Sportily Activity Risk Assessment Form

VENUE(S): School, community and church venues across

ACTIVITIES: Mobile Climbing Wall sessions SCOPE: 01/01/2024 – 31/12/2024
the network, including at Tom Roberts Adventure Centre
ASSESSED BY: Chris Priddy DATE OF ASSESSMENT: 09/01/2024 REVIEW DATE: 01/01/2025

ACTIVITY/SESSION LEADER: Sportily trained Climbing Wall Session Leader This risk assessment is supported by Sportily Activity Health and Safety Checklist.
RISK IDENTIFIED INITIAL CONTROLS REQUIRED
PERSONS MANAGED
L S RISK ACTION BY L S RISK
What could go wrong? AT RISK (LxS) e.g. eliminate, reduce, isolate, training, instruction, equipment (LxS)

Injury to climbing participants due to Participants Climbing participants to use Auto-Belay Devices and to not wear helmets when doing so (straps Participants
slipping when arriving back on the floor, can get caught on holds whilst the ABD continues to release the climbing cable.
from bumping against the wall and its holds
whilst ascending, descending or having
4 3 12 When operating on a hard surface, soft landing mats should be considered. 2 2 4
slipped whilst climbing Climbing participants encouraged to ascend slowly and be coaching in thinking about where to
take holds for feet and hands.
Refusal to come down resulting in panic Participants First time climbers asked to climb to the bottom of stage 2, then have a practise descent before Participants
and potential injury or psychological stress being allowed to climb higher. This builds confidence in the ABD operation.
3 2 6 2 1 2
If necessary, Session Leader can climb up an adjoining climbing face to support the climber in
descending successfully.
Injury during set up / take down from Session Sportily Climbing Wall setup and pack down instructions to be followed for all set up’s and pack Session
falling objects or instructor falling from Leader, down’s. All Session Leaders to have received appropriate training to enable the safe setup and Leader and
height Session pack down of the Climbing WallAll Session Leaders and Session Assistants to wear helmets at all Session
Assistant(s), times during setup and any spectators within the coned area during the session. Everyone else to Assistants
other be asked to stand outside of the coned area.
leaders,
All Session Leaders, Session Assistants and Participants encouraged to remove or check the
anyone close
security of items such as keys and mobile phones before climbing.
to the wall 3 4 12 2 4 8
Any ‘gear’ that is passed to/from ground to platform to be tied on and raised / lowered.
Use belay device to raise/lower Auto-belay devices (ABD) & other heavy kit.
Anyone climbing to a height from which injury could result is to be belayed. Anyone working at the
top to be tied or clipped into 2 secure anchors (e.g. a sling to a top anchor and ABD).
Session Leader to be vigilant to the equipment being moved and the people movements within the
vicinity of the Climbing Wall during set up and pack down.
Hand Injury from set up, pack down or Session Work Gloves to be worn during set up & pack down’s. Session
vehicle related (towing) Leader, Leader and
Risks to be covered in Session Leader training session.
Session Session
3 3 9 2 3 6
Assistant(s), No one is to stand near the tow ball whilst the vehicle is reversing. Assistants
drivers
(towing)
Team exposed to direct sunlight or hot Session Team to take appropriate shade (e.g. gazebo, cool drinks, and to wear a hat or helmet at all times Session
conditions for long periods during sessions Leader, as required). Leader,
3 3 9 1 3 3
Session Session
Regular breaks to be taken and rotation of staff to utilise shade generated by tower.
Assistant(s), Assistant(s),
Monotony of same task and long hours Session Team to switch roles within the group – e.g. booking in and harnessing up / managing the climbers Session
without a break resulting in loss of Leader, on the wall, supervising different wall section. Leader,
concentration and safety tasks not being Session 2 3 9 Session 1 3 3
Appropriate breaks are essential. If a minimum team of 3 is working the wall on a long booking,
completed as required throughout the Assistant(s), Assistant(s),
the team will need to stop climbing for 15 minutes break mid-morning and afternoon and 45
session
minute lunch break. If a short booking (2 hours), a 20 minute break should be included.
Risk of serious injury to other road users or Driver, other The Climbing Wall is a heavy towable item weighting 2,000kg, were it to become detached from Driver, other
pedestrians when towing the Climbing Wall staff, general the vehicle during towing, or if it were driven without due care and attention, it could cause serious staff, general
public injury to people and damage to property. public
Drivers are responsible for ensuring that the Climbing Wall is securely connected to the towing
vehicle. The emergency brake cable must be attached to the tow bar correctly.
The Mobile Climbing Wall should only be towed by those with towing experience, in accordance
2 5 10 with the Sportily Health and Safety Policy. 1 4 4
Drivers must check their vehicle’s capability to tow the unit given its 2,000 kg weight.
Drivers must drive with extra care and attention giving additional space to other road users and
allowing significant additional braking distance.
Drivers must not have consumed any alcohol (including 0.05% products) before towing the
Climbing Wall.