Industrial Rope Access Anchor Considerations Part 1

Written By: Lance Piatt

Today, we are at Deschutes Brewery in Bend Oregon. The scenario is an industrial rescue and access context and we are needing to perform rope access work over the railing on an industrial cat-walk. Anchor considerations are the prime focus at this point and truly, any “roped” activity.

We have looked at top rope scenarios with and without bolts and the V-Anchor is again the chosen method of attachment. Now we are looking at the same V Anchor in an industrial scenario. Two anchors are combined and the direction is selected. Always, the need determines the direction and not what anchors are available. In other words, determine where the work is being done, and then determine the anchor points.

Rather overlaying two V Anchors, we have chosen to use two double loop figure of 8s. The bights are slightly offset, so the offsets allow for perfect placements.

About The Author:

Lance Piatt

Beginning his career in the rescue and rigging world as a “blue collar” SAR member with Deschutes and Jefferson County teams. Lance Piatt owns and operates Red Ibex Solutions, a sales and marketing wheelhouse blending rope rigging education and exquisite imagery with equipment knowledge and understanding; housing Rigging Lab Academy and Rescue Response Gear… Lance is producing high-end video education, working with several experts and instructors to produce unique series of “how to videos” and courses for rope rigging: Such as; the first ever full-length rescue training DVD, 'Tower Rescue', released in fall of 2005. As well as a series of scenario-based rescues ranging from cave rescue to cliff rescue.