AERIAL EXTREME - GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT (2014) HIGH ROPES ADVENTURE COURSES (COURSE OPERATION)

Transcription

1 AERIAL EXTREME - GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT (2014) HIGH ROPES ADVENTURE COURSES (COURSE OPERATION) Weather Cold & wet & H H to check that all participants have suitable clothing and footwear before starting conditions Strong winds All M VH Site Managers will close the course if the wind affects the safety of participants (usually gale force winds) Site Managers will carry out a full inspection of the course prior to re opening Lightning and/or & L VH will close the course during lightning storm storms If caught out during a lightening storm, then the and participants must cease the activities immediately and seek appropriate shelter away from the structures, following Mass Evacuation Procedures Terrain Tree deadfall All H VH are to be generally aware of the condition of the trees at the start of each day, and in particular after high winds or storms AE will actively remove deadwood from trees when required Trees should be inspected at intervals recommended within the UK Ropes Course Guide second edition (February 2010) Tripping All M M to brief participants about specific trip hazards prior to entering activity site (if applicable) All trip hazards are to be made highly visible, access restricted and edges softened (where possible) Equipment Harnesses and All M VH to brief all participants on the correct fitting of all the safety equipment prior to starting helmet incorrectly to check each individual at the clipping on point of every course fitted (where The correct fitting of helmets and harnesses must be included in the Induction Training Course applicable) The safety lanyard for participants must always be clipped onto the sternal (front) attachment point and never to the dorsal (rear) attachment point of the harness Trapped hair, clothing & jewellery & M M are to be vigilant for hair, clothing and jewellery that may cause injury to the participant, and brief the individual accordingly Faulty equipment All VL VH All safety equipment has a log, that relates to its age and condition to carry out daily checks of PPE, fall arrest systems and Powerfans (in accordance with the Instructor Manual) Site Managers are responsible for ensuring monthly equipment checks are performed and logged (in accordance with the instructor manual) Additionally fall arrest systems and the Powerfan are externally serviced in line with the manufacturer guidelines Any equipment failing inspection is retired and removed from service and kept in a quarantined area away from live equipment (in accordance with the instructor manual) Injuries All L H Site Managers will ensure there is always a member of on duty with a relevant First Aid qualification Site Managers will ensure the course is never accessed by anyone unless there are two members of staff on site one of which must hold the AE rescue qualification. AE must NEVER access the course as a lone worker and must always work in pairs to aid each other in the event of an incident. Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 1 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

2 Site Managers should aim to have a large proportion of their staff with an appointed person qualifications as a minimum AE must be able to rescue any participant from any part of the course to the ground within 10 minutes may only conduct rescues once they have passed the externally assessed rescue course Falling objects All L VH will brief participants to remove loose or heavy items prior to starting their session For multi level courses, helmets must always be worn whilst taking part AE will fence off areas deemed hazardous for spectators (where appropriate) All will continually monitor the hazard zones for stray spectators to brief accompanying (if applicable) to assist in the management and supervision of these rules on the Tower must ensure that loose items are suitably tethered All L VH in the Tower are to check that all the safety equipment is correctly fitted prior to the participant starting the course (elements) All participants and are to use the CBS or SSB system (whichever is applicable)whilst on the ropes courses on courses with a single belay cable will be required to self belay in order to bypass participants. must never self belay ( cow tails ) on any AE course. All participants to be briefed not to tamper of adjust any of their safety equipment unless authorised to do so by a member of to be continually vigilant for participants trying to tamper or adjust their safety equipment The attachment point to the belay cable is to be out of reach of the participants (whenever possible) (from tower) & L VH are to attach participants in the safe zone within the tower and only lift the safety rope once they have checked that all the safety equipment is correctly fitted (where applicable) must always be attached to a safety lanyard whilst in the operational zones of the tower. Furthermore, they must adopt a safe method for initially attaching themselves to the belay cable in the operational zone When open, elements of the tower that are not in use must be clearly signed as closed (i.e. bottom of the stairs and) When not in use, the tower must be locked There should always be an member of at the Powerfan to meet the participants (transfer to Access to all Powerfans should be restricted by a please wait here for an instructor gate Powerfan ) Where the CBS terminates (if applicable) there will be a safety sling clipped to the belay system to prevent the participants shuttle from coming off will always secure the participant to the Powerfan before removing the safety line (Inversion) & VL VH All participants are to wear a full body harnesses where safe to do so. Chests harness must be used with sit harness s for participants whose body shape increases the likelihood of a fall if inverted e.g. slim children, top heavy or pear shaped adults & VH H AE will ensure that the fall factor (length of fall/length of rope) is 0.5 or less (Fall factors) Where applicable, AE will use energy absorbing PPE (from staples) All L VH or participants must never ascend any staples without using an approved self belay system (during a rescue inc. cut rope) & L VH All must pass an external assessment before conducting rescues on participants All will have regular rescue training and refresher sessions Rescue ropes at all site to be either black or red static rope. Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 2 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

3 (during rescue lack of practice / wrong techniques) Fall from harness structure (whilst falling) structure (on Powerfan ) structure another participant Unable to be Rescued Other Support structural failure (trees & vertical posts) Secondary structure failure (platforms, safety rigging, wires etc ) & & & Site safety lanyards must be a distinctly different colour from the rescue rope No unclipping/cutting of the safety lanyard until Site Manager has checked and approved Site Managers will conduct regular refresher scenario based training sessions one a month Site Managers to carry out spot checks Returning instructors will require refresher training, even if qualified, at the start of each season or contract Site Manager are to monitor qualified staff and when they last conducted a rescue or team build session, and give refresher training accordingly L VH Everyone must always be attached using the sternal (front) attachment point and never to the dorsal (rear) attachment point of the harness to check each individual at every clipping on point of every course (including Powerfan ) to be vigilant for participants that are using excessive effort to regain their footing after a fall, in particular when they raise their feet above waist level to check participants PPE when assisting back onto an obstacle or after a fall L M To reduce fall length, AE will provide varying lengths of Safety Lanyard to compensate for participants of different heights will be trained during their induction on the correct fitting of the Safety Lanyard for different height participants M M Site Managers are responsible for ensuring that any potential collision points are cushioned must individually brief each participants on the correct step off procedure & L H On angled elements, AE will provide stoppers on the wires to prevent sliding backwards & M H are to brief participants during the Safety Brief about the importance of keeping a suitable distance between each other (i.e. no more than 1 person per element & 3 people per platform) are to continually vigilant for participants trying that are too close together, especially the Zip Wires All M H There must always be a link in the system that can be cut during rescue Rescue and scenario based training carried out under Site Managers supervision All VL VH An inaugural inspection must take place once constructed and before use as recommended within the UK Ropes Course Guide second edition (February 2010) Independent inspections must be carried out by a Type C inspector at least once a year Trees and poles should be inspected at intervals recommended within the UK Ropes Course Guide second edition (February 2010) All VL VH AE High Ropes Adventure Courses are to be inspected and certificated annually by an independent Type C inspector carry out daily and monthly visual checks of structure, and report any findings. (in accordance with the instructor manual ) No more than 1 customer per element & 3 participants per platform must not weigh more than 120kg are to be continually vigilant for participants overloading elements or platforms Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 3 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

4 Failure of to All L VH AE will conduct a high level of spot checking, to include internal and external follow procedure Unauthorised All H VH to brief participants to not go onto any activity without consent from a member of access Clear signs to be posted at regular intervals at all High Ropes Adventure Courses stating no unauthorised access Gates to the site to be kept locked when the site is not in use (where applicable) Doors to the tower to be kept locked when the site is not in use (where applicable) to carry out site checks at the start of each day No ladders are to be left unattended and unsecured, especially out of hours (including contractors) Fire All L VH The entire High Ropes Adventure Course is a strictly no smoking area Cabins to have appropriate fire fighting equipment Site Managers to ensure high levels of housekeeping on site. i.e. potential ignition sources kept in good order, e.g. generators will be trained on the correct procedures, should they discover a fire Formatted Table Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 4 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

5 SITE SPECIFIC RISK ASSESSMENT (Site Specific Assessment should be read in conjunction with the relevant Generic Assessment) Other Unauthorised access Wind/Adverse weather WILLEN LAKE, MILTON KEYNES All H VH Site secured by an 8ft security fence and lockable gate around the entire site and staff M L Due to the height of the PF 30, activities will cease when wind speed exceeds permissible POWERFAN operating limits or earlier if managers consider weather not appropriate. i.e hale storm/ icy staples Due to the height of the PF30 a lightning conductor must be in place and maintained. PF 30 Injury on landing Fall whilst ascending staples (detaching rodeo stop) and staff and staff and staff L VH All participants to be immediately attached by an instructor to a short retaining lanyard when arriving at the top launch platform. No more than 8 participants on the platform at the top to descend in a sensible order (i.e. closest to the powerfan first) where possible. M M Due to the height of the PF 30 staff are to have good communications via radio, between the top and bottom and ensure landing zone is clear before allowing next participants to jump. to be briefed on how to land before stepping off platform. Helmets to be worn for this activity Powerfan pole to have protective padding at the bottom to soften any collision with structure M VH Only 1 participants to climb at any one time to brief participants never to touch the rodeo stops attachment point. to brief participant about how to ascend safely. are to be vigilant for participants suffering from fatigue whilst ascending, and advise participants to rest, or perform a rescue as a last resort. One rodeo stop to remain free for use in an rescue by instructors Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 5 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

6 structure (zip wire) another participant (zip wire) a pedestrian or vehicle (zip wire) Fall from platform (zip wire) Crushing by raising & lowering elements Fall from ladder (start points) Other Unauthorised access Struck by falling object (hauling zip trolleys) THE TRENTHAM ESTATE, STAFFORDSHIRE & L VH AE must have a secondary stopping device at the start of the Zip Wire may not send a participant down until an all clear has been received Participant L VH AE Zip Wire must be manned by 2 trained at all time, one at the start and one at the finish Only one participant may be on the Zip Wire at any time at the start of the Zip Wire may not send a participant down until an all clear has been received The waiting participant must not be unclipped from the safety line until at the finish has signalled the all clear & L VH Warning signs must be posted on both sides of the footpath to ensure that pedestrians and vehicles are aware of the danger When in use, at the finish must stop pedestrians or vehicles whilst a participant is using the Zip Wire at the finish must not give the all clear until the path is clear or he/she can control the flow of people or vehicles All L VH must attach the participant onto the safety line(s) prior to unclipping them from the CBS & L M No one should stand directly underneath any element that is being raised or lowered, until they are secured should always raise and lower elements from ground level (i.e. not from a ladder) The raising tackle should be removed each night (or locked if unable to remove) L L are not allowed on the start point ladders are to secure themselves with a lanyard to a recognised anchor once in position, prior to clipping participants on All H VH The start and finish points must be raised of the ground and secured with no trailing ropes/chains The raising tackle should be removed each night (or locked if unable to remove) All H VH The area under the zip platform must be fenced off to the public hauling trolleys must ensure that there is no one underneath whilst hauling Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 6 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

7 KNOWSLEY SAFARI PARK, MERSEYSIDE Terrain Slips & trips (stairs to Junior Course) structure (cargo nets) Equipment (SSB unit not correctly locked) Puncture wound to eye (from Keeloc ring pin) Struck by returning lanyard structure (Tarzan Swing) (participant joins other than start point) All M M to brief participants about using the handrail on the metal stairs, especially in cold and wet conditions & L M are to ensure that the cargo nets on the zips are as slack as possible in order to soften the impact. BEDALE, NORTH YORKSHIRE All M VH must have passed the induction training course to clip participants on at the start point, checking SSB karabiner is locked correctly to get training on the ground on correct use of the SSB not have access to any Keelocs Participant and H H SSB karabiner to be attached to harness via a maillon or karabiner, no longer than 10cm long All H L to brief participants about hazard prior to accessing course to monitor the speed on returning trolleys and adjust accordingly Participant H H AE to erect a structure that ensures participants jump from the safest point and All H VH to have at all potential start points of the course All start points need a sign warning participants to wait for an instructor need to be briefed about the start points prior to commencing the course Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 7 of 8 last updated 6/11/13

8 another participant (zip wire) ground (zip wire landings) Participant collision with a pedestrian on the zip wire Unauthorised access THE TRAFFORD CENTRE, MANCHESTER Participant M H are to brief the participants about when it is safe to jump during the safety brief and There must be clear safety markers in the zip landing zone that are visible from the zip platform to allow participants to identify when it is safe to go down the zip wire (especially ground walkers) are to be vigilant, especially in busy periods, ensuring participants wait until it is safe to jump Participant M H All participants told in the safety brief to land backwards on zips where possible and Landing areas to be checked daily for suitable depth of woodchip and potential foreign bodies Bottle junctions must be marked to check that there has been no travel over time, and checked daily. In addition only the SM is permitted to adjust the bottle junctions and only after approval from the Ops Manager All L H There must be warning signs to inform pedestrian s about the hazards when crossing the path of the zip wire There must be fencing either side of the zip landing zones to stop spectators or pedestrians straying into that area are to be vigilant and keep the zip landing zones clear from pedestrians All L M Trafford Centre security will conduct routine security checks in and around the area of the course Tower door will be locked and secured at night Shuttle running off the end of the belay cable at powerfan platform Participant and ICESHEFFIELD, SHEFFIELD L VH There will always be an instructor to meet customers approaching the final powerfan platform The sign informing customers to wait for an instructor must always be clipped across the element if there is no instructor present. The safety karabiner must always be attached the belay cable to prevent a customer accidently disconnecting themselves when an instructor isn t present. Aerial Extreme High Ropes Adventure Course (Course Operation) Assessments Page 8 of 8 last updated 6/11/13