ACCESS SERVICES
ARAA

The ARAA is an association of rope access professionals and interested parties. It has been formed to:

• Enhance levels of expertise and professionalism among members in particular and the rope access industry in general
• Create standards that will provide a safe working environment for rope access professionals
• Give members access to the latest industry information
• Liase with governmental regulatory bodies
• Promote use of rope access as a fast, safe and frequently more cost-effective alternative to traditional access methods

Why rope access?
Written by ARAA admin
Wednesday 3rd January 2007

The modern rope access industry has grown rapidly since its inception, and not without reason. Since early beginnings in Britain in the 1980's, the adoption of mountain climbing techniques was quickly recognised by industry worldwide as a valuable method of gaining access to work areas previously considered either difficult, expensive or just plain unattainable.

Rope access now enjoys international recognition as a fast, cheap, practical, and most importantly SAFE solution for workplace access at heights. It is used daily around the globe for performing tasks ranging from window cleaning and facade inspections on basic sites to the most complex of tasks, such as radiographic and ultrasonic inspection, welding and communications installation at the most complex and challenging of locations.

Quick setup times often mean that jobs can be completed in far less time and at far less cost than if using traditional access methods. Rope access anchorage installations are often cheaper and more unobtrusive than traditional installations, and can take far less time to install, thus minimizing disruption to occupants of pre-existing sites e.g. office buildings.

It is important to note that in Victoria, rope access is now on equal footing with other access methods such as swing stages, elevating work platforms and scaffolds on Worksafe Victorias Hierarchy of Control. Rope access enjoys an enviable safety record both here and overseas.