This code of practice gives recommendations and guidance on the use of IRATA International rope access methods, including training, to provide a safe system of work. It is intended for use by IRATA International members, IRATA International rope access technicians, national or regional enforcement agencies, safety officers and those who commission rope access work, e.g. building contractors; multi-national oil and gas companies; the renewable energy sector. This code of practice is applicable to the use of IRATA International rope access methods for industrial purposes, i.e. for access to buildings, other structures (on or offshore) or natural features, such as cliff faces, where ropes are used as the primary means of access, egress or support and as the primary means of protection against a fall. This code of practice is not intended to apply to the use of rope-based access methods for leisure activities, arboriculture, general steeplejack methods or emergency personal evacuation systems, or to the use of rope-based access (line rescue) techniques by fire brigades and other emergency services for rescue work or for rescue training. NOTE Throughout this code of practice, the term rope access is intended to mean rope access for industrial purposes, unless otherwise stated.

This International Code of Practice for Industrial Rope Access Systems’ is freely available on the IRATA  website to anyone who wishes to access it. Please see the following links:

• The IRATA website – irata.org

• IRATA freely available publications - Publications | IRATA International

• Access to the document (ICOP) - ‘IRATA International Code of Practice for Industrial Rope Access’