Questions and Answers

For safety purposes, it means always supporting a rope user's weight with two or more points. Even if one securing point fails, there is still another point remaining, preventing a fall. "

"The term '2-Point Security' is written in quotation marks to emphasize that it's a fundamental safety technique. It may also be written as '2-Point Security' technique. The same convention applies to related terms like 'Two-Rope Security' and 'Lifeline'."

'Two-Point Security' forms the safety foundation of Three-Dimensional Rope Access Technique [SORAT]. As long as you consistently maintain this simple technique of 'Two-Point Security,' safety is assured.

"Yes. When conducting 'investigation, inspection, and examination' activities using [SORAT] methodology, lifelines are not required. This exemption is specifically documented in the 'transitional measures' clause of the regulations."

While this may be temporary, it's currently acceptable. When lifeline use becomes mandatory, we will certainly comply, implementing lifeline usage on top of our 'Two-Point Security' protocol. Notably, the regulations include a specific exemption for [SORAT] techniques under the'transitional measures' clause. This indicates that the regulation authors understand both [SORAT] methodology and 'Two-Point Security' principles. It feels like an implicit endorsement, suggesting they recognize the validity of our technical approach and encourage its continued development.

"It all started when I quit my office job to establish Keystone as an independent venture. This was back in 1991, over 30 years ago. Being afraid to turn down any work opportunities, I was eagerly accepting every job that came along. Then one day, I received a call about conducting a rock cliff inspection... and that's how it all began."""

The chronology of major incidents includes the 1987 Sounkyo Amagi Rock Fall, the 1989 Echizen Coastal Tunnel Collapse, the 1996 Toyohama Tunnel Collapse, and the 1997 Second Shiroto Tunnel Collapse. The Toyohama and Shiroto incidents were particularly significant as they led to the establishment of the current comprehensive road infrastructure safety inspection protocol.

Actually, the company headquarters is in Nara Prefecture, while our main base of operations is in Kyoto. As for why Kyoto is our main base - when we started the company, all our initial staff lived in Kyoto, so naturally our workplace ended up being in Kyoto too...

"Back when Keystone was first established, we had accepted a job working on rock faces. While wondering how to handle it, I often used the clean bathrooms in the back of this trendy collection of shops called ギャレ in the basement level of JR Osaka Station. One day, as I was about to enter, I almost bumped into a big man coming out. When I looked up, it was 土倉さん, a climber I knew from before. If that hadn't happened, today's Keystone might not exist. Interesting how things work out, isn't it?"