Plain-English definitions of the terms you meet on site and on paper.
New to rope access, or just tired of nodding along to the jargon? These are the terms that come up most, on the ropes and in the paperwork, explained without the waffle. Tap a term to jump to it.
A fixed, load-rated point that a rope access system is rigged to, such as a structural beam, eyebolt or a sling around a solid feature. Every rope needs reliable anchors, usually more than one.
A device that grips the rope so a technician can climb up it, used with a chest ascender and a foot loop for an efficient ascent.
The fall-arrest device that runs on the safety line and locks if the working line or descender fails. It is a core part of the two-rope system.
HMRC's scheme where a contractor deducts tax from a subcontractor's labour and pays it to HMRC in their name. It is reconciled at Self Assessment. See our guide to CIS for rope access.
A short lanyard, often a pair, that connects the harness to anchors and devices during transfers and re-anchors. It is the term behind the name Cowstail.
The Construction Skills Certification Scheme card that shows you are qualified to work on a UK construction site. Many sites ask for it alongside IRATA.
The device on the working line that lets a technician control their descent and lock off hands-free at a work position.
A rigging technique that pulls the rope line sideways to clear an obstruction or improve the work position, without taking the full load.
The area on the ground below the work, cordoned off so no one stands beneath a technician or anything that could drop.
The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association, which runs the training, assessment and certification scheme most UK rope access work is built on.
The three certification levels, from Level 1 technician through Level 2 to Level 3 supervisor. Each step up needs logged hours and time at the level. See IRATA logbook hours and Cowstail for L1.
The formal inspection of lifting equipment by a competent person, at least every six months for kit used to support a person, recorded and signed off. See LOLER vs PUWER.
The inspection you do on your own kit before every job, looking for damage, wear and anything out of date. It sits on top of the thorough examination.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, the baseline that all work equipment must be suitable, maintained and safe to use. See LOLER vs PUWER.
A Risk Assessment and Method Statement, the document that sets out the hazards of a job and how the team will carry it out safely. See our RAMS guide.
A way of working at height on two ropes, a working line to position on and a safety line with a back-up, used where scaffolding or a platform is impractical.
Guides: CIS, LOLER vs PUWER, RAMS, IRATA logbook hours, day rates.