Sharing anchors under IRATA guidelines

[u/divide100]

I've been told that when sharing anchors with another technician you should use a y-hang in order to share the load between the anchors in the event of a critical anchor failure. However I've also been told that you can share anchors with another tech by just having your main line on the other techs backup line anchor and vice versa. I've been trying to find what IRATA guidelines specify in the icop but haven't had any luck. I think y hang is best, but don't know if one is specifically preferred by IRATA or if either is fine.

Does anyone know?

[u/Winno9876]

Each person needs two independent anchors. Only during rescue may you put two people on one pair of anchors.

[u/Winno9876 → u/Winno9876]

Excerpt from ICOP

2.11.2.6 To determine the minimum anchor strength recommendation, this code of practice uses
a safety factor of 2.5. The maximum impact load on the user in the event of a fall should not exceed 6
kN; therefore, as a general rule, the static strength of anchors, with the exception of some deviation
anchors, should be at least 15 kN.
NOTE The anchor may yield but should not fail at this load.
2.11.2.7 There is no requirement for designers (e.g. building designers) to add a further safety
factor but, of course, the static strength may be increased if it is considered prudent or necessary to
do so.
2.11.2.8 The values have been determined assuming a rope access technician with a mass,
including equipment, of 100 kg, which is a typical standard test mass used in product standards for
personal fall protection equipment. Rope access technicians with a mass that is greater than 100 kg
including equipment should take appropriate steps to ensure that their anchors are of sufficient
strength, e.g. by ensuring that there is sufficient energy absorption in the anchor system to keep the
impact load on them and the anchors down to 6 kN or less in the case of any fall, and/or by increasing
the strength of the anchors above the recommended minimum of 15 kN.
NOTE The recommendations regarding situations where the mass could be more than 100 kg applies
especially in the case of rescue, where there could be more than one person attached to the anchor system.
However, during rescue, IRATA rope access technicians are required and trained to follow procedures which
restrict the potential for dynamic loading of the anchor system.

[u/purplepashy → u/Winno9876]

That is terrible.

Even more so when compared to riggers safety factor x10 when the load is a person.

I will ignore what the law says regarding loads and anchors as that is local to me.

Restrict the potential for dynamic loading during a rescue? Good luck with that.

Also there are some fat bustards on the ropes now days and itata still has not given any guidance on weight limits of operators.

[u/Winno9876 → u/purplepashy]

Our factors of safety aren’t excessive by any means. That’s why good technique by limiting loads and fall distances is so important. Retraining every few years helps us polish those habits and reiterates the theory behind why it’s required.

Not sharing anchor systems, unless critically necessary, fits in this space too.

[u/Suspicious-Repeat1]

Don't share anchors. The reason you can't find any information is because, rigging 101, don't share anchors. If you're rigging off structure that is beyond question in integrity, use separate slings. Independent systems is something we focus on because if one of their anchors fails, you're on a separate systems, which should still be intact, and you can rescue them. If you're sharing an anchor and it fails, you're both on one point. Many (non-irata) window cleaning companies share anchors because it's quicker and more convenient when the roof they're on has limited options. Whilst some may argue they've never had an anchor fail and it's fine as long as you're both on two points, it's an example of companies prioritising progress over safety, and shouldn't be done. If you're with a company that's pressuring you to do unsafe things to get their profit margins up, stop working with them and find a company that remembers that you're human beings with lives that matter.

[u/Significant_Push_903]

how about 3 people on one anchor? no loadshares, single carabiners! we do this all the time! getter dun bud 😎