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#1 Posted : 21 August 2009 13:53:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ian Bruce
This is not a Friday afternoon question, honest!

At my place of work, we have a mobile climbing tower that sits on a trailer and is raised for use. Climbers use a harness and carabiner to attach themselves to an auto-belay device that operates on a hydraulic system.

It is classed as an entertainment device and as such is inspected and certified for use annually through an ADIPS inspection.

We are currently examining whether or not we should do more to ensure the safe use of the device (obviously, risk assessment, training, safe systems of use, inspection and supervision are considered and in place). My question is, does the pulley system and mountings that form part of the auto-belay system fall into the requirements of LOLER?

My gut feeling is no, but hopefully someone out there working in the entertainment industry may have a different view.

All comments (well most), will be gratefully received.
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#2 Posted : 21 August 2009 14:18:00(UTC)
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Posted By Dave Merchant
If the belay device is used solely for *industrial* fall arrest then the answer is no, however it's not like that in your case.

Although the belay system receives a dynamic load when the climber falls, it is also used to lower them back to ground, and the nature of the climbing wall means you *expect* that fall and subsequent "lifting operation" to happen on a regular basis - therefore LOLER applies in all its glory, both to the device and the anchor points, pulleys etc the ropes pass through.

Industrial fall arrest is exempt from LOLER strictly because it's a one-time event per item *and* only expected to receive load in a true emergency, not as part of normal function.
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#3 Posted : 21 August 2009 14:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mike Kavanagh
Ian,
Reg 9 applies to evacuation equipment because it is used for lowering people
See attached link (para 21)

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/20-3.htm

Kindest Regards
Mike
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#4 Posted : 21 August 2009 15:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tabs
I don't think it is exempt, as said above - but regardless, logic says that it should be inspected more frequently than annually if injury could occur due to fault.
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#5 Posted : 24 August 2009 11:19:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ian Bruce
Brilliant response - thanks guys, LOLER it is!
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