The information provided in this post is a brief introduction to complex
work-at-height techniques, equipment, and training. It is important to read and
fully understand the technical notices associated with each product and consult
a qualified professional before attempting to use this equipment or perform
these techniques on your own.
This past summer, Petzl America went
on a North American routesetting tour to demonstrate our best practices and techniques
with routesetters for working at height. What we encountered was surprising: A community
hungry for ways to mitigate fall risk, increase comfort when suspended for long periods
and build better systems for hauling and positioning wall equipment. The boom in
climbing as a sport --- and the accompanying boom in the establishment of new climbing
gyms --- has been met with routesetters and gym operators who are increasingly serious
about the rope access work they perform. This is great news, because the truth is
that routesetting is a high-consequence work-at-height activity that demands to be
taken seriously. \
A CHANGE IN MINDSET
The first step in risk mitigation is joining the greater community of routesetters by adopting the proper mindset. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are my routesetters properly equipped to work at height, while taking into account safety, comfort, and efficiency?
- Do my routesetters have access to a robust knowledge base about their gear and manufacturer best practice?
- Have my routesetters gone through professional, hands-on training in manufacturer best practices for suspension, hauling, positioning, and fall protection?
Your routesetters are likely already familiar with rock climbing gear and techniques, but professional work-at-height gear and techniques are different in a number of ways. Providing your team with this foundational knowledge through appropriate equipment and training will serve them well as they turn their passion into a profession.
THE RIGHT GEAR MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Managing a team of routesetters means prioritizing the safety, comfort, and
efficiency of your employees. A common routesetter kit, for example, often
includes little more than a climbing harness like the SAMA, a GRIGRI, a single
rope, a personal anchor sling, and an ASCENSION ascender. These are all items
that a casual rock climber may already have. But working at height presents
different challenges than working a climbing route. The addition of a PODIUM
seat and chest harness dramatically increases routesetter comfort and stability;
a backup rope with an ASAP fall arrestor and an ASAP’SORBER energy absorber
further mitigates fall risk; a PROGRESS ADJUST makes it easier to maintain
proper positioning; and a RIG descender is a more efficient alternative to the
GRIGRI belay device that includes safety features more appropriate for working
at height.
Similarly, the routesetter transferring her climbing skills to a hauling system might
use an ASCENSION ascender, a MICRO TRAXION progress capture pulley, and a redirecting
carabiner. But the simple addition of a ROLLCLIP pulley-integrated carabiner and
a PRO TRAXION progress capture pulley results in a dramatic increase in efficiency,
requiring less work on the part of the setter while she hauls heavy bags and tools
up the wall. These same principles apply to heavier-duty work like hauling and positioning
large volumes.
PROFESSIONAL SETTERS NEED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
After you’ve adopted the right mindset and secured the proper equipment, the next step is routesetter work-at-height training. Petzl America’s North American flagship facility in Salt Lake City features a 15,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art technical training center called the Petzl Technical Institute (PTI). The PTI offers training for a work-at-height certification developed and issued by the Climbing Wall Association. The site features a 55-foot-tall climbing wall with multipitch capability, more than 5,000-square-feet of exposed structure climbing and more. It’s a great place for one-stop training for your routesetters and any other work-at-height employees.
THE COST AND THE BENEFITS
A mindset shift is free; training and proper gear have up-front costs. Increasing the safety of your routesetters is an obvious benefit of these investments, but a more robust set of routesetting protocols also brings actual budget savings. Properly mitigating work-at-height risk means reducing the incidence of worker’s compensation claims. More comfortable routesetters who are provided with industry work-at-height training means a drop in employee turnover. More efficient systems result in more efficient use of paid routesetting time, lowering the labor cost you incur. Plus, efficiency in hauling, positioning and lowering helps reduce routesetter overuse injuries, which means they can spend more time climbing instead of recuperating!
The climbing gym industry is rapidly growing, which means the number of routesetting professionals is, too. Gym operators can better their employee longevity and job satisfaction by endorsing continued professional development, providing the best equipment and work-at-height training as well as establishing a culture of safety and responsibility. To help, Petzl America offers a one-stop solution for almost all of your climbing gym needs.
Ask your contact at Vertical Solutions for an introduction.