This Standard is applicable to the use of rope-access methods on buildings, other structures (on- or offshore) or natural features (such as cliff faces), during which ropes are suspended from or connected to a structure or natural feature. It is applicable to situations where ropes are used as the primary means of access, egress or support and as the primary means of protection against a fall.

This Standard is not intended to apply to the use of rope-access methods for leisure activities, arboriculture, general steeplejack methods or emergency personal-evacuation systems, or to the use of rope-access (line rescue) techniques by the fire brigade and other emergency services for rescue work or for rescue training.

This Standard is identical with, and has been reproduced from, ISO 22846-1:2003, Personal equipment for protection against falls — Rope access systems — Part 1: Fundamental principles for a system of work.

As this document has been reproduced from an International Standard, the following applies:
(a) In the source text “this part of ISO 22846” should read “this Australian/New Zealand Standard”.
(b) A full point substitutes for a comma when referring to a decimal marker.

Australian or Australian/New Zealand Standards that are identical adoptions of international normative references may be used interchangeably. Refer to the online catalogue for information on specific Standards.

The terms “normative” and “informative” are used in Standards to define the application of the appendices or annexes to which they apply. A “normative” appendix or annex is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an “informative” appendix or annex is only for information and guidance.