness is dodgy, you should so practice that too.
You’ll be required to ascend sets of ropes at the start, regardless of assessment level. Just go at your own pace without panicking.
Avoid over-focusing during each activity. Additionally, make sure that you do the more complex stuff in methodical stages and before you operate a new system, you must do a ‘function check’. When in a difficult situation, think about something completely different like a romantic incident, fishes or your favorite things and then re-examine the system once again.
It is important to check your screw-gates before each manoeuvre and then see the two separate connections you have and count them, and be ready with the third. Avoid the critical pose of two or three connectors to one anchor.
Keep in mind the casualty care and the sequence of responses chosen. Keep your ropes and the casualties ropes out of the way. No matter how slow you are in your final descent, if you have any type of backup device that could steal the glory.
Done it!
You can enter rope access field now. You could be anywhere now from huge bridges to oil rights, skyscrapers to cliff face stabilizations, and anywhere that required working at height.
Levels of Qualification
It is important to complete formal training and acquire a technical grade in order to become a rope access technician. As per IRATA International, the training, assessment and certification scheme is valid for all IRATA members. There are three levels at which you can be certified for rope access technician, depending on your level of training and experience, according to IRATA:
● Level 1: Level 1 training is recommended for those with little to no Industrial Rope Access experience so that they are certified to perform simple rescues.
● Level 2: A level 2 personnel who has logged 1000 hours of rope access work together with one year of work experience can go in for level 2 training.
● Level 3: A level 3 person shows high technical skill at conducting rope access while maintaining site safety. They also possess advanced rigging and rescue knowledge, hold a first aid certificate, and have knowledge of legislation and IRATA training.
Jobs for rope access technicians
A broad range of jobs in difficult-to-access areas are available for Rope access technicians. This includes:
working in confined spaces (e.g. water tanks, cooling towers, boilers and shafts)’, non-destructive testing (NDT); geotechnical work (e.g. rockfall netting, rock demolition, and soil stabilization); facade maintenance (e.g. building maintenance and repair); rigging services (e.g. marketing, promotional, and seasonal displays in public spaces); working on oil rigs; window cleaning in high-rise buildings; and also renewable energy (e.g. wind farm maintenance and repairs).
How safe are these jobs?
For the inexperienced, working at heights or in confined spaces can be dangerous. In early 1900s, rope access technicians had to complete their work using the Bosun’s Chair, i.e, a plank of wood that is used as a seat at the end of a rope rather than the the safety harnesses used now. The technicians faced a far more dangerous situation at that time.
However, today, rope access technicians benefit from the excellent safety process – just as we do here at Mekanchi Global (with a 100% safety record).
Why Choose Mekanchi Global?
Mekanchi Global offers Rope Access enabled services (Industrial services and NDT), Non-Destructive Testing Services, , UAV Enabled Inspections, Dimensional Inspections, Engineering Consultancy and Trainings Programs through a diversified team of specialists and industry experts whose collective experience totals to more than 150 years. By joining forces with Mekanchi Global, you are giving yourself a competitive advantage over other industry entrants, and international opportunities for work exposure.
Contact us today to learn more about our rope access services on 9999805500 or send us an email at info@mekanchi.com.
What’s A Good Rope Access Technician Salary?
Considering a career in rope access? Here’s good news!
An experienced rope access technician can earn up to $200 a day but ofcourse, it takes a lot of study, time and hard work to get to that level.
Let’s brief you about the many factors affecting a rope access technician salary. Below is the three-tiered structure that any rope access technician fits into:
• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3
IRATA and SPRAT are the main training bodies that support this structure.
How to get Qualified for Rope Access?
To get a job in rope access, you’ve to complete level one IRATA or SPRAT assessment and get your certificate, without which no reputable rope access companies will hire you.
How much will the Training Courses cost you?
For Training courses, you’ll have to spend around $1,000 but passing these courses will surely unlock prospective earnings and you’ll earn your money back in no time.
What is the Rope Access Technician Salary?
If you are a qualified level one rope access technician, you can earn between $50 – $70 per day.
Level two rope access technicians get a salary between $70 and $85 per day and a qualified level three technician earns $100 and above on an average.
These salaries are averages taken across the markets of Asia, Middle East and Africa in 2017-18. Want to know what else can affect the range of your salary? It’s your ability to negotiate, the pay structure of your company, the certificates you possess and the living costs of your state.
What skills do you need?
Window cleaning isn’t a high paying job. With level one IRATA or SPRAT, it can get you less than someone who can repair a wind turbine or perform an Advanced NDT such as PEC.
For all those with a desirable skill, you can break into the rope access industry. All the qualified engineers and technicians, the companies that will hire you will pay for your IRATA assessments.
Getting their hours logged on rope, a tech with little or no skills will take up painting, window cleaning and other general maintenance jobs.
How many hours of work are required?
Rope access technicians have to their personal log book, containing a record of every hour that they spend on ropes. This books acts as a reference for your work history too.
Many companies request copies of your logbook while they’re in the process of hiring you. It is therefore important to maintain your logbook, update it regularly and have it signed by a supervisor/level 3. Also, you need to include the important details of the work, risks faced and action taken to avoid them.
After IRATA Level 1, you need at least one year and 1000 hours logged as a level one and you can progress to IRATA Level 2.
For Level 3, you need 1000 hours and one year as a Level 2 rope access technician. So, getting hours and hours of work even if it is low paid is what is preferable. And when you progress to the next level, your salary will also increase. As you grow, you’ll be expected to have the knowledge and ability to perform rescues and also carry out rigging.
To Level 3 and Beyond
The main responsibilities of a Level three rope access technician are team management, consulting, risk assessments and safety advisory. After Level 3, you spend very less time on the ropes. If you’re doing a permanent job as a Level 3 technician, your annual salary for a permanent job can be between $25,000 and $40,000. You will also be given benefits like paid holidays and good medical facilities as a senior employee.
Most of the L3 technicians often find contracting as lucrative and so they prefer setting up as independent self-employed consultants which means that they’re free to pursue contracts whenever they want.
In case of a refinery or factory shutting down for maintenance, they’re losing large amount of money and will pay $100s of dollars a week to someone who gets them back online quickly and safely. An L3 will oversee rope access crews on a short-term contract for huge sums of money.
Prospects
For rope access technicians, the prospects remain very strong, especially in Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Industries like wind energy are generating huge demand for technicians and engineers qualified in rope access. There’s no easy way out to be a rope access technician but your hard work will definitely pay you good.
7 Top Tips for Choosing the Right Drone Operator
Drones are the exciting tools used for everything from analysis to create 3D models, producing promotional images and more. The commercial application of drones is growing aggressively, especially with the increase in new innovation and big investment. Individuals and businesses everywhere are demanding for this slice of cake.
It's true that anyone can handle a drone but for successfully handling a drone, you need to make sure that you are using the right person for the job especially when you are conducting complex industrial inspections in difficult environments.
Want to use a drone for commercial purposes? If the answer is yes, you will surely need to hire someone with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) permission operate. Here are 7 tips for choosing the right drone operator.
- Does the drone pilot have legal requirements?
It's important to ensure that your drone operator possesses Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA) Permission For Aerial Work (PFAW) and the pilots are BNUC-S (Basic National UAS Certificate – Small UAV) certified.
- Do they have the right insurance?
Every commercially operating pilot must have specific public liability insurance for using their machines, as a part of their legal requirement. Ask to see a copy of their certificate.
- Are the pilots experienced? If yes, how experienced?
Do check their recent work, client list and testimonials for 100% surity.
- What equipment is provided?
Find out about their machines, camera equipment and everything. Do they have a back up machine?
- Can they obtain permissions?
You may require additional permission from the CAA depending on the location and other factors in the project. Ensure that your operator is authorized to provide your project relevant permissions, if needed.
- Do they have multiple drone units?
Ensure that your drone operator has multiple drone units in case drones aren’t suitable they can offer you an alternative. Also, if you need more than one drone, there would be no trouble.
- Are they qualified and supplied to operate overseas?
Demand the right drone operator for the job who is qualified and can handle permits as per Drone policies and laws in different countries.
Why Choose Rope Access?
Why Choose Rope Access?
Rope Access is the safest and most affordable access system to complete work at-height, in confined spaces and in subterranean environments via rope. It was initially developed from techniques that were used in climbing and caving.
At Mekanchi Global, we chose Rope Access as it is the most innovative solution putting you at an incredible professional advantage, reaching places where scaffolding and binoculars cannot. It combines the access, labour, rescue, environmental controls, and set-up/take-down in ONE complete system, for ONE total cost.
Scaffolding Vs. Rope Access
Talking about Scaffolding specifically, the time and labour that is required to build scaffolding makes it an ineffective solution when compared to rope access. Choosing scaffolding would mean paying for a crew to set it up and then to complete any work. The cost to your business is therefore increased by the cost of supply and erection which does not occur with rope access.
Additionally, rope access does not require a large amount of space at ground level as is needed with scaffolding. Rope access can be set up quickly and also removed at the end of every working day. This makes it a great option for building surveys on commercial buildings with a large footfall or residential properties.
How does Rope Access save you money?
How does Rope Access save you time?
Time is always on your side while you choose rope access that too with Mekanchi. The efficiency of our access system is what our clients appreciate. We are one of the best in meeting project deadlines. With minimum set-up time involved, we get the job done right away.
Why Choose Mekanchi Global?
Need a job done quickly assuring the safety of people and the process? Mekanchi is the answer.
So, if you are looking for a cost-effective way to use your maintenance budget for a building survey or other maintenance work you will most likely benefit from, we are here for your help!
Call us today to find out more about our services or to discuss your project on 9999805500 or shoot an email at: info@mekanchi.com
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