ISO 22846-2:2012 pdf free download – Personal equipment for protection against falls一Rope access systems一 Part 2: Code of practice.
Iso 22846 (all parts) sets out important criteria for the application of rope access systems for industrial purposes.
ISO 22846-1 sets out fundamental principles; this part of ISO 22846 expands on these, giving recommendations for planning and management, operative competence and responsibilities of personnel, supervision, the selection, use and care of equipment, and advice on how to implement a safe system of work.
Rope access is a method of working at height, typically using synthetic fibre kernmantel ropes and associated equipment, used to gain access to, be supported at, and as a means of egress from, a place of work.
The application of rope access methods are regarded as a complete system, in which planning, competence and suitable equipment are equally important. The malfunction or removal of any component in the system can weaken the operation or prevent the system from operating properly.
This part of ISO 22846 is intended for use by all persons concerned with the use of rope access, including operatives, specifiers, managers, rope access supervisors, purchasing personnel, trainers, clients and regulatory authorities. Users are reminded always to take into account the entire system and not just the component parts.
To ensure a rope access system operates correctly, at least the following factors are important:
— system management and planning;
— competence of the operatives and correct team composition;
— equipment selection, use and maintenance;
— proper organization and execution of working methods.
There can also be other issues to consider, depending upon the nature and location of the work, the competence and experience of operatives and possible local or regional legal requirements.
A failure or shortcoming in any of the above can render the entire system deficient.
5.1.5.4 Management staff should be selected with the following additional considerations:
a) competence and experience for the work being managed;
b) the ability to transmit and ensure correct operation of the rope access management system.
5.2 Competence
5.2.1 It is essential that rope access personnel be competent in the safe use of their equipment and in any managerial roles to which they are appointed.
5.2.2 Rope access personnel should have sufficient professional or technical training, knowledge, actual experience and the authority to enable them to:
a) carry out their assigned duties at the level of responsibility allocated to them;
b) understand fully any potential hazards related to the work and equipment used or to be used;
c) detect any technical defects or omissions in that work and equipment, recognize any implications for health and safety caused by those defects or omissions and be able to specify a remedial action to mitigate those implications.
5.3 Training and assessment
5.3.1 Competence is usually achieved through training, knowledge, skills and experience. Training should be delivered by a training specialist to meet competence levels set by the peak body administering rope access in the jurisdiction where rope access works are carried out. Training routes should be clearly defined.
5.3.2 All candidates should be trained in a formal programme, formalized in both time and performance; they should be assessed for competence independently.
5.3.3 Assessments (also known as evaluations) should only be carried out by competent and qualified assessors (also known as evaluators) who are commercially independent of the candidate, the candidate’s company and the organization providing the training.
5.3.4 Procedures should be in place to ensure sufficient documentation of the experience of operatives in order to allow verification of the operatives’ experience. Documented experience is also useful to help prospective employers judge the experience of personnel at various tasks.
5.3.5 It is essential that employers maintain their employees’ level of ability. This requires a reassessment at regular defined intervals and additional training where necessary. To ensure that operatives maintain their skill level, there should be retraining and reassessment at periods not exceeding three years.
5.3.6 Retraining is appropriate for operatives who have not been continuously engaged in rope access work. This can be either a refresher course or a full course at the appropriate level. All refresher courses should include all the techniques covered at the basic level. For experienced operatives and supervisors, the refresher course should concentrate on rigging and rescue procedures plus worksite management.
5.3.7 It is essential that operatives maintain their knowledge of current legislation, industry best practices, techniques and equipment developments.