Eadon Consulting is pleased to add rope access to its range of capabilities. Mike Thorogood and Simon Coyne recently completed the IRATA Level 1 course, gaining the skills to safely reach and inspect structures that would otherwise require costly or complex access solutions.

The training was prompted by an international moving structures project where conventional access methods, such as scaffolding or crane baskets, were not feasible. Instead, they will need to abseil into position to carry out inspections.

The week-long course was run by Access Techniques in Sheffield. “It was intensive but really interesting,” said Simon. “We covered rope techniques like ascending and descending, transferring between ropes, moving safely around obstacles, carrying out rescues, aid climbing and abseiling. We also learned a whole range of knots.”

After three days of instruction and a practice day, there was an independent assessment on the final day to ensure that standards were met.

By gaining this professional training, Eadon can now offer inspection services that are more flexible and cost-effective. Instead of clients having to arrange complex access, engineers can reach challenging locations directly using rope techniques. “This new capability will allow us to deliver even more value to our clients” says Simon. “And it’s just another example of our hands-on approach. Whether it’s pulling on waders to inspect hydraulic structures or abseiling from a bridge, we’re not afraid to step out from behind the desk and onto site when that’s what the job calls for.”