Specialized Access Safety Group

Specialized Access Safety Group's #1 priority is safety.  At every step, safety is built into our culture.  Its in our name.  This extends beyond our workers, to the public, and to the properties we service.

We make every attempt to practice best safe work procedures.  Over time, these procedures may be updated to reflect new technology, or knowledge.

All workers are covered by WCB.  We are fully insured with property and liability coverage.

During the Covid-19 emergency, Specialized access and our workers will follow local public health recommendations.  This includes the use of face coverings while inside, sanitation of high touch surfaces, physical distancing, proper hand washing technique and staying home from work, if symptoms are present.   We respect people's choices, if they choose to avoid shared spaces, for example elevators or stairwells.  Same applies to handshakes.  If you have any questions or concerns, please bring these to the rope access supervisor.  We will act immediately to make the workplace safe for everyone.

Rope access includes working at heights.  This inherently involves risk.  Every day, activities will require workers to put their training into practical application.  This can include maneuvers such as rope to rope transfer, deviations, re-anchor. Ropes are protected with canvas protectors, or carpet, if safe, where abrasion risk cannot be eliminated.  

Hard edge protection (rollers, A-frames, plastic protection) will be used where reasonable.  Examples of where this may be needed are: concrete edges, balconies, any sharp metal edge, or glass awnings.  

Dual 11 mm kernmantle rope systems are used by all technicians.  

No technician is allowed to work alone at any time.  Must be tied off when within 2 meters of an unprotected edge.  All technicians are in radio contact with each other and their supervisor.  They are also in line of sight, while suspended.  

In the unlikely event environmental conditions become unsafe, service delivery may be delayed. Certain circumstances are beyond the control of Specialized Access, and our staff.  Weather conditions, such as high winds, lightning, heavy rain, snow, or temperatures below freezing, or any other condition deemed unsafe, will cause a stop work situation.  In this event, work will restart the following day, or when it is safe to do so.  

In the event of evacuation, for example fire alarm, flood, or gas leak.  Workers will immediately stop work, make their work area safe, and calmly proceed to the designated muster point.  Work will resume once authorized by the applicable authorities.

Ladders must be tied off.  Standoffs will be used, when possible, to prevent damage and create ladder stability.  If a job can be completed without the use of ladders, for example by pole, it shall be completed this way.

An IRATA or SPRAT 3 supervisor must be on every site.  

Daily morning safety meetings will be documented.  This includes site specific safe work procedures.  Daily weather documentation.  All equipment must be visually and thoroughly inspected prior to use.  This includes an equipment function test, and “buddy check”.  

An appropriate exclusion zone will be installed to protect the public. All areas below a worker must be taped off with red or yellow caution tape.   This may include signage, and high visibility physical barriers, such as cones, or delineators.

Workers will follow manufacturer guidelines for all equipment used.

Exhaust from power washers are HOT, they must be pointed away from any material or building.  A machine may not be placed near a fresh air intake.  When applicable, oil changes are completed at regular intervals.  All machinery and equipment is to be inspected and maintained regularly.  This includes attachments such as hoses, poles, connectors, tools.

Only a licensed machine operator may use a scissor lift, or articulated boom lift.  Furthermore, daily inspection of each machine must be documented, as per manufacturer specifications.

All employees must be physically capable of lifting 50 Lbs.

We recommend stretching each day before work starts to minimize risk of strains, sprains, tendinitis and carpal tunnel.  When a repetitive motion is required, reasonable breaks are encouraged.

See link to ICOP below for complete safety procedures.

To be referred to in event of any uncertainty around safe work practices.  This document outlines the standard for rope access professionals, worldwide.

Link to IRATA ICOP

Further information from IRATA regarding safe work practices.

IRATA Dropped objects poster

IRATA Edge management poster

Information regarding specific training requirements.

IRATA TACS training scheme

For Canada specific guidelines, the following link provides further information.  This applies to all SPRAT certified employees, or contractors.

SPRAT Safe Work Procedures

For Equipment inspections

Equipment inspection discussion

Federal and provincial guidelines regarding safe work practices

Government of Canada safety bulletin - At heights safety

Province of Nova Scotia - At Heights safety

Nova Scotia Regulations -- Part 21: Fall protection

Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.  

1. Services will be completed within 30 days following Specialized Access Group receipt of signed quote acceptance, or 30 days from the agreed upon start date.  In event scope of work exceeds this time period, customer will be informed in writing, as soon as possible.

2. Services will be completed at location agreed upon and accepted in quote.  Invoice will be issued on the day work has completed.  

3. The general terms and conditions of purchase at www.specializedaccess.ca apply to all quotation contracts.

4. Quotations may be accepted to form a binding contract upon any one of the following options:

a. Signature below and payment to Specialized Access Safety Group for the items listed in this quote prior to the expiration date.

b. Issuance of a purchase order (PO) to Specialized Access Safety Group referencing quote number, and the terms and conditions herein prior to the expiration date above. Full payment is due within 30 days from the date of invoice.

5. Specialized Access Safety Group cannot be held responsible for unintentional property damage or personal injury liability resulting during the course of performing our services. This includes, but is not limited to, dropped objects, broken glass, damage from the operation of a man lift. We make every effort to eliminate hazards where possible.

6. In the unlikely event environmental conditions become unsafe, service delivery may be delayed. Certain

circumstances are beyond the control of Specialized Access, and our staff. Weather conditions, such as high winds, lightning, heavy rain, snow, or temperatures below freezing, extreme heat, or any other condition deemed unsafe, will cause a stop work situation. In this event, work will restart the following day, or when it is safe to do so.

7. In the event of evacuation, for example fire alarm, flood, or gas leak. Workers will immediately stop work, make their work area safe, and calmly proceed to the designated muster point. Work will resume once authorized by the applicable authorities.

8. For areas inaccessible by lift, we will use an extendable waterfed pole. Where proper certified anchorage does not exist on the roof, no rope access work will be conducted on site.  If work can safely be conducted using the building structure as anchorage, this may be appropriate under special circumstance.  

9. Full payment is due within 30 days from invoice date.  

10. Access to water and power is supplied by the customer.  Fuel (gas, diesel, and propane) will be supplied by Specialized Access.  A fuel surcharge of .61 per km, will be added to quotes for work greater than 25 kms from Halifax, NS.

11. Specialized access may subcontract work at their discretion.  All subcontractors are required to have their own insurance with a minimum of $2 million liability coverage.

12. Overtime premiums may apply to remote work locations.  This could also apply to ASAP jobs, at customer request.  Please discuss these details with the quoting manager.  We can accomodate most requests for evening, night, and weekend jobs, with proper advance notice.

13. HST of 15% must be included in all jobs, in compliance with CRA regulations.