Weather & Rope Access: How Different Conditions Affect Work at Heights

When it comes to working at height, the level of risk is greatly affected by the weather conditions. One of the most unpredictable challenges that you face with rope access is environmental change. It can happen at any time, which makes it essential to stay on the ball and update your risk assessment accordingly.

Ensuring that you have a complete understanding of how varying weather conditions can affect your job when working at height is paramount. Your knowledge will help to prevent accidents from occurring and ensure that you are well prepared with an adequate rescue plan should one arise.

Here’s how different conditions affect work at heights.

Wet Weather

The rain can have a huge impact on your ability to work at heights. It can cause slippery conditions for both your hands and feet, so you should wear appropriate footwear and gloves at all times. You should update the risk profile, noting the increase in likelihood of falls and missteps and delay work if needed. You should also consider the weight that water adds to ropes in your risk assessment, ensuring that your setup is still appropriate. And remember, if the wet weather progresses into a thunderstorm, you should immediately evacuate the site.

Windy Conditions

High winds or gusts can be very problematic when working at height. They can affect roof or work platform stability, as well as affect your balance when on the job. You could lose control when suspended, swinging from side to side and struggle to manoeuvre the equipment that you’re working with, leading to injury. If the wind picks up or is scheduled to be high, ensure that your risk assessment is conducted appropriately, and don’t hesitate to delay work until the conditions settle if you are in any doubt.

Sunny Skies

You could be working on the calmest, sunniest day, but that doesn’t mean you should be complacent when working at height. Excess sun can cause sunstroke, which could result in a fall, and the sun’s position in the sky could impact your visibility, affecting your balance and awareness. If you are working in direct sunlight, you can minimise this risk by ensuring that your eyes are protected.

Hot Temperatures

Your safety is dependent on you being able to perform optimally. Ensure that you take care of yourself in hot conditions by wearing a hat, sun cream and appropriate eye protection. Too much heat can cause heat stroke, which increases your chance of injury, so be sure to take regular breaks and stay hydrated to reduce the likelihood of this occurring.

Foggy Haze

When clouds are low lying, fog is common, and this reduces the visibility level greatly when working at height. This often makes it harder to perform your job optimally because it’s harder to see anchor lines, signals from your colleagues and the area in which you are working. Ensure that you consider foggy conditions in your risk assessment, implementing additional safety measures if needed.

Lean on Your Rope Access Training When Needed

Weather conditions can have a big impact on your ability to work at height, but they are scenarios that should be covered in your rope access training. The IRATA certification sets high safety and operational standards, ensuring that you are prepared for all eventualities. Want to learn more about obtaining your IRATA certification? Get in touch with Atlas Access Training. Offering all levels of training across Australia, you’ll learn everything you need to know about working at heights in varying weather conditions.