OT Question about rope condition

[Captain Larry-DH]

Off the sailing topic but sailors are rope "mavens" so I'd like other opinions: Window cleaners are working outside the office building, and the rope cover on the left looks to me like it's seriously UV-degraded and chafed. If it was on my boat I'd replace it; but these guys are hanging 9 stories up and I'm more than a little concerned. I'm planning to report this concern to the building management, but don't want to be unreasonable. (I realize the construction and type of the rope is a big factor, and strength isn't really affected by cover condition if it has a high-modulus core with protective sheath.)
What do you think --
Is this damage "just cosmetic" to a cover that doesn't count much in considering the overall strength, or should this rope be reported as possibly dangerous?

 

[Tom J]

It looks degraded alright. Maybe the window cleaners are depending on their safety harnesses to keep them from falling if the rope breaks.

 

[dlochner]

I wouldn't hang from that rope. If it is used to support a hose or buckets, fairly lightweight stuff, then it is probably ok, but, no so much for humans.

 

[thinwater]

a. What is the size? Often they are oversized to allow for this, often 2x the required strength.
b. He's on two ropes. One is taking the wear from his descender, the other is the safety line.

Yeah, it looks about done, but I'm betting it's not as scary as it looks to you. The combined safety factor is nearly 100:1 when new. Also, it's probably more wear than UV. I doubt that took more than a year or so.

 

[jssailem]

It looks scary to me and if on my boat I would be replacing said rope.

I wonder what the OSHA requirements are for rope holding a window washer 9 stories up.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

It was reported, and the reply:
"Larry,
Thank you! I have passed this concern along to the supervisor for the job.
B"

 

[thinwater]

It looks scary to me and if on my boat I would be replacing said rope.

I wonder what the OSHA requirements are for rope holding a window washer 9 stories up.

5400 pounds breaking strength, two independent lines. But many use 1/2-inch, which is more like 10,000 pounds, because they can use it a LOT longer. But I don't know.

Unlike sailors who's lines often die from UV, lines used every day like that die from abrasion, and thus a worn line is stronger than you think. The danger is cutting or rigging errors, not wear.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

But many use 1/2-inch,

This appeared to be half-inch

 

[sgiarc]

When it comes to that type of "rope" all the strength is in the core. The cover is just there to protect the core. As a former rock climber the main concerns were embedded dirt and had anyone taken a significant fall with the rope. A major fall on a brand new rope and the rope could be finished after one use.

 

[Tom J]

A major fall on a brand new rope and the rope could be finished after one use.

True of most safety gear. Every time my son crashed his motorcycle at the racetrack, he had to throw the helmet away, and they were expensive helmets.

 

[capta]

sgiarc got it bang on.