Advances in Descent Control Powered Ascents
(Room Crystal/Continental)
27 Feb 19
4:00 PM
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4:25 PM
This session will introduce relatively new products for working on rope. Battery operated powered ascenders may have application for rope-work on wind turbines and farms. This session will introduce the basic operation and function of peered ascenders to make the general membership aware of a new category of products for working on ropes. It will discuss advantages (ease of use, non-technical training, less stress on worker) and disadvantages (size, up-only benefits, cost) in an objective manner to understand the basic operation and applicability of this category of device. The vertical nature of wind turbines has posed some challenges when working on the tower, blades and exterior of the machine. Traditionally works would ascend the structure and use manually operated descent control devices to lower themselves to the work. This is a age-old reliable practice, but at some point it’s inevitable that worker have to go “up” the rope. Powered ascenders have been around for several years but were never really a legitimate option because of difficult operation, cost and unreliable operation. Over the years the devices and technology has improved to a point where powered ascenders can be a consideration for rope work.