Safety Policy: Climbing & tree climbing

Venue: On-site climbing walls

Instructor Qualification:

Instructor MT Rock Climbing Instructor or,

MT Climbing Wall Instructor

Assistant Competent adult with suitable in-house training

Visiting staff and group members may assist following instruction and under supervision of Instructor

Other There must be at least one responsible adult present during session aware of the abilities and disabilities within the group

Ratio: 1 Instructor to 8 Participants, No more than 2 active ropes per Instructor.

Maximum number of climbers in hall at one time – two groups of eight

Equipment:

All equipment must conform to current EN standards
Logged monthly inspections will be carried out
Equipment checked when setting up and putting away

Pre Session:

To be carried out prior to arrival of group, unless unavoidable
All equipment to be set up or checked by instructor responsible for session noting:
- Walls to be rigged in accordance with procedure
- Equipment in good condition and fully functional
- Safe practices observed when setting up
- Ensure climbing zones and fire exits are clear of obstructions

Session:

Instructor responsibilities:

To assess needs and aims of group, including consideration of medical issues
To pass on safety information, as appropriate, eg, helmets, low level traversing, potential hazards, climbing calls
To ensure appropriate manual handling
To ensure that equipment is used correctly and the activity is carried out safely

Group supervision:

Instructor to maintain an awareness of the whole group – involving visiting staff in this
Instructor to stress that safety on the climbing wall is his main responsibility and that group control is the responsibility of visiting staff members

Climbing equipment:

Harnesses must be correctly fitted in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and checked by instructor before roped climber leaves the ground.
Appropriate sizing and fitting is crucial and is the Instructor’s responsibility
Chest harness must be used when necessary (eg underdeveloped hips or if there is a danger of inverting)
Harnesses must be visible to allow constant check and waist belt must be above hip bone
Participants must remain on belay system when off the ground (unless bouldering under supervision)

Clothing:

Ensure appropriate clothing and footwear is worn
Where necessary ensure that baggy clothing is tucked away, rings and watches removed, long hair tied back, helmet straps tucked, sharp objects removed from pockets

End of Session:

Equipment to be put away, unless other arrangements made
When equipment is to be left out (eg for following session) steps should be taken to prevent tampering
As when setting up instructor must observe safe practice and take care with equipment.
Faulty equipment should be labelled and removed from service. The fault should be logged (staffroom whiteboard/check sheet) and made good as soon as possible.

THE INSTRUCTOR HAS FINAL SAY IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A SESSION TAKES PLACE AND IN WHAT MANNER IT IS CARRIED OUT

Activity: Tree Climbing

Venue: On-site Sessile Oak tree – as per inspection.