Topic/Activity/Issue: Climbing Area Page: 1 of 5 TASK/ OPERATION: Operating Climbing Wall Operating Procedure Developed by: Steve Allard Manager Paccar Scout Camp Approved By: Steve Allard Date: 23/11/10 Review Completed by: Jamie Brunt Approved By: Steve Allard Date: June 2012 Scaffolding Hazard How it might cause harm from not carrying out correct procedures Persons at risk Existing Control measures Risk Rating Proposed Control Measures other visitors to site Qualified Staff only are allowed to operate the climbing tower. Staff must hold Single Pitch Top Rope Climbing Supervisory Permit issued by the Scout Association or an external National Governing Body Qualification Result 12 Before session starts the supervisor must : Check Climbing Area Check Ground Anchors Check Scaffolding Tower Check Scaffold Boards & Kick Boards Check Scaffold Anchor Points. Check Hand Holds Any Faults Found Must Be Logged and session suspended until fault has been rectified. Risk Rating Checks to carried out by an external Competent
personnel every six months and logged onto system Unauthorised Access and movement around site and activity from incorrect use Slips, trips and falls Broken bones Strains and twists other visitors to site Appropriate signs identifying the restricted Areas. Safety equipment to be stored in locked shed when not in use Participants will be instructed never to run and to be aware of the ground underfoot, to avoid walking on damp areas & to be aware of trees, branches, brambles and roots. Result 12 At changeover of groups area must never be left unsupervised Instructor to be in area before participants arrives. Assemble group quickly, give clear concise instructions. Participants will have had a site tour prior to commencement of activity, detailing any obvious spots of danger. Equipment Failure from faulty equipment other visitors to site Checked prior to use by instructor Result 12 Before each session starts all equipment must be logged out for use. Each piece of equipment is tagged with an ID number that ID number must be logged into the equipment usage book identifying the date and number of hours it was used, and by whom and for what purpose eg leading, abseiling etc.
ROUTINE INSPECTIONS Six weekly inspection of equipment both static and safety carried out and logged on computer. Faulty Participants lack of knowledge Failure to carry out a safety talk can cause Serious major Injury from fall Death, Broken Bones laceration to arms, legs, head other visitors from fall Safety Talk from Instructor must be carried out prior to commencing session Result 15 During Safety Talk instructor must identify the competency of each climber by asking who has and has not climbed before. The instructor must mention the safe areas and the areas of danger and where safety equipment must be worn. They must also explain how a harness is worn and why it is worn. How to tie a double figure of 8 knot and stopper knot. They must explain the calls used eg that s me, ready to climb, climb when ready. The must explain about the 3 points of contact, and that no person should start to climb until their equipment has been checked and they are tied into the safety rope Result 5 Falls from height from fall other visitors All participants must wear safety helmets, and trainers. No No climber should be allowed onto the wall either
Adverse Weather Conditions Death, Broken Bones laceration to arms, legs, head Lightening strike, poor visibility from fall boots should be worn. Users and spectators and instructors MUST NOT step into climbing area unless wearing a safety helmet Activity stopped during electrical storms, heavy rain, fog, and icy conditions Result 10 Severity 2 from the bottom or the top unless tied into a rope on their harness which must also be clipped on to the scaffolding and secured through a gri-gri belay device which in turn is secured to a ground anchor No Climber may proceed until a safety check of their harness and equipment is carried out by an instructor Activity cancelled in high winds Result 5 Severity 2 Result 2 Windy Conditions Tower collapse Fall from wall Staff & Participants Check weather conditions before commencing session, use handheld anemometer to check that wind speed is below 45 knots severe gale. If above 45 knots session must be suspended. Loose fittings Tower collapse Staff & Participants Monthly checks by qualified staff must be carried out on the scaffold tower, checks on all fittings, and boards must be recorded on form PACWALL1 Severity 2 Wait 20 minutes and check wind speed again before commencing session. If still above 45 knots suspend session for another 20 minuets
Harnesses and helmets incorrectly fitted from incorrectly fitting equipment Helmet may drop off, or harness not hold the participant Instructor must explain how a harness is worn and why it is worn. How to tie a double figure of 8 knot and stopper knot. They must explain no person should start to build until their equipment has been checked and they are tied into the safety rope Result 5 Hair, jewellery or loose fitting clothing Items may get trapped in equipment Before climbing participants are asked to remove jewellery, tuck away hair, loose clothing and draw cords etc. Leader to provide safety briefing. The belay device and belaying Incorrect use may result in dropping another participant Either Activity Leader will belay or will monitor the participants belaying themselves. Activity Leader to train the participants in the correct techniques to belay (and then supervise) prior to belaying Leader to provide safety briefing. Rope burn Major burns can be caused by friction if rope allowed to run The speed of lower off is controlled by the Activity Leader to minimise rope burn Activity leader to directly supervise lower offs.
through hand Activity Leader to brief the participants on the possibility of rope burn when belaying.