Comprehensive solutions for high-risk environments with expert consultancy, specialist training, and safety equipment
ActSafe ACX Case Study Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall (RAH) partnered with REAX in 2025 to introduce ActSafe ACX powered ascenders into their in-house rigging operations.
Responsible for lighting, sound, and staging infrastructure beneath the iconic dome, RAH’s rigging team needed a safer and more efficient way to access working heights of up to 41 metres, without relying solely on manual rope access or restrictive lifting methods.
This case study highlights how powered ascenders, supported by REAX training and servicing, transformed access, lifting, and rescue capability within a historic and complex venue.
Read the Full Case Study
View the full Royal Albert Hall case study to explore the project, training, and operational outcomes in detail.
Read the full case study (PDF) ↗︎
The Challenge
RAH faced several operational challenges unique to theatre rigging:
- Frequent access to multiple rigging levels up to 41 metres
- Repetitive manual rope ascents causing fatigue
- Limited anchor points restricting chain hoist use
- Need to lift technical equipment safely and accurately
- Requirement for accredited, on-site training
A powered solution was needed that could support both personnel and equipment lifting, while improving safety and efficiency.
The Solution: ActSafe ACX Powered Ascenders
REAX recommended and supplied two ActSafe ACX units, supported by a complete package including:
- Pre-purchase technical consultation
- Accredited two-day on-site training
- Guidance on rigging configurations and rescue techniques
- Ongoing servicing and inspection support
The ACX’s ability to operate in anchor-limited environments, combined with remote control and rope-based lifting systems, made it ideally suited to theatre rigging applications.
Implementation
RAH adopted the ACX units through a structured rollout:
- Consultation: REAX worked with the Senior Rigging Supervisor to confirm suitability and setup options
- Training: A two-day accredited on-site course covered personnel access, equipment lifting, rescue options, and maintenance
- Operational Use: ACX units were integrated into routine rigging tasks for faster access and flexible lifting
- Servicing: A six-monthly servicing plan was introduced to maintain compliance and reliability
“Training with Andy was great. He really knows his stuff and understood our industry well.”
— Royal Albert Hall Rigging Team
Results and Benefits
The introduction of powered ascenders delivered measurable improvements:
- Faster access with ascent speeds of up to 24 m/min
- Reduced physical fatigue during repeated rigging tasks
- Improved safety and rescue capability through remote operation
- Greater lifting flexibility compared to fixed chain hoists
- Long-term compliance through accredited training and servicing
Our Complete ActSafe ACX Package
We support clients with the full lifecycle of powered ascender use:
All tailored to your site, your team, and your operational needs.
Improving Safety, Reducing Fatigue, Delivering Projects Faster
In the summer of 2025, REAX partnered with Altrad Services, a leading industrial services provider, to support a challenging high-altitude cladding reinforcement project using ActSafe ACX powered ascenders.
The project involved repeated access to a 50-metre-high building elevation, carried out by a small three-person team working under tight time and safety constraints. Traditional access methods were physically demanding, time-consuming, and increased the risk of fatigue in a high-risk environment.
This case study highlights how the introduction of powered ascenders, supported by REAX training, consultancy, and equipment support, transformed the way the project was delivered.
Read the Full Case Study
View the full Altrad Services case study to explore the project in detail, including site feedback and operational insights.
👉 Read the full case study (PDF) ↗︎
The Challenge
Altrad’s team faced several operational pressures:
- Repeated daily ascents and descents of up to 50 metres
- Limited team size with minimal opportunity for rotation
- High physical strain from manual rope access or stair climbing
- Tight project deadlines running through the summer period
- Increased fatigue risk impacting safety and productivity
With access efficiency and worker wellbeing critical to project success, an alternative solution was needed.
The Solution: ActSafe ACX Powered Ascenders
REAX supplied and supported two ActSafe ACX powered ascenders, delivering a complete package that included:
- Accredited training for personnel and equipment lifting
- On-site consultancy to support safe integration
- Equipment provision and technical guidance
- Ongoing operational support throughout the project
The ACX units were deployed over an eight-week period and used daily for personnel access and equipment handling, significantly reducing physical demands on the team
The Results
The impact was immediate and measurable:
- Project duration reduced by approximately two weeks
- Significant reduction in worker fatigue and physical strain
- Improved safety margins through enhanced rescue capability
- Reliable battery performance with minimal downtime
- Increased confidence and efficiency across the team
Beyond this project, Altrad identified clear opportunities to adopt powered ascenders across future works.
Why This Matters
This project demonstrates how powered ascenders, when paired with the right training and planning, can:
- Improve safety in demanding work-at-height environments
- Protect workforce wellbeing
- Increase productivity without increasing risk
- Deliver real programme and cost efficiencies
Our Complete ActSafe ACX Package
We support clients with the full lifecycle of powered ascender use:
All tailored to your site, your team, and your operational needs.
In a confined space emergency, escape breathing apparatus may be the only thing standing between a safe evacuation and a serious incident.
But not all escape sets are the same and choosing the wrong type can significantly reduce their effectiveness. Understanding how different escape sets seal, fit, and operate is essential for safe confined space work.
Watch the full video:
Compressed escape sets are designed to provide a short supply of breathable air, allowing workers to escape safely from a contaminated or oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
While they share common components such as a sealed compressed air cylinder, pressure reduction valve, and low-pressure delivery system the method of sealing to the wearer is what creates the biggest difference in performance.
If the seal fails, the protection fails.
Practical Steps / Key Takeaways
When selecting escape sets for confined space work, consider:
- Snorkel / neck-seal escape sets
- Seal around the neck using a neoprene skirt
- Suitable for people with facial hair or glasses
- Often preferred where a reliable face seal cannot be guaranteed
See how to correctly operate a smoke hood escape set↗︎
- Full face mask escape sets
- Rely on a tight seal around the face
- Facial hair can compromise the seal
- Best suited to clean-shaven users with correct face fit
See how to correctly operate a positive pressure face mask↗︎
- Both types:
- Use automatic activation
- Provide limited-duration air for escape only
- Must be selected based on the individual, not convenience
Escape planning isn’t about ticking a box; it’s about ensuring systems function when people are under pressure.
Our training and consultancy focus on real-world use, helping teams select equipment that works in practice not just on paper.
Need help with your confined space safety?
Our training and consultancy services can help you plan, train, and operate safely.
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Having confidence in your kit is as important as the training you receive. Reax can advise you on the best solution for your situation and guarantee a competitive price. We also can ensure your kit stays fit for purpose through our PPE inspection and Servicing team. We can even hire you replacement kit while your kit is being serviced.
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We are committed to finding the right solution for you. This means you can rest assured that your next major project is covered by a bespoke rescue plan that has been made in consultation, not a pre packed formula.
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FAQs
We have put some answers to the most commonly asked questions regarding our training below . If you have a question we have not answered, click on contact us
REAX stands for RESCUE & ACCESS. These have been the cornerstones of the training we provide and equipment we supply. Whether working at height, in a confined space, or you are faced with an injured colleague in the workplace our goal is to empower you to use your skills in the most difficult of environments, safely.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that “Employers must protect workers from health and safety risks.” Personal Protective Equipment or PPE is any piece of equipment that will protect a person from injury or harm while performing a work-related task.
All Instructors at REAX have come through our onboarding programme. The programme takes you from skilled practitioner to someone able to breakdown the technical aspects of a task or activity and teach others to use them confidently and safely. We have developed a series of training pathways that will give you all the attributes to become an instructor. If you have passion to teach others, then we would love to hear from you.
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Through our network of suppliers we can access the best quality equipment. While we constantly hold a great deal of stock some items will be shipped on order direct from the manufacturer. In short, if it is a piece of specialist equipment for working at height, in a confined space, rescue or first aid, our Equipment Team can find the right piece of kit for you.
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