Industrial Rope Access is a proven method of achieving a safe work position at height or in areas of difficult access. It was initially developed from techniques used in caving to answer the need for a simple, safe and adaptable means of access with its first large scale use being for inspections on the oil and gas platforms of the North Sea. As its value as a work solution grew rope access has also developed onshore where it is to be seen undertaking all manner of work from high-rise window and facade cleaning and general maintenance to repair, geotechnical and inspection work on some of the world's most iconic structures.

The main features of rope access in operation are:

The rope access worker works from two ropes - a working rope and a back-up, safety rope - and is permanently attached to both each rope has a separate anchorage point, in the unlikely event of the working rope becoming damaged or unusable, the safety rope prevents a fall, to prevent accidental dropping all tools of a suitable weight are attached to the technician at all times; heavier items are independently suspended.A minimum of two technicians are required for any job so as to enable mutual surveillance - an extra safety feature, all technicians receive extensive training and independent assessment and are required to undergo re-training every three years, training includes rescue procedures even though SPRAT has an unrivalled record of safe working all equipment is regularly inspected and well maintained all training and operational work is conducted in line with Association Guidelines, wherever in the world it is conducted these Guidelines have been endorsed by the Health and Safety Authority.