r/ropeaccess

Like the title say I’ve just turned 21 and got a work visa in Australia and not sure what to pursue out there I am Canadian and have about 5 years experience as a carpenter but am looking for a career change before I pay for my courses is it all worth it

Hey all.

Im new to the industry and having a hard time dialing in comfort on the ropes.

Basically, my work seat and leg loops are constantly sliding backwards out from under my legs and past my buttons (loops into the groins, ouch) leaving me close to vertical on the wall. Not only is it wildly uncomfortable on my hips, pelvis and groins, but I kill a lot of time readjusting it in a job where I need to be efficient.

I attach my bucket directly to my work seat on my right side. My leg loops are as loose as can be, shoulder straps too (loosening them helped a bit).

Does anyone have a similar set up and have any tips on getting around this? The work seat sliding back is driving me insane and causing me a lot of discomfort and imbalance. The only temporary fix ive found is really sticking my butt out (lol).

My harness seems to fit otherwise.. I think?

Thanks.

Hey guys,

I recently got my level 1 and would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the direction of work or resources to find work (I’ve heard a bit about WhatsApp groups being a common way of finding work for techs getting started).

I’ve got a lot of chainsaw experience and a few years of landscaping and general maintenance experience, but keen to get hours regardless of the work.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated, cheers

Right so I saw a bit of kit on a recent job but can't remember the brand it was a fall arrest y lanyard with hooks, but between the arrest and the double lanyards it had like a bearing so it could spin and stop the lanyards getting tangled. I've been googleing for a while but with no luck if anyone can tell me the company that makes this please. I want to buy one. Please and thanks

What are your thoughts on doing rope access on 2 descenders vs the standard way?

I work as IRATA L1 in germany, can FISAT L3s sign my hours (when they were my direct supervisor for the task which is to sign of course)? Also what is meant by „provide verification with certainty, how does my project manager/director do exactly that?
I know it‘s a super basic question but I wanted insights from the real world

„Logbook signatures should only be obtained from Level 3 technicians who were directly involved in supervision of the rope access activities undertaken or from other authorised signatories (e.g. IRATA member company, rope access project manager and/or director) who can provide verification with certainty.“ (source: https://irata.org/news/article/logbook-signing-policy)

Friend and I designed and made this handle to run double clutches. Works really well and was curious if anyone would be interested in it.

https://preview.redd.it/rqozv9ebcr1h1.jpg?width=768&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=90f464c7835868a941c4f720e7b6946071124bb8

Does anyone remember a website that appeared dated but had LOADS of manuals and guides, run by a husband and wife? They clearly had made a life doing a lot of climbing but also volunteering for SAR, like starting in the late 90s/early 2000s.

The websites title was something like his and her name? They had pages and pages of stuff, even various methods for tying off a brake bar rack.

I understand this is a site for more industrial settings, but the info for both austere and industrial can overlap. The website had a lot of good resources.

Just wondering about the take up on these items both in training and operationally. I see them in training centres regularly here in Aus but I don’t work on enough different projects for different employers to have the same comparison.

Do you have access to these on your site, and if so, is it all the time or just when you’re likely to have a hauling job on? Please mention what type of work you do with your response.

If they aren’t in industry do you think they should be regularly in training environments? Alternatively, is your boss a tight arse for not providing these for daily use when you’re trained in their application? 🤣

I’m currently a high-rise window cleaner in Canada with SPRAT II and IRATA I certs. I got into rope access because I’m a longtime rock climber, and the transition came pretty naturally to me. When I first looked into rope access, I was deciding between wind turbines and window cleaning. I chose window cleaning because I wanted to be home every night. The pay is good about $40/hr with piecework and I’ve also been trusted to supervise sites within the limits allowed for SPRAT II techs under section 8.2.3. Overall, I’m happy with my role and compensation.

The issue is the toll the work takes on my body and work-life balance, and is only seasonal here . I’m 29 now, and I honestly can’t imagine doing this into my mid-30s. Most days after work I’m exhausted, and by the weekend I usually need to recover instead of climbing. Since climbing is the thing I care most about outside of work, that’s been difficult. The job is also seasonal in Canada, which unfortunately overlaps with the climbing season.

I’m looking for advice on other career paths within rope access that offer better long-term balance and are less physically demanding. I’m also open to moving away from rope access entirely if there’s a good fit. People have suggested sales to me, for example, even though I don’t have experience in it.

The options I know about so far are:

-Wind turbines (too much travel + seasonal)
-Oil & gas (too much time away from home)
-NDT (seems travel-heavy and possibly seasonal)
-Other rope access work like signs, caulking, and painting also seems seasonal or inconsistent

I’m also open to getting into a trade, but I’m unsure which ones offer steady work, decent pay, and are less physically demanding than window cleaning.
For those with experience in rope access: what career paths would you recommend for someone trying to move beyond window cleaning while maintaining a better quality of life?

Bit bored of my current role although it is a good one, I've already got experience with ropes and climbing (ex arborist).

Honestly from what ive seen online about RA, tree surgeons are doing it all wrong 😭. (Never seen an ASAP).

First question, if anyone does rope access electrical work, whats pay like. From what I can tell, the boys at COLT who do smoke fans and vents get good pay.

Second, do I need full kit for IRATA lvl 1 or is it all provided? Cant see nothing on websites for training centres.

UK.