New safety guidelines for rope workers

New Zealand's rope access industry is growing quickly. Photo / NZH

A run of accidents in the rope industry over the past year has prompted officials to set out a new set of safety guidelines.

The Department of Labour and the Industrial Rope Access Association of New Zealand (IRAANZ) have today released new Best Practice Guidelines for industry rope access in New Zealand.

The guidelines come in response to three non-fatal incidents in the last 12 months.

In February this year, 18-year old Louisa Kuypers fell about 30m to the ground while suspended from a building in Newmarket, Auckland, cleaning windows.

This followed an accident in December, when acrobatic abseiler Mikaela Blayney plunged 20m to the ground while performing above Aotea Square.

An abseiling window cleaner was seriously injured after falling at least five stories in central Wellington last June.

Today's guidelines will give both rope access operators and building managers a shared understanding of what acceptable standard practice is within the industry, said IRAANZ President David Karam.

"This document will set a benchmark for rope access operations and promote a safer and more professional service throughout New Zealand," he said.

Department of Labour's Brett Murray said any work involving rope access carried a level of risk but correct procedures needed to be followed to minimise that risk as much as possible.

"It is essential that the correct design and installation procedures are carried out where rope access is required," Murray said.

"Everyone working in the industry needs to understand the dangers and these new guidelines provide the advice they need to operate safely."