RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE MANCHESTER CLIMBING CENTRE

Date last updated: 11/11/2005

Risk Assessment Process: Probability of Occurrence x Potential Severity of Hazard

Likelihood of Occurrence:
LOW Highly unlikely to occur ever

MEDIUM Could occur rarely

HIGH Likely to occur often

Potential Severity of Hazard:
LOW Slightly Inconvenient

MEDIUM Minor Injury Requiring First Aid

HIGH Major injury leading to hospitalisation, possible fatality

This risk assessment gives the basic framework of precautions. Full details of all precautions are recorded in either the Standard Operating Procedures File, or the Safety Checks File.

HAZARD Something with a potential to do harm

RISK - The likelihood that harm from a particular hazard will be realised

Contents of this Document:

1.1 General Risk Assessment

1.2 Transport for All External Activities Risk Assessment

1.3 Outdoor Course and Off Site Courses Risk Assessment

2.1 Route Setting Guidelines

2.2 Example of Outdoor Course Structure for Instructors

Health and Safety at work Act 1974

General Duties:

Section 2 i) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all his employees

Section 3 - i) It shall be the duty of every employer to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure , so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons not in his employment may be affected and thereby are not exposed to risk to their health and safety.

ii) It shall be the duty of every self employed person to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure , so far as is reasonably practicable that he and other persons (not being his employees) who may be affected are not thereby exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Section 7 - It shall be the duty of every employee while at work

a) to take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself and other persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work and

b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer or any other person by or under any of the relevant statutory provisions, to cooperate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.

1.1 General Risk Assessment:

Hazard	Who is at risk	Probability of Occurrence	Potential Severity of hazard	Precautions	Action
Climber falling before having clipped second bolt on lead walls.	Climber Belayer	Medium	Low	Sensible setting of routes. Quickdraws already in place. Matting on floor at start of routes.	Manager Route setters
Loose / cracked holds	Climber	Medium	Low	Ongoing maintenance of holds by centre staff. Holds removed / tightened as soon as they become damaged / loose.	Centre staff Customer feedback
Rope retrieval	Climber belayer	High	Low	New clients are inducted into centre policy regarding rope retrieval. Posters are displayed to remind clients to pull rope back through quick draws.	Manager Centre Staff
Failure of lower-offs / quickdraws	Climber Belayer	Low	High	Regular equipment checks in accordance with centre policy. Hardwear replaced when worn.	Centre staff
Failure of Centres ropes	Climber Belayer	Low	High	Ropes maintained and checked in accordance with centre policy.	Centre staff
Failure of customers' equipment.	Climber Belayer	Low	High	New customer's gear to be checked by centre staff. On going vigilance by centre staff.	Centre staff
Climbers falling to ground when Bouldering Lead climbing Top roping	Climber Belayer	a. Medium b. Low c. Low	a. Low b. High c. High	a. Children to be supervised by a competent adult or have passed Junior Membership test. Crash mats permanently in place. Signs warn clients not to sit on crash mats unless bouldering. b. Clients have read conditions of use and have signed to say they are competent at belaying, tying on and fitting a sit harness. Novices are supervised by a competent adult. c. as above Centre provides courses for novices. Staff are vigilant. Posters display correct methods of belaying, tying on and fitting a sit harness	Centre staff Client's own responsibility.
Muscle strains	Climber Staff	Medium	Medium	Clients are encouraged to warm up before attempting strenuous climbs. Poster displayed outlining possible warm up techniques.	Centre Staff Client's own responsibility
Trips and slips around building	Staff Clients	High	Medium	Stair areas to be kept clear at all times. Clients' belongings to be stored in lockers provided. Cleaning to be done at low times and warning signs to be displayed when floors are wet.	Centre Staff
Fire	Staff Clients	Low	High	No smoking inside the building. Daily checks on Fire extinguishers, break glass points and illuminated fire exit signs. Staff trained in evacuation procedures.	Centre Staff
Items falling from above when climbing.	Belayer	Medium	High	Centre policy insists that clients empty pockets and take all gear off harness before climbing. Lockers available for the safe storage of clients' belongings.	Centre staff Clients own responsibility.
Items falling form above when route setting	Belayer	Medium	High	Route setters should follow Manchester Climbing Centre's policies. Area should be cordoned off	Route setters
Risk of falling, injury from sharp edges from working behind wall.	Staff	Low	Medium	All maintenance work to be done by Operations Coordinator	Manager
Injuries caused by power tools	Staff Customer	Low	High	All maintenance work to be done by Operations Coordinator. Power tools to be stored in a secure cupboard.	Manager
Cleaning i) Slip Hazard on Floor ii) Use of chemicals- causing illness	Staff Customer Staff	Low Medium	Medium High	'Wet Floor' signs in place, cleaning done out of open hours where possible All staff read COSHH for chemicals, wear gloves provided, wash hands after cleaning, store cupboard locked.	Centre Staff Centre Staff Manager

1.2 RISK ASSESSMENT:TRANSPORT FOR ANY ACTIVITY THAT TAKES PLACE OUTSIDE THE CENTRE

Hazard	Who is at risk	Probability of Occurrence	Potential Severity of hazard	Precautions	Action
Injury From Accident	Staff Client	LOW	HIGH	Seatbelts Fitted Regular documented vehicle checks. Driver qualified to drive vehicle. Knowledge of local roads. Speed Control. First Aid kit carried.	Driver Manager
TRAFFIC HAZARD: Entering and leaving the vehicle	Staff Client	LOW	HIGH	Sensible parking. Group supervision and control.	Driver
TRAFFIC HAZARD: When Crossing and following roads.	Staff Client	LOW	HIGH	Group sizes kept small. Group briefing prior to crossing or following roads. No more than two abreast on roads. Group into one side on the shout of “Car”. Instructor's knowledge of road. Safe crossing and waiting areas.	Instructor
OTHER PEOPLE: Dangers associated with 'Strangers'.	U18 Clients	LOW	MEDIUM	Move away if possible or Phone 999 for Police if needed.	Instructor
INJURY: From Activity/Environment.	Client	LOW	HIGH	Instructors to be aware of risk assessment and to manage it accordingly	Instructor

1.3 RISK ASSESSMENT FOR OUTDOOR COURSES:

Hazard	Who is at risk	Probability of Occurrence	Potential Severity of hazard	Precautions	Action
System Failure:	Client	LOW	HIGH	SPA instructor in charge of session set up. All instructors familiar with site and system used. All instructors visit sites with MIA	Manager Instructor
Fall From Height:	Client	LOW	HIGH	Instructors familiar with belay system and tie in procedure. Belayer supervised at all times.	Manager Instructor
Head Injury: From falling rock or equipment	Client	MEDIUM	MEDIUM	Helmets worn at all times. Briefing on 'Below' call system. No equipment on harnesses, unless leading.	Instructor
Equipment Failure:	Client	LOW	HIGH	Regular documented kit checks.	Manager Members of Staff
Injury: From Crag environment when not climbing.	Client Instructor	MEDIUM	MEDIUM	Safe areas defined. Group control.	Instructor
Fall: Whilst Bouldering.	Client	HIGH	LOW	Group briefing to determine height limit. Spotting procedure. Bouldering mats in place when required. Group control.	Instructor`