Working at height has always required careful planning—particularly when it comes to selecting the right safety equipment and fall protection systems. But according to Michel Goulet, Business Development Manager for the Professional Division at Petzl America, rope access techniques are becoming an increasingly important part of that safety conversation.
“There’s more than one way to get work done on a telecommunication tower,” Goulet said. “In many cases, rope access methods can provide faster and safer access to different parts of the tower. Well trained Tower Technicians using rope access techniques can reach areas more quickly and efficiently.”
“With rope access, you’re always suspended by your main line within a controlled system, so the risk of a free fall is minimal,” he explained. “And if something should go wrong with that primary suspension system, the backup vertical lifeline and mobile fall arrester, when properly managed, will greatly reduce your free-fall distance compared to using a standard fall arrest lanyard.”
Traditionally, tower technicians have relied on a combination of travel restraint, work positioning, and fall arrest personal protective equipment and systems. Goulet explained that after climbing to the required tower height using a ladder-mounted fall protection system, workers typically move laterally using a twin-leg shock-absorbing lanyard. “Once they reach their work location, they’ll add a positioning lanyard to secure themselves—freeing both hands so they can lean out and perform tasks safely.”
However, newer approaches like using rope access methods are gaining wider adoption due to the enhanced safety and versatility it offers. “Rope access is always performed with a two-rope system—one rope suspends the worker, and the second acts as a redundant vertical lifeline,” said Goulet. While the initial tower climb is still done using the ladder fall protection system, rope access technicians will rig their two-line system above the work area once they reach the appropriate height. This method offers a safer, more adaptable way to perform many tasks at height.
One key benefit of using rope access techniques, he said, is the ability to reduce potential fall distances. “You’re already positioned on your suspension system. There is very little potential for a 6 or 12-foot fall, as you may have with fall arrest lanyards” if you’re doing things properly, he said. Goulet added that work at height clearance requirements on towers often aren’t about height to the ground, but rather the spacing between your work location and the cross members or platform that may be contacted during a fall.
Rethinking Rope Access: Safety Beyond Traditional Methods
Petzl’s approach to improving safety and productivity while working in vertical environments includes rigorous attention to equipment standards and proper training. “Most ropes used in rope access are the same ropes that would be used for rope descent systems or used on towers for life safety,” said Goulet, noting that 11 mm Kernmantle ropes offer 6,000 to 7,000 pounds of breaking strength.
He also highlighted the importance of protecting the rope against sharp edges in tower environments, where cut hazards exist. “Especially on towers, there are angle irons, ice fences, and other equipment and structural members which could be in contact with your rope.” Petzl recommends eliminating edge-to-rope contact whenever possible or padding ropes properly when the contact cannot be mitigated.
Training and certification too, plays a crucial role. “There are two associations that are prevalent in the US and Canada — IRATA and SPRAT,” said Goulet. While IRATA began in the U.K. and focused on offshore oil platforms, SPRAT emerged to align with North American regulatory requirements. Goulet said that once someone is IRATA or SPRAT-certified, their techniques will mainly comply with the organization’s best practices.”
AVAO® and ASTRO® Harnesses: Purpose-Built for the Realities of Work at Height & Rope Access
Petzl’s knowledge of rope access translated directly into the development of Petzl’s newest offerings: the AVAO and ASTRO harnesses. “We improved the padding on the waist and leg loops,” he said. “When you’re working in suspension, the last thing you want is discomfort or pinching.” Balancing comfort and functionality, Petzl uses materials evolved from its recreational climbing division to design gear that’s lightweight yet efficient and durable for daily tower use.
Each harness is optimized for different applications. “The AVAO is one we’d recommend if you need a fall arrest, ladder climbing, work positioning and descent harness,” he said. “It has a central D-ring at the waist area where your descent control device should be positioned.” By contrast, the ASTRO is designed for rope access because it features a built-in chest ascender for rope ascents.
One feature unique to the ASTRO is an openable ventral D-ring. “You can connect lanyards to this D-ring without using carabiners,” Goulet said. This helps reduce crowding around the waist area which is particularly important during complex movements. “Sometimes you may have up to seven or eight carabiners all connected to that waist area, which add much clutter and disorganization.”
Additional accessories aid in comfort and tool organization. “If you’re going to be suspended for some time, you want to be sitting on a seat, like the PODIUM or the new LITEPOD,” he said, adding that the waist strap is designed to accommodate TOOLBAGS with an INTERFAST that connects to your harness for smooth accessibility and tool tethering. “The harness is designed to load your shoulders when you’re carrying tools on the waist belt.”
Goulet also emphasized the importance of regular equipment inspection. “PPE should be inspected before each use,” he said, adding that “OSHA requires an annual formal inspection by a qualified person. That should be done more often when the gear is used extensively. Our gear that includes textiles have a 10-year lifespan, even if that equipment has been sitting on a shelf, if it’s more than 10 years old, we recommend retirement.” Petzl offers detailed inspection sheets for every product it manufactures and even a training course on how to evaluate equipment safety. According to Goulet, “We are subject matter experts in equipment inspection.”
Ultimately, Goulet urged the telecom industry to explore other vertical-access work methods that might be safer and more efficient. “I’m lucky because I get to work with people who work at height across a wide variety of verticals,” he explained, from theater riggers to wind turbine technicians. “Everybody’s got their tricks and work methods. It’s nice to get feedback from different industries and apply those learnings to others, while maintaining a safe and best-practice environment.”
Petzl’s AVAO and ASTRO harnesses, built with that mindset, aim to help climbers work safely, comfortably and efficiently, according to Goulet, no matter how high the job takes them.
Learn more about the AVAO Harness here, the ASTRO Harness here and how to become a Rope Access Technician here.
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