LEARNING THE ROPES — LITERALLY
Twisting and braiding plant fibres to make rope dates to prehistoric times, and Egyptians invented tools to make ropes used to transport heavy stone to build their monuments.
Ropes are still a key tool in today’s construction industry, providing a safe, versatile, efficient and cost-effective way to solve vertical access problems.
But using ropes to scale heights is not to be taken lightly — look at 1930s photos of workers doing construction on the Empire
State Building to get an idea of the dangers — hence the need for certified training in their use.
In Calgary, a new rope training centre has opened in Airways Crossing III, just south of the big white storage tanks off Barlow Trail N.E.
True Mettle Rope Access Centre had its first location in Airways Crossing II, but owner Joel Hawkins needed more space for his growing business and was able to move into The Norcal Group’s newer development across Mccall Way N.E.
Hawkins is a true master of all trades — with tickets as plumber, steam fitter, gas fitter and welder — who worked in his home town of Kingston, Ont., and then Vancouver before calling Calgary home in 2002.
While working at the Shepard Energy Centre he became involved in its industrial site rescue team.
His instructor, a member of the Calgary Fire Department, furthered his interest in rope access and Hawkins decided to concentrate on advancing his experience, working for six years in that area on oilsands projects in Fort Mcmurray and refineries in Ontario.
After mastering the various techniques, he made the decision in 2017 to purchase the necessary specialized equipment and lease a high-ceiling space to launch his own business to train others.
It was a big step but his belief that there was a growing demand to enable qualified industrial tradesmen to do their jobs in a safe, efficient and low-impact way proved to be a winner.
True Mettle is a member of IRATA International (The Industrial Rope Access Trade Association), the internationally recognized certification scheme through which Hawkins offers its three levels of certification.
Participants are put through a rigorous six days of mental and physical effort learning the wide range of access techniques to pass the independent assessment required to qualify for certification.
The Level 1 course includes instruction in understanding and safe use of equipment, rope manoeuvres, structural climbing techniques and rescue. Levels 2 and 3, offered to candidates with a required number of hours of experience, include advanced rigging and rescue attempts, equipment selection, inspection and maintenance, installation of rope systems and operational planning.
True Mettle is also a sustaining member of SPRAT (Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians) that offers similar structure to the IRATA sessions, though the progression periods are shorter.
The new training centre is fully equipped with high towers where participants can practise a variety of rope access techniques in a range of different environments where safety and rescue is critical, from confined spaces to expansive exterior scaffolding.
Hawkins and his assistant trainer, Adam Diemar, are being kept busy teaching clients from a range of sectors that include civil and structural engineers, maintenance workers, highrise window cleaners and all manner of people involved in the construction industry.
Hawkins says rope access is still the safest and most economical way to support workers; it requires fewer personnel, less equipment and minimal downtime, meaner lower costs.
Gina Teel, longtime business writer at the Calgary Herald and currently with the Animal Health Emergency Management Project, is a board member of the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Calgary. Amid the present uncertainty, she says it is more important than ever for public relations and communications professionals to maintain relationships, forge new ones, and refresh their skill sets. Membership in CPRS provides many opportunities for networking, professional development and an avenue for those looking to expand their network — and though March is Membership Month, its incentives to join have been extended to the end of April.
David Parker appears regularly in the Herald. Read his columns online at calgaryherald.com/ business. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or by email at info@davidparker.ca.