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The AGHP Mourns Co-Chair of the Rope Access Committee and Champion of Safe Rope Access Protocols and Cultures
The Association of Geohazard Professionals mourns the passing of John Duffy on May 15, 2024. John was cochair of the AGHP’s Rope Access Committee and has been with the AGHP from its inception. His leadership and desire to create positive change will be sorely missed. John was a retired Caltrans Engineering Geologist, and later an Engineering Geologist consultant for Yeh and Associates. John was an astute and practical Engineering Geologist who generously shared his knowledge with fellow colleagues. He was an adventurer and innovator.
In 1988 John was instrumental in starting Caltrans Rock Climbing and Bank Scaling program. He along with fellow Caltrans Engineering Geologist, Tim Beck, recognized a need for engineers, geologists, and maintenance employees to access steep rock slopes safely utilizing ropes. They created techniques that have flourished into a successful program that continues to this day. Since its inception, almost 3000 professionals have completed the Caltrans Bank Scaling & Rock Climbing program and have used these techniques to help make our highways safer over the last several decades. John developed Caltrans detailed slope assessment form, which he then shared with the AGHP and many other professionals around the world. This form has helped rock slope professionals to recognize and document safe slope access, dangerous areas of a slope, and safe slope egress points, by utilizing checklists, sketches, and fill-in-the-blank questions.
As Co-Chair of the AGHP’s Rope Access Committee, John was instrumental in formulating the committee’s position on establishing rope access protocols and cultures to make our industry safer, while at the same time allowing professionals to work efficiently. John was also instrumental in setting up the AGHP’s annual rope access safety recognition program, which continues today and grows on an annual basis.
