Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Contents

Authorisation for Issue

Amendment Record
Amendment Summary
Distribution List
Preface

Paragraph Page
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1 Introduction 1

2 Training 1

3 Equipment 1

4 Protective Clothing 2

5 Work Planning 2

August 2001 Issue 1 i/ii

 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Authorisation for Issue

Issue Authority
Name: John Watson

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________

Position: Operations Delivery Team Leader, GFU

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Technical Authority
Name: Dave Watson

Signature: ________________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________

Position: Topsides Technical Expert Team Leader,

Performance Improvement Team, GFU

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 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Amendment Record

For Audit Use

Amendment Incorporated By
Checked
Number
Name Signature Date Signature Date
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AMOSAF.171

August 2001 Issue 1 v/vi

 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Amendment Summary

Issue No Date Description

Issue 1 August 2001 First issue.
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August 2001 Issue 1 vii/viii

 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Distribution List

Holders of Controlled Hard Copy

Copy Copyholder Location

01 To be advised

Virtual Copyholders

Copy Copyholder
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01 Document Issue Authority (John Watson)

02 Document Technical Authority (Dave Watson)

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 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

Preface

Review and Update

This document will be subject to 12-monthly review and update, when document holders will
have the opportunity to express opinions and suggest improvements.
However, the document control system allows for continuous update of this document. As
such, any user may at any time identify an error or suggest an improvement using an
Amendment Proposal proforma which is available electronically on the UK Upstream SMS
website, from the Data Control Centre (DCC) Supervisor or from the Technical Authority.
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All holders of this document are registered so that they can be sent updates and be kept
informed of changes or reviews.

Responsibility of Copyholders
It is the responsibility of the registered copyholder of controlled hard copy versions to
maintain the accuracy of the document by ensuring that all updates are promptly
incorporated and acknowledged.
Furthermore, the registered copyholder of controlled hard copy versions must at all times
maintain custody of this document unless prior approval is given by the relevant
Technical Authority.
The roles and responsibilities of copyholders and ‘virtual’ copyholders are detailed in Section 1
of the Document Control Procedure (UKCS-DCM-001).

August 2001 Issue 1 xi/xii

 Rope Access Guidance Manual UKCS-SOP-020

1 Introduction
This document is issued as an aide-memoire to help in the planning of work that is to be
carried out using Rope Access Technicians. A variety of work can be performed using
this technique and attention must be paid to the competence of the trade skill employed
in addition to that of the individual in the role of Rope Access Technician.
A copy of the specialist contractor’s operating procedure/instruction should be available
for review at the site.

2 Training
Prior to carrying out work, a check should be made to ensure that personnel engaged in
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these operations are competent. On completion of training as a Rope Access Technician

from an approved organisation, it is usual for candidates to be issued with an Industrial
Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA) certificate. Many rope access training providers
then issue their successful candidates with an identity card to confirm their competence.
Training certification is valid for 3 years at which point, refresher training is required.

3 Equipment
An approved supplier should provide all equipment that is supplied for the purpose of
carrying out rope access work.
(1) Ropes should come with a Record of Rope Use Form which should be updated at
the worksite by the team leader. This should include information about how the
rope was used and any damage to the rope, stating where the damage is located.
(2) Ropes shall be examined daily prior to use.
(3) Ropes will be withdrawn when damaged and be suitably labelled to prevent use.
(4) During normal operations ropes should be used for a maximum of 150 hours.
The team leader may declare ropes fit for use beyond this time in exceptional
circumstances.
(5) All items of equipment to be used shall be secured to prevent the possibility of
dropped objects.

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UKCS-SOP-020 Rope Access Guidance Manual

4 Protective Clothing
Suitable and sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn when
carrying out rope access work.
• Overalls should be close-fitting to avoid snagging
• Approved lifevest/jacket should be worn when working over water (together with
Thermal Offshore Worksuit (TOWS))
• Helmets must be worn at all times

5 Work Planning

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All rope access work will take place under the control of the BP Permit to Work
procedures. A suitable and sufficient task-based risk assessment shall be carried out
prior to work commencing.
Worksite assessment shall include consideration of the following:
• Safe approach
- Establish a barriered-off exclusion zone
- Safe approach to work area/pitch head
- Awareness of other activities in the area; omni-directional
- Awarneness of extreme heat sources, eg exhaust stacks
- Awarneness of hot surfaces that may damage ropes
- Edge preparations
- Belay anchors
- Angle loading
- Rope protection
- Type of rope (static/dynamic)
- Overboard outfalls
- Weather/seastate/splash zone
- Local rescue provision
• Access methods
- Ascending
- Descending
- Traversing
- Rope transfers

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• Rescue
- Rescue retrieval systems
- Mid-rope situation from above
- Mid-rope situation from below
- Administration of first aid on the rope
- Local rescue provision
A wind speed of 25 knots is the normal operating limit for rope access work in exposed
locations. Other factors including wind chill, gusting wind and ambient temperature
should be taken into account.
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