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March/April 2007 | |
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| Dear Friends,
It looks like 2007 will be busy for those of us that work at height. From California to Alberta to New York, government agencies are officially recognizing the safety and efficiency of rope access. Whether using rope access or more conventional means, risk managers and regulators are convinced that expedient rescue in the event of an emergency must be provided. Calling 911 is no longer considered an acceptable rescue plan.
Most of us don’t need government regulation to invest into tools and training to make work safer and more productive. From upgrades to our online store to building a custom training facility, Ropeworks continues to make big commitments to make our work-at-height products and training more accessible. We appreciate that many of you have chosen to visit us at Reno/Lake Tahoe in the last few months. We are as eager as ever to support your work wherever it might take us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Wishing you safety & success,
The Ropeworks Team |
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Photo: Rope access training at the Ropeworks National Training Center at Reno/Lake Tahoe.
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In this issue:
> Ropeworks Spins-off Skala Inc.
> Rope Access for Hi-Rise Window Cleaners
> Holan accepts SPRAT Pres. nomination
> Tech Topic: Sternal Point for Fall Arrest
> Regulatory News: Refresher training mandated by California.
> Ropeworks Creates Staff Carpool Incentive
Upcoming Courses
Mar 12 - Rope Access I
Mar 27 - Tower Rescue
Apr 02 - Rope Access I-III
Apr 12 - Hi-Rise Rope Access & Rescue
Apr 16 - Rope Access I-III
Apr 23 - Tower Rescue
Apr 25 - Rope Access Refresher
May 7-11 - Rope Access I - New Location! Chattanooga, Tennessee
complete calendar |
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Ropeworks Receives High Marks for Customer Service
Based on customer feedback, Ropeworks was recently rated in the top 5 percentile of businesses in a Dunn & Bradstreet Past Performance Evaluation™. The survey, conducted by an independent research firm, gave our team high marks for quality, cost, reliability, and timeliness with the near perfect scores going to customer support, responsiveness, and professionalism of staff. It is gratifying to have our commitment to continuous improvement recognized. There is no danger, however, of complacency. We know we have to work hard to continue to exceed rising expectations.
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Ropeworks Spins-off Skala Inc.
In order to focus on our core business of training and equipment for work at height, Ropeworks has spun off its rope access service business into Skala Inc. While Skala will continue to support all existing Ropeworks customers requiring rope access services, its core focus will be providing inspection and maintenance services for bridges, hydro facilities, and wind turbines.
Skala builds upon a foundation of twelve years of experience and an extensive network of specialized partners to provide clients a full suite of work-at-height services. All Skala technicians will be trained by Ropeworks and certified by SPRAT in rope access and rescue. Skala, as an independent company, will focus its resources on developing industry-specific expertise. In January, for example, Skala technicians completed the Federal Highways Bridge Inspection certification in order to better serve partner engineering firms with bridge inspection contracts. Contact Skala at 1.775.747.2244 or mail@skalagroup.com for more information.
photo: Skala techs working with DMJM engineers during inspection of Brooklyn Bridge.
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Regulatory News: Rope Access Refresher Training Mandated in California
Many employers and most government agencies require their employees that perform rope access to receive annual refresher training. California has made it law under General Industry Safety Orders Section §3270.1. Use of Rope Access Equipment, quoted below.
“ Employees who perform rope access shall receive annual refresher training. The training shall include a re-evaluation (e.g., hands-on demonstration) of the employee's ability to perform rope access in accordance with the Code of Safe Practices.”
Ropeworks now offers a 2-day Rope Access Refresher to provide an efficient and cost-effective way to meet this requirement while improving rope access and rescue skills. Those that need to re-certify to SPRAT standards can do so on day three. Full text of Cal OSHA Regulation.
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Rope Access & Rescue for Hi-Rise Window Cleaners
Ropeworks was invited to deliver a presentation on rope access & rescue at the 2007 International Window Cleaners Association Conference in Nashville, TN. To address a growing interest in meeting national standards and self-rescue in the window-cleaning industry, Ropeworks is now delivering a specific course for window cleaners, taught by hi-rise veterans, including program manager, Nathan Schuster.
The 3-day course addresses job safety planning, working with the tools of the trade, rope access systems, back-up devices, anchors & edge protection, suspension trauma and several self and partner rescue techniques. The training is consistent with ANSI I-14 and SPRAT Safe Practices for Rope Access Work. The next open registration course offered at the Ropeworks National Training Center is April 12-14. More. photo: Dave Pasco working with Nathan Schuster during development of Hi-Rise Rescue curriculum. |
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Jan Holan Accepts Nomination for SPRAT President
Ropeworks staff members have actively supported the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians since the early days in various leadership capacities. In 2006 the membership elected Ropeworks founder, Jan Holan, to a three-year term on the Board of Directors. During the recent annual meeting, the board nominated him to serve as President. Jan accepted the volunteer role and is looking forward to working closely with Dwayne Witter (VP), fellow board members, and the membership at large to further the goals of the organization which include:
- growing the technician certification system,
- developing a company audit program,
- improving the regulatory environment, and most importantly,
- insuring that rope access remains one of the safest means of work at height.
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Tech Topic – Sternal Attachment Point for Fall Arrest
Most North American fall protection standards specify that the dorsal attachment (center of back) shall be used as the connection point for fall arrest systems. This article outlines a logical safety justification for using the sternal (chest) attachment on specific harnesses for some fall arrest applications. The use of the sternal attachment may be safer in some circumstances because it improves the opportunity for self-rescue, minimizes the risk of suspension trauma, may protect the face in some types of falls, and shortens the potential fall distance.
While Ropeworks harnesses are compatible with both sternal and dorsal attachment, our technicians most frequently use the sternal attachment point for their back-up safety line in rope access applications and some fall protection systems, especially when climbing towers. This article explains why.
Read full article.
Figure: Arresting position using the dorsal D-ring (top) and using the sternal D-ring (bottom)
Drawings used by permission from the North American Working at Height Handbook published by NSL and distributed in North America by Ropeworks. |
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Ropeworks Creates Staff Carpool Incentive
Moving our offices to the Ropeworks National Training Center in Reno created a longer commute for most staff members. This year, Ropeworks began offering an incentive program to encourage carpooling. The staff identified the following benefits: 1) lowering air pollution and emissions of green-house gases, 2) contributing toward energy security by lowering demand for foreign oil, and 3) off-setting employee costs of commuting to work. The carpool incentive is an opportunity to encourage a practice that is consistent with company values. The less obvious benefit of carpooling is the social connection and team-building that occurs while commuting to work.
Ropeworks Equipment Store
Ropeworks carries the complete product lines from the industry's top manufacturers including Petzl America, Sterling Rope, CMC Rescue, PMI, DBI/Sala, Protecta, Yates, Tractel and more. Contact us to receive a password to access your corporate and government discounts online. | |
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| Thanks for forwarding to a fellow co-worker! |
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