513 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 23-29

Sections

23-8. General Requirements.

Safety, Secondary, Belay, or Back-up Line(s)

The employer must use safety, secondary, belay, back-up lines, or other appropriate fall arrest devices along with the main line unless proven to create a greater hazard or not feasible.
Each line, when used in conjunction with the working line, must have its own separate anchor and must be fixed separately to the worker’s harness, although attachment to a single harness point is permitted.
Connect the safety line to the sternal D-ring of the full body harness, ensure the maximum free-fall does not exceed six feet or the manufacturer’s specified maximum, and the maximum arrest force does not exceed 1,800 pounds (8 kN).

Rescue

The Rope Access Supervisor/QP for Rope Access must arrange for prompt rescue or self-rescue and coordinate with emergency services.
Inclusion of these provisions is mandatory in the Rope Access Plan according to paragraph 23-7.

Tools Used During Rope Access

Ensure tools used by rope access workers are compatible with the rope access system.
Tools and work equipment must not impair the function of the main or back-up systems and should be attached securely to the Rope Access Technician or rope access systems.
Sheath sharp tools when not in use and prevent tools and work equipment from dropping by tethering or independently suspending them.

23-9. Figures and Tables.

Not Applicable.

23-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

23-7. Connect safety, secondary, belay, and back-up Line(s) must have a maximum free-fall distance _____.

of no more than 2 feet

that does not exceed 6 feet

less than 10 feet

between 2 and 6 feet

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 23-8 (c.–e.).

23-8. General Requirements. (c.–e.).

c.  Safety, Secondary, Belay, or Back-up Line(s).  Use safety, secondary, belay, back-up line(s), or other appropriate fall arrest devices in addition to the main line (working line) unless the employer can demonstrate that the second line or other fall arrest devices would create a greater hazard or otherwise would not be feasible.
(23-8.c)

(1)  Where a safety line is used in conjunction with the working line, each line must have its own separate anchor and must be separately fixed to the worker’s harness.
    This does not preclude both lines being attached to a single harness attachment point.

(2)  Connect the safety line of rope access systems to the sternal D-ring of the full body harness.

(3)  When using a safety line, the maximum free-fall distance must not exceed six feet or the maximum distance specified by the manufacturer, whichever is less, and the maximum arrest force must not exceed 1,800 pounds (8 kN).

d.  Rescue. The Rope Access Supervisor/QP for Rope Access must make provision for prompt rescue or self-rescue and arrange for emergency services.  These provisions must be included in the Rope Access Plan according to paragraph 23-7.
(23-8.d)

e.  Tools Used During Rope Access.  (23-8.e)

(1)  Tools used by rope access workers must be compatible with the rope access system.

(2)  Tools and work equipment attached to the Rope Access Technician or rope access systems must not impair the function of the main or back-up systems.

(3)  Sheath all sharp tools when not in use.

(4)  Take measures to prevent tools and work equipment from being dropped or from falling. Tether tools whenever possible or independently suspend them.