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ABC RS02 Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines V2.1 (Oct 2014)

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ABC RS02 Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines V2.1 (Oct 2014) www.abcwalls.co.uk | ABC RS02 (October 2014) Association of British Climbing Walls Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines 2 1. PURPOSE, SCOPE & LIMITATIONS The ABC Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines (the Guidelines) outline Best Practice for route and boulder setting, as endorsed by the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC) in consultation with industry experts. The Guidelines are designed to help climbing wall operators and setters meet their legal obligations. ABC members must conform to these guidelines. The Guidelines cover the responsibilities of setters and climbing wall operators in relation to setting in a commercial environment. They do not cover creating new lines on natural rock, building climbing walls or wall maintenance. While in some centres, the setter may have additional responsibilities such as wall and equipment inspections, these are outside the remit of these guidelines. It is understood and accepted that site-specific circumstances may require a different approach to what is provided for in the Guidelines. In the case of such deviations, the onus is on the setter or operator to complete their own risk assessment and develop procedures to adequately control any additional risks created. The employment status of setters is considered with respect to health and safety implications, but the financial and tax consequences are not covered. 2. TERMS AND DEFINITIONS COSSH. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health. Hazard. Something with the potential to cause harm. Hold. Removable climbing component used for progression on an ACS. (EN 12572:3) LOLER. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. MEWP. Mobile Elevating Work Platform. Risk. The likelihood that a particular harm will arise from a hazard and the severity of that harm. Setting. The creative act of putting climbing holds and volumes on an climbing wall in a particular order with the result being a route or boulder problem of a defined grade. Setter means both Boulder and Route Setters. Where there is a distinction the term ‘Route Setter’ or ‘Boulder Setter’ will be used. Volume. A removable structure that can either be used as a climbing hold (if not designed to be used with additional climbing holds) or as part of the wall itself (if designed to be used with additional climbing holds). WAHR. Working at Height Regulations. Work at height. Work undertaken at any height where there is a risk of personal injury should the worker fall. 3. EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND INSURANCE All setters must comply with the WAHR regardless of whether they are employed by a climbing wall or freelance contractors. Irrespective of the an operator labelling a setter as a contractor or an employee, a court of law may find otherwise. The nature of the relationship is determined on a case-by-case basis looking at a number of factors. The tax status of an individual does not preclude them from having a different status under employment law. ABC RS02 Issue 2.1(October 2014) © Association of British Climbing Walls, 2014 Association of British Climbing Walls Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines 3 3.1. EMPLOYER DUTIES Employers have a duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of their employees and any person who could be harmed as a result of their activities. This includes activities carried out by contractors. The employer must: • Conduct a risk assessment for all work activities; • Name someone responsible for health and safety within the organisation; • Explain risk controls and provide adequate training to employees; • Ensure that those involved in work at height are trained and competent; • Consult with employees on relevant health and safety issues; • Have adequate first aid provision; • Report any incidents (RIDDOR); • Select, provide, inspect and maintain suitable work equipment. This includes maintaining inspection records; • Ensure that all work at height is properly planned and organised including having an emergency and rescue plan; and • Ensure that the place where work at height is done is safe: the climbing wall must be fit for purpose, safe to use and properly inspected and maintained. 3.2. EMPLOYING SETTERS AS CONTRACTORS Even where the setter is a freelance contractors, climbing wall operators still have a requirement to: 1. Select a suitable contractor. • Identify the work that needs to be done. • Consider the experience and competence of the contractor. Ask for references. • Review their management arrangements – what procedures do they use? How do they inspect and check their equipment? 2. Exchange information. • Site rules and induction including emergency procedures. • Specific site hazards and relevant control measures. 3. Agree the method of work. • Identify the potential hazards. • Specify the method of work and control measures to remove/minimise risk. • Identify how the work will be supervised and managed. ABC RS02 Issue 2.1(October 2014) © Association of British Climbing Walls, 2014 Association of British Climbing Walls Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines 4 4. Monitor the work. • Check that agreed procedures are being adhered to before and during the work. • Review performance after work has been completed. • Investigate and follow up any near misses or accidents. 3.3. INSURANCE It is a legal requirement for all employers to have employer’s liability insurance which covers the cost of compensation for claims made by employees for accidents and illness during their work. Employers must display a copy of their Certificate of Employers’ Liability Insurance. Additionally, nearly all climbing wall operators have public liability insurance which will cover the costs of a claim from a member of the public. Whether a contractor is covered by the employer’s public liability insurance policy should be agreed in advance with the insurer. Contractors are not legally required to have their own liability insurance, though such insurance is available and may be requested by climbing wall operators. 4. RISK ASSESSMENTS AND CONTROL MEASURES Under health and safety legislation, employers must conduct a risk assessment for all work activities. If they employ more than 5 people they must have a written health and safety policy. In any case, it is a legal requirement for all employers and contractors to conduct a risk assessment for any work at height. While there are several methods for determining risk, for the purposes of these guidelines, a simple classification may be used: • Low – not likely to occur or not likely to cause serious injury. • Medium – occurs occasionally or could cause serious injury. • High – occurs frequently or could cause serious injury or death. The HSE’s guidance ‘Five Steps to Risk Assessment’ outline the basic principles for any risk assessment. Appendix A has a sample risk assessment for route setting activities. It is not exhaustive nor does it replace the requirement for employers and contractors to conduct their own site- specific risk assessment. ABC RS02 Issue 2.1(October 2014) © Association of British Climbing Walls, 2014 Association of British Climbing Walls Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines 5 5. EQUIPMENT WAHR has some general principles and LOLER has specific guidance about equipment selection, use and inspection. 5.1. SELECTION Equipment for working at height must: • Have adequate strength. In particular, anchors must be able to withstand forces imposed on them; • Meet standards relevant for intended use (ie PPE should be CE marked); and • Be uniquely identifiable. Category Notes Ropes • 10 – 11mm diameter low-stretch ropes are recommended. • Dynamic ropes of the same diameter may be used; however, they may complicate rescues and may not be appropriate for use with some equipment. • All ropes must be rated as single ropes. Harnesses • Setters may use either sit harnesses or full body harnesses (this includes sit harnesses with modular chest attachments). Sit harnesses (conforming to EN12277) are commonly used because they are less restrictive when testing routes. Fall Arrest harnesses may be used (conforming to EN361), this is less common practise. • A work positioning seat may be used for comfort- it is not part of the protection system. Helmets • Helmets may be mountaineering type helmets conforming to EN12492 or industrial type helmets (EN397 or EN 14052). • Helmets must be used when there is a danger of injury from falling objects or impact to the head (e.g. when working below another setter or fall arrest climbing). Connectors • All connectors will be locking type suitable for climbing or industrial (carabiners) purposes (EN362 or EN12275). • Maillons are also acceptable if compliant as above. Descenders • Descenders should be auto-locking, conform to the relevant European standard (EN12841C or EN341A) and be compatible with the rope type and diameter. Ascenders • Ascenders should conform to the relevant European standard (EN12841B or EN567). Backup • The device should withstand foreseeable loads and conform to EN devices 12841-A. • Backup devices should lock automatically, help absorb any shock and not cause damage to the rope. • Setters should select a lanyard appropriate for use with the backup system. ABC RS02 Issue 2.1(October 2014) © Association of British Climbing Walls, 2014 Association of British Climbing Walls Route and Boulder Setting Guidelines 6 Category Notes Kit bags, • Bags and buckets should be strong enough to safely support the buckets, expected load and be checked before each use. haul bags • Setters should consider the effect of the bag/bucket on equipment loads and rescues when positioning the bag/bucket. It is preferable that the bag/bucket be attached to a dedicated haul line. • A secure method should be used to haul equipment/holds to avoid objects being dropped. 5.2. USER TRAINING AND COMPETENCY Where employees are provided with equipment, the operator must ensure that they are also provided with such information, instruction and training as necessary so that they are competent to carry out the work safely. Employees must be aware of and understand: • The risks that the equipment will avoid or limit; • How to correctly and safely use the equipment; and • How to conduct a simple visual/tactile pre-use check to ensure that equipment is safe to use.
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