It’s been a year since our Academy doors opened last August and we’re celebrating our anniversary in a big way with our August SPRAT Rope Access Training Course.
$1500 Tuition includes:
Free: Kindle Fire loaded with curriculum and training videos, breakfast and lunch, giveaways from rope access equipment manufacturers like CMC Rescue and Kask, and we will cover your SPRAT fee.
We only have a few spots left, don’t miss out!
Email questions or application requests to info@abseilon.com.
We’re sponsoring a photo competition on the Rope Access Hub with the help of CMC rescue. Head on over to their site to download the app and enter!
Last month, The Discovery Channel’s Daily Planet came to see our SPRAT course and evaluation at our Training Academy.
What does it take to prepare for a Skywalk cleaning?
Early on a Sunday morning, members of an Abseilon USA team are finalizing their roles for the Skywalk cleaning project. Their nerves are beginning to set in as rope, harnesses and equipment are strategically laid out like a puzzle waiting to be assembled. This weeklong planning process will culminate in three fully loaded trucks making the 5-hour trek from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon Skywalk located on the Haulapai Indian Reservation in northern Arizona.
Abseilon Rope Access Technicians will arrive on site Sunday evening to begin final preparations for what’s to come at sunrise the next day: majestic views of the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and The Skywalk, a transparent horseshoe-shaped cantilever bridge walkway that projects well over the side of the canyon wall. The team of five technicians will mobilize equipment and gear, and set up safety rigging to prepare two highly-trained technicians to ‘aid’ out on the underside of the Skywalk, suspended some 4,000 feet above the canyon floor, as thousands of tourists visiting from all over the world peer down at them as they work. Many of the tourists view their rope access work as daring, even an added bonus to the Skywalk tour itself, asking many questions of the technicians while they perform the rigging and cleaning work. For many of the Skywalk visitors, the walk (with hands tightly clinched around the hand rails) over the glass bridge itself is a life-daring accomplishment.
What does it take for Abseilon USA to safely rig the Skywalk?
According to company Vice-President Kenneth Piposar, “selecting the right gear and equipment can make the difference between a great day or a difficult experience on a high-profile project such as The Skywalk. There is no room for error in this environment. Knowing that the world will be watching, we want our technicians partnered with the most trusted name in rope access equipment. We use CMC Rescue equipment for nearly every component on our rope access projects”.
Abseilon USA originally contacted CMC Rescue based on the discomfort they experienced when using other harnesses while rigging the Skywalk on previous occasions. The Abseilon Technicians recognized the need for a specially designed rope access harness. Shortly after that call, CMC Rescue and Abseilon USA joined forces to design a customized Rope Access Harness tailored for Abseilon’s needs and the Rope Access Industry.
For the Skywalk cleaning project alone, Abseilon Technicians rig over 4,000 feet of CMC Static-Pro 11mm Lifeline. A total of 160 CMC ProTech aluminum carabiners along with 12 CMC Rescue swivel pulleys make up the foundation of the rigging process. Additionally, the Rope Access Team utilizes two CMC MPDs (Multi-Purpose Devices) along with sections of the Arizona Vortex (an artificial high directional, or AHD), referred to as a ‘Gin Pole’, coupled with the CMC AZORP (Arizona Omni Rigging Pod) to create a unique anchor system that allows the Technicians to access either side of the Skywalk for backup and rescue purposes. AZTEK ProSeries Systems, rigging plates, edge pads, guards and protectors, rope bags, haul packs, sewn prusiks, webbing, and anchor straps are also included in their CMC equipment cache. CMC’s KASK Super Plasma safety helmets are also the team choice on all of their rope access projects and SPRAT training classes that Abseilon USA offers.
As innovators, Abseilon employs the CMC Enforcer Load Cell to monitor static forces within their rigging systems and employs VIDCIE Live Video Assist solutions to stream, record and document their projects throughout.
Once safely rigging the Skywalk is complete, the team is ready to commence the cleaning process on day two, then reverse the rigging order and demobilize the ropes and equipment. This marks another successful completion of a Skywalk project. The gear is loaded back on the trucks and all of the equipment is routed to the Abseilon USA headquarters and training center in Phoenix where it will be inspected and documented for the next big project.
Abseilon had the honor of training the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) on best rope access practices. Two reputable industry leaders in the rope access community, Loui McCurley, President of the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians and Reed Thorne, owner of Ropes that Rescue partnered with the Abseilon team to communicate the safety benefits of rope access. Check out the article on page 7 of the ADOSH ADVOCATE. Read the full article from the ADOSH Advocate here.
About The ADOSH ADVOCATE
The ADOSH Advocate is a newsletter that is published quarterly by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health for employers and employees of Arizona.
Abseilon USA is the leading work at height and rope access solutions company. Abseilon is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. We gain access to almost anywhere, safely, effectively and timely. We have been recognized for our safety and health programs, and are active members of SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians).
Some of our currently held certifications include:
SPRAT Rope Access, Rope Rescue, Confined Space Entry & Rescue, Train the Trainer, IOSH Managing Safely, IOSH Working Safely, OSHA 10, Rotor Blade Inspection, PPE Inspection Trainer, Ladder Inspection Trainer, RF Awareness Trainer, Ladder Safety Trainer, Emergency Response, First Aid and many more.
Our experts provide work at height and rescue solutions worldwide. For more information or a consultation, contact our office at (623) 298-4551 or email us at info@abseilon.com.
In addition to providing Difficult Access Solutions, Abseilon also offers training courses as our fully inclusive Training Academy, and offers discounted equipment purchasing.
Abseilon USA TV Series (SKY High Scraper) As seen on Discovery Europe Channel.
At Abseilon, we are proud to have been involved with Discovery Channels recent series “Sky High Scrapers.” Team Abseilon’s Rick Dillman and Mike Duran are experienced SPRAT Technicians, leading our crew as we performed work on some of The World’s Toughest Structures. The team also aided with filming & camera crew to ensure absolute safety on site.
