Boatswain’s Chair, Control Descent Apparatus (CDA), and Industrial Rope Access are commonly confused as similar techniques for window cleaning and other tasks at height. While all three involve working with ropes, they differ significantly in terms of safety, versatility, and overall effectiveness. This guide explains each method and highlights why Industrial Rope Access stands out as the optimal choice.

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What is a Boatswain’s Chair?

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Defined by the International Window Cleaning Association, a boatswain’s chair is a basic seat designed for a single worker, suspended by a rope system. The user can raise or lower themselves, relying on a straightforward setup consisting of:

• Seat: A wooden plank measuring around 24 inches by 10 inches.

• Tackle: A pulley system using heavy-duty ropes that can support up to 5,400 pounds.

• Anchorage: Roof anchors or similar points of suspension.

• Fall Protection: Workers wear a safety harness connected to an independent lifeline.

• Training & Public Safety: Proper training is required, and the area below must be secured with barriers and warning signs.

 

History

 

The term “boatswain” dates back to the 15th century, referring to a naval officer responsible for a ship's hull and rigging. The word, often pronounced as "bosun," is even referenced in Shakespeare’s The Tempest. Boatswain’s chairs have been used for centuries in naval settings, as well as for major construction projects like Mount Rushmore. However, in modern height work, this method has become outdated and is now replaced by safer, more efficient systems.

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Control Descent Apparatus (CDA)

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Recognized by Cal OSHA, CDA is a method similar to the boatswain’s chair, but with one crucial difference: it only allows workers to descend. Key distinctions include:

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• Height Limits: CDA has a maximum height threshold of 130 feet, compared to the boatswain’s chair’s 75 feet.

• Single Functionality: Unlike a boatswain’s chair, which allows for both ascending and descending, CDA is solely designed for lowering workers.

• Equipment: CDA includes a working line, controlled descent device, seat-board, and a full-body harness for fall protection. It is a commercially produced system, unlike the more rudimentary boatswain’s chair.

 

The Drawbacks of CDA and Boatswain’s Chair

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Both CDA and the boatswain’s chair come with substantial limitations that impact worker safety and efficiency:

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• CDA’s Limited Movement: With CDA, workers can only move downward, restricting their ability to perform tasks efficiently. They cannot ascend or shift horizontally, which significantly reduces reach and effectiveness during operations.

• Boatswain’s Chair Safety Hazards: Despite its capability to ascend and descend, the boatswain’s chair poses serious safety concerns, particularly the inability to self-rescue. This puts workers at high risk of suspension trauma, a dangerous condition where blood flow is restricted due to prolonged hanging in a harness. Without prompt rescue, this can lead to cardiac arrest.

 

Suspension Trauma: When a worker hangs motionless, their leg muscles relax, and the femoral veins are compressed, leading to blood pooling in the lower body. If rescue is delayed beyond 30 minutes, the accumulated lactic acid can cause heart failure once the worker is finally lowered to safety. This makes the boatswain’s chair a risky option for extended tasks at height.

Industrial Rope Access: The Ultimate Solution Industrial Rope Access is by far the most advanced, versatile, and safest method for working at height. Here's why it surpasses both CDA and the boatswain’s chair:

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• Unmatched Safety: Rope access workers operate in teams, ensuring no one works alone. Teams are highly trained and certified by governing bodies like SPRAT and IRATA, and the use of specialized equipment allows for self-rescue, virtually eliminating the risks associated with suspension trauma. Workers wear full-body harnesses with sub-pelvic leg straps and suspension trauma straps, enabling them to stand up in their harnesses and relieve pressure on the arteries, ensuring blood circulation continues.

• Full Range of Movement: Unlike the restrictive CDA, Industrial Rope Access allows for complete freedom of movement. Workers can ascend, descend, and even move horizontally with ease, making it the most adaptable system for high-level tasks. Whether the job involves window cleaning, inspection, or maintenance, rope access maximizes efficiency and reach.

• Rigorous Standards: Industrial Rope Access follows strict safety protocols, requiring two independent anchor points and two separate lines. Every piece of equipment, from ascenders and descenders to certified helmets with chin straps and side padding, meets the highest safety standards, including compliance with ANSI regulations.

• Team Expertise: Technicians must pass hands-on certification exams and log hours of experience to achieve different levels of accreditation, ensuring that only the most skilled workers are trusted with rope access operations. This meticulous level of training and oversight guarantees superior performance and safety on every project.

 

Why The Rope Guys?

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The Rope Guys is your top choice for industrial rope access services. Our certified technicians are not only experts in rope access but are also trained across a wide range of height-related tasks such as window cleaning, painting, inspections, safety, maintenance, cleaning, pressure washing, and waterproofing. 

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• Certified Technicians: Our team is SPRAT and IRATA certified, ensuring the highest standards of safety and expertise.

• Comprehensive Services: In addition to rope access, we are skilled in operating boom lifts, suspended scaffolding, and other access methods.

• Fully Insured: We carry comprehensive insurance, providing peace of mind for every job, no matter how complex.

 

Industrial Rope Access is not just the safest option; it's the most effective and versatile solution for all your height-related projects. Don’t settle for outdated methods like the boatswain’s chair or CDA. Choose The Rope Guys and let our team of experts deliver the results you need with confidence and precision.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING OSHA REGULATIONS CLICK HERE