Rope access for transmission line maintenance and construction (TLM&C) trends in safely managing power delivery systems

We attempt to dissipate some of the misunderstandings and common misconceptions surrounding the use of ropes in the maintenance and construction of power transmission infrastructure. We also look at some of the challenges that transmission line managers face in starting, and maintaining their own rope access teams. This paper also carefully delineates the overall strengths and limitations of rope access teams and clearly show the differences between rope access and traditional fall protection. In this process, we look long and hard at the labyrinth of federal OSHA regulations relative to 1910.269 and international safety standards in place around the world.