Hang in There: Rope Access for Dam Safety Inspections: Agenda
July 14, 2026
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Eastern
- Welcome and Introduction
- Goals of the session
- Speaker introductions
- High-level overview of rope access in dam safety
- Section 1: Fundamentals of Rope Access
- Rope access history and evolution in infrastructure
- Comparison with traditional methods (scaffolding, boats, etc.)
- Equipment, safety systems, and redundancy
- Training & certification (SPRAT/IRATA)
- Applicability to dams and appurtenances
- Section 2: Inspection Planning and Execution
- Safety planning and risk assessments
- Coordination with owners/operators
- Inspection logistics
- Confined space and emergency rescue planning
- Example of a complex planning scenario
- Section 3: Technical Execution and Data Collection
- Visual inspection workflows
- Typical rope access maneuvers
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) at height
- Digital tools (cameras, tablets, 3D photogrammetry)
- Deliverables: CAD markups, defect logs, reports
- Section 4: Case Studies in Rope Access Inspections
- Featured Case Studies:
- Radial gate inspection
- Rock fall/slope assessment – maybe ask Casey on Hell Hole
- Confined Space – conduit/penstock
- Featured Case Studies:
- Closing Remarks (10 min)
- Summary of key takeaways
- Final thoughts and contact info
