Challenge Course Safety
Risk is an important and integral component associated with challenge courses, climbing walls and zip lines; these activities can provide a safe and experiential laboratory where participants can experience taking risks while learning how they respond in a managed environment. Taking proactive measures through engaged leadership and evaluation is key and will help control these risks and reduce potential participant/staff injury and organizational liability.
According to a 2015 study from the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, researchers found that the number of high ropes and zipline injuries in the United States increased from a few hundred per year in the late 1990s to more than 3,600 in 2012. The study noted that falls account for the majority of high ropes and zipline injuries and fatalities, with the leading cause due to human error and equipment failure. By prioritizing key operational areas and following industry accepted standards and guidelines around course building/design, inspection and maintenance of physical elements, thorough training and verification of staff skills and safety checks of equipment will help you and your organization ensure control of associated risk exposures so that participants may feel safe taking their own.
Does your camp have a challenge course, climbing wall or zip line? Or perhaps you are interested in adding challenge course activities to your existing program offerings? Take the first steps today by reviewing the resources below to better understand the risks associated with this exciting and rewarding program area.
- ANSI/ACCT Challenge Course and Canopy/Zip Line Tours Standards v. 2019 – Association of Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)
- ANSI/PRCA 1.0-.3-2014 American National Safety Standards – Professional Ropes Course Association
- OSHA Standard 1910.140 – Personal Fall Protection Systems – U.S. Department of Labor; OSHA
Once you understand the basics, it's time to start taking concrete actions to prepare. Use the tools below to better prepare your people and organization around challenge course safety:
- Sample Challenge Elements/Equipment Daily Inspection Checklist (link to final resource)
- Sample Climbing Ropes Log
- Sample “Near Miss” Reporting Form
- ACCT: Criteria for Selecting a Professional Recognized Vendor for Course Building/Inspection/Training
- American Camp Association:Standards-At-A-Glance
Additional Resources
Browse the following additional resources and related links to learn more about important topics and issues related to challenge course safety:
- American Mountain Guide Association
- Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT)
- Climbing Wall Association
- Professional Ropes Course Association
- Project Adventure
- Association of Experiential Education (AEE)
Related Articles & Links
- American Camp Association: Challenge Course and Zip Line Safety
- American Camp Association: Research: Sudden Unexpected Death on Challenge (Ropes) Courses
- Church Mutual: Playground Safety and Maintenance
- Christian Camp and Conference Association: Managing Challenge Course Risks So Campers Can Take Their Own (Link to InSite article when published in March/April issue)
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Public Playground Safety Handbook
