ISO 22846-2:2012

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 22846-2
First edition
2012-03-01
Personal equipment for protection
against falls — Rope access systems —
Part 2:
Code of practice
Équipement individuel de protection contre les chutes — Systèmes
d’accès par corde —
Partie 2: Code d’application
Reference number
©
ISO 2012
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Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

Contents Page
Foreword . v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Terms and definitions . 1
3 General . 4
4 Management . 5
4.1 Underlying principles . 5
4.2 Management systems . 5
4.3 Planning . 6
4.4 Hazard identification and risk assessment . 6
4.5 Hazards specific to a rope access method or work task . 7
4.6 Method statements . 8
4.7 Operating process . 8
4.8 Worksite classification . 8
4.9 Supervision . 9
4.10 Levels of rope access operative skills . 9
4.11 Use of tools and equipment . 9
4.12 Practices .10
4.13 Communications .10
4.14 Pre-work checking and checks at the start of each day . 11
4.15 End of a shift . 11
4.16 Termination of a job . 11
4.17 Record keeping and review . 11
4.18 Document availability .12
5 Personnel .12
5.1 Selection .12
5.2 Competence .14
5.3 Training and assessment .14
5.4 Experience .14
5.5 Competence levels .15
5.6 Rope access team size .16
6 Equipment .17
6.1 General .17
6.2 Limits of equipment use and compatibility .17
6.3 Standards and legal requirements .17
6.4 Specific criteria for the selection of rope access equipment .17
6.5 Equipment marking and traceability .22
6.6 Records of equipment usage .23
6.7 Inspection .23
6.8 Care and cleaning .24
6.9 Maintenance .24
6.10 Storage .25
6.11 Retiring equipment .25
6.12 Records .25
7 Working methods .25
7.1 General .25
7.2 Safety .26
7.3 Access system .26
7.4 Back-up system .27
7.5 Specific techniques commonly used in rope access (non-exhaustive) .27
7.6 Rigging and rope management .27
7.7 Rigging considerations .27
8 Emergency situations .30
8.1 General .30
8.2 Suspension intolerance (suspension trauma) .31
9 Welfare .31
Annex A (informative) Recommended competence requirements .32
Annex B (informative) Recommended minimum knowledge for management of rope
access workplaces .34
Annex C (informative) Additional techniques .36
Annex D (informative) Anchor loads .38
Annex E (informative) Suspension intolerance (formerly known as suspension trauma) .42
Bibliography .44
iv © ISO 2012 – All rights reserved

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 22846-2 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 94, Personal safety — Protective clothing and
equipment, Subcommittee SC 4, Personal equipment for protection against falls.
ISO 22846 consists of the following parts, under the general title Personal equipment for protection against
falls — Rope access systems:
— Part 1: Fundamental principles for a system of work
— Part 2: Code of practice
Introduction
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.
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