Performing Industrial Rope Access Work in New York City

The rigger's license, either a special rigger or master rigger license, is issued by the Department of Buildings once a candidate has successfully completed a city-approved suspended scaffold course and city-issued practical examination of rigging knowledge and has submitted documentation of a minimum number of hours and days performing rigging tasks under the supervision of a licensed rigger. Vertical Access President Kent Diebolt has held a special rigger's license since 2000, and will continue to maintain his license for Vertical Access LLC, along with Partner Evan Kopelson, who received a special rigger's license in February 2010.

The CD-5 permit required for performing rope access work in New York City is issued by the Cranes and Derricks Unit of the Department of Buildings. The permit application must include documentation of required insurance, rigging plans and information on public and site safety at street level. VA obtains a CD-5 permit for every rope access project falling under the jurisdiction of the City of New York Department of Buildings. In performing rope access work, all persons using individual support lines must meet one of the following two criteria:

1. be under the direct supervision of the CD-5 permit applicant and certified by either the Society of Professional Rope Access Technicians (SPRAT) or Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA); or
2. be a licensed architect or engineer trained in accordance with SPRAT or IRATA guidelines and on full-belay by the applicant or person under the applicant's direct supervision.