This information sets out what High Ropes Adventure & The Health and Safety Commission’s Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AAIAC) considers good practice for the maintenance of ‘ropes courses’. High Ropes Adventure's course is built on structures of poles and incorporates natural features such as trees, and is designed to challenge participants in activities on and above ground level.

To ensure the safe use of the ropes course it is vitally important that High Ropes Adventure, as an activity provider, is aware of their responsibilities to maintain the equipment so that it can be used safely, paying particular attention to issues such as structural integrity and overall condition.  It is also the responsibility of High Ropes Adventure to ensure the equipment is safe to use:

• High Ropes Adventure ensures that the equipment needed to build the ropes course is put together safely following manufacturers’ instructions. We also check the suitability of the location in which the ropes are to be used. We are aware that other factors, such as the weather conditions to which the equipment will be exposed & may have health and safety implications.
   

• As an activity provider, we ensure equipment is properly maintained, fit for it's purpose and in a condition that is safe to use. We have a duty under health and safety legislation to carry out a risk assessment in order to identify any significant hazards and to put steps in place to control the risk of those hazards causing harm. The risk assessment identifies the need to have a suitable maintenance program in place.
   

• Instructors on the course also have a duty to ensure that when using the equipment they do not knowingly use it in ways that will cause damage. They have a responsibility to ensure that if damage occurs or if they notice that maintenance is needed, they report it so that action can be taken to make the equipment safe.

• No. However, health and safety legislation does require equipment to be maintained so that it is safe to use. To do this we have in place a maintenance programme that is appropriate to the equipment being used and the levels of risk, taking into consideration the usage, location and conditions. In addition, the programme identifies who should check what and when, and what happens if something unsatisfactory is discovered.

• For the most part, we visually inspect it. By concentrating on a simple system of looking for visible signs of damage or faults, and putting them right, we are able to prevent accidents or serious damage to the ropes course from occurring. This is done prior to use of the course.

• By looking! This is the most important maintenance precaution.  Inspections which include visual checks are undertaken in a systematic way. Additional checks also include: removing attachments; checking connections to ensure they are secure; checking for evidence of wear and tear (fraying, rotting, chaffing).

Combined inspection and testing – Some faults may not be picked up by visual inspections. It is therefore important that combined inspection and testing is carried out by a person trained to do so at intervals appropriate to the type of equipment, usage, conditions and the risks. In addition to routine testing as part of the planned maintenance program, combined inspection and testing is also carried out if there is reason to suspect the equipment may be faulty, damaged or contaminated. This is especially important where these cannot be confirmed by visual inspection; or after any repair, modification or similar work to the equipment; or when its structural integrity needs to be established.
Visual inspection can detect about 95% of faults or damage. We ensure that regular visual inspections are carried out by competent members of staff.  Such staff have:

Training to detect signs of faults or damage;

Time to carry out the inspections properly;

Familiarity with the equipment so that they can detect changes.

Supervision of ropes courses Information sheet ETIS14 HSE Books 2002

assessment HSE Books 1999 ISBN 0 7176 2463 3

Practice and guidance L22 (Second edition) HSE Books

1998 ISBN 0 7176 1626 6

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