The objective of this Standard is to provide recommendations and guidance on the use of rope access methods for work at height and expands on the fundamental principles given in AS/NZS ISO 22846.1, in conjunction with which it is intended to be used. It is intended for use by employers, employees and self-employed persons who use rope access methods, by those commissioning rope access work and by rope access associations.

This Standard is applicable to the use of rope access methods in any situation where ropes are used as the primary means of access, egress or support and as the primary means of protection against a fall, on both man-made and natural features.

This Standard is not intended to apply to the use of rope access methods for leisure activities, arboriculture, general steeplejack methods, emergency personal evacuation or to the use of rope rescue (line rescue) techniques by emergency services for rescue work or for rescue training. Nevertheless, individuals engaged in these and similar activities can benefit from the advice given in this Standard.

This Standard is identical with, and has been reproduced from, ISO 22846-2:2012, Personal equipment for protection against falls — Rope access systems — Part 2: Code of practice.

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.