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Three Reasons to get Your Climbing Wall Inspected

Posted: Friday March 17, 2023

The safety of climbing walls in the UK is of utmost importance, but, while there is no legal requirement for annual independent safety inspections of climbing walls in the UK, it is recommended as best practice.

EN 12572:2017 is a European standard that specifies safety requirements and test methods for artificial climbing structures.  While EN 12572:2017 is not a British Standard, it has been adopted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) as a recognized industry standard for artificial climbing structures in the UK.  Compliance with EN 12572:2017 is not legally required, however, climbing wall operators in the UK have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their customers.

So, here are our three top reasons why you should get your climbing wall independently inspected on an annual basis.

Number One - Safety

Safety is the most important reason to get your climbing wall inspected annually.  Regular inspections can identify potential hazards such as loose or worn bolts and equipment, damaged holds, hazards on the climbing surface with the potential for causing injury or structural issues that could lead to accidents.  A thorough inspection can help ensure that the climbing wall is in good condition and safe for climbers to use.  An independent inspector can provide an objective assessment of the safety of the climbing wall and identify any potential hazards or issues that need to be addressed.

Number Two - Liability

If you own a climbing wall and someone is injured while using it, you could be held liable.  Failure to provide a safe environment may put you in breach of Health and Safety regulations and could result in legal liability if an accident or injury occurs.  Regular inspections can help identify potential safety issues, allowing you to address them before they cause harm.  Additionally, if you can show that you have been taking steps to maintain the safety of your climbing wall through regular inspections, it may help reduce your liability in the event of an accident.

Number Three - Maintenance

Regular inspections can also help identify areas of the climbing wall that require maintenance.  By catching maintenance issues early on, you can address them before they become more serious and costly to fix.  Inspections can also help extend the life of the climbing wall, ensuring that it remains in good condition for years to come.

Summary

While compliance with EN 12572:2017 is not a legal requirement in the UK, climbing wall operators have a duty of care to ensure the safety of their customers and employees and are required to comply with health and safety regulations. Getting your wall independently inspected on an annual basis helps you keep it safe, reduce your liability if things go wrong, helps identify areas requiring maintenance and keeps you compliant with current regulations and best practice.  So, overall, we think getting an independent inspector to carry out an annual inspection on your wall is a great idea.

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