BS 7985:2009

BS 7985:2009 Code of practice for the use of rope access methods for industrial purposes

How safe are you and your colleagues when working at height?

Does your safety equipment comply with the latest industry best practice?

BS 7985 gives practical advice and recommendations for good practice to those who use specialist rope access methods for work at height and those who commission rope access work.

The standard applies to anyone using safety harnesses, fall protection equipment and rope access methods. The standard applies to industrial rope access work only, where the prime activity is the work itself.

The recommendations in BS 7985 include:

• The type of equipment that should be used
• The level of competence of the operatives
• The setting of overall objectives for the work

BS 7985 is particularly useful to:

• Employers of those working at height or using rope access methods
• Employees working at height or using rope access methods
• Self-employed people working at height or using rope access methods
• Construction workers
• Contractors
• Manufacturers of safety equipment
• Health and safety officers/inspectors
• Trainers

BS 7985 is based on the guidance given by The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA), Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and The Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers (since renamed the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists).

BS 7985 does not cover:

• Leisure activities
• Arboriculture
• General steeplejack methods
• Emergency personal evacuation systems
• The use of rope access (line rescue) techniques by the fire brigade and other emergency services for rescue work or for training.

This new edition of BS 7985 incorporates technical changes to bring the standard up to date. This version of BS 7985 replaces BS 7985:2002, which is now withdrawn.

Contents of BS 7985:

Foreword

1 Scope

2 Normative references

3 Terms and definitions

4 Legislation

5 Principles for a safe and effective system of work using rope access methods

6 Selection of operatives

7 Training, welfare and supervision of operatives

8 Selection of equipment

9 Certification, marking and traceability of equipment

10 Procedures for inspection of equipment

11 Inspection, care and maintenance of equipment

12 Methods of work

Annexes

List of figures

List of tables