Medical Considerations

Statement of Medical Conidition

(Pre-Assessment Medical Requirements)

It should be understood that industrial rope access courses, at all levels, involve a certain amount of physical and mental exertion.

Certain medical conditions are a definite contra-indication to the safe and successful completion of industrial rope access courses. Ideally, candidates should be in possession of an applicable full industrial medical certificate. As a minimum, we require you to sign this form to show that you are historically free of the conditions listed below and, therefore, there is no reason that would exclude you from participation in a rope access course/assessment. Failure to produce some form of medical certificate/signed statement will result in your certification being delayed, and exclusion from the course and assessment. Principal contra-indications to working at height include the following: ƒ

• Heart disease / chest pain ƒ
• High blood pressure ƒ
• Epilepsy, fits, blackouts ƒ
• Fear of heights / Vertigo ƒ Giddiness / difficulty with balance ƒ Impaired limb function ƒ
• Alcohol or drug dependence ƒ
• Psychiatric illness / counselling ƒ
• Diabetes

If you do not have a medical certificate addressing these points, you should sign the following statement and bring it with you to the course.

“To the best of my knowledge I do not suffer from any mental or physical condition, including those mentioned above, which would interfere with my ability to work at height in a satisfactory and safe manner; or put myself or others at risk through my participation in rope access activities.”

Additional Notes

For those taking a rope access training course for the first time, please note:

• Arm, elbow and shoulder strains are relatively common for course participants not familiar with working on rope.
• A short warm up or stretching routine before the day of training can help minimize the potential for muscle strains and other injuries.

Of note for working at heights as a career:

Mental Aptitude

• Healthy respect for heights
• Consistent safety attitude
• Willingness to learn and improve
• Team orientation
• Ability to work productively in adverse conditions

Physical Attributes

• Capable of functioning in climatic extremes
• Ability to work while suspended in harness for extended periods of time
• Good strength-to-weight ratio
• Body weight of 220 lbs recommended maximum for people up to 6 ft tall
• 1 chin-up; hold for 10 sec.
• Ability to lift and carry heavy objects
• 50 crunches +
• Carry 25 kg for 50 meters
• Average cardio fitness or better
• Climb 50 stairs without physical distress or prolonged elevated heart rate (possible reference: Harvard Step Test)
•  Healthy joints and full-function of extremities (especially hands)

Possible Limitations/Concerns

• Heart disease or hypertension
• Epilepsy, seizures, or blackouts
• Dizziness or impaired balance
• Severe allergic reaction to insect bites (anaphylactic shock)
• Brittle or uncontrolled diabetes
• Peripheral Vascular Disease (poor blood circulation to extremities)
• Severe hearing loss
• Psychiatric Illness
• Extreme Sun Sensitivity
• Severe tendonitis or arthritis
• Obesity