Agreement between Kilnworx Climbing Centre CIC and its users, the Kilnworx Climbing Centre reserves the rights to change these terms at any time.
- Risks
“The participant recognises that climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.” Although the climbing centre is an artificial environment, the risks involved are no less serious than when climbing outside on a crag or mountain. For this reason, the same level of care and attention should be exercised. There is an additional risk that bolt-on holds can spin or break. Climbing beyond your capabilities on any wall is likely to result in a fall. Any fall may result in an injury despite the safety systems in place to avoid it. Users must make their own assessment of the risks and be prepared and safe whenever they climb.
- Our Duty of Care
The rules of the climbing centre set out within this document are not intended to limit the enjoyment of the facilities. We, as operators, owe to the customer, by law a duty of care. As such, the rules are not negotiable and if users are not prepared to abide by them then the staff will politely ask the user to leave. Although climbing may be classed as unsupervised, there will always be staff on hand to check for good practice and to advise users.
- Your Duty of Care (as users and participants)
Users and participants also have a duty of care to act responsibly and courteously towards other facility users. Statements of ‘Good Practice’ are posted around the centre, where appropriate, and are contained within the Acceptable Techniques Policy. These describe the accepted methods of use and how customers would normally be expected to behave towards each other. Some points are below as an example.
Beware of others climbers, particularly when placing feet, of other climbers, especially on routes that traverse.
Please be aware of sandbags and potential trip hazards. Don’t run around the centre!
Please dispose of your rubbish in bins provided. Do not take open drinks with you onto the climbing wall.
Kilnworx can not accept responsibilities for any items stolen or damaged, Items left behind will be disposed within 1 week of being left, unless claimed.
- Unsupervised Climbing
Before climbing without supervision the centre expects users to be competent in the use of a safety harness, a figure of eight knot to attach a rope to the harnesses and a belay device to lower a climber from the wall and secure a climber using a rope. Unsupervised users are required to self-declare during registration that they are competent in the use of relevant techniques and equipment and that they are prepared to abide by the conditions of use and rules set out within this document. Users are also required to declare that they understand the risks involved in participation.
Users aged sixteen years and above may register for unsupervised climbing without parental / guardian consent. Any users not registered for unsupervised climbing are classed as inexperienced and must not climb without supervision.
Unsupervised climbing is just that! Staff will provide whatever help and advice they can, but instruction in the use of equipment or climbing techniques will only be provided where it has been booked and paid for in advance. If participants are not confident in the use of any equipment or technique then they must not attempt to use it without the supervision of someone who is competent to do so.
- Supervised Climbing
A supervising adult (aged eighteen and above) who is registered for unsupervised use of the facilities may supervise up to two novice climbers as long as they are prepared to take full responsibility for the safety of those users and have the appropriate permission to act in loco parentis for children under the age of sixteen years. Teaching belaying cannot be done in pairs, three climbers are required.
Supervision of Groups for Climbing
Groups of three or more novice climbers must be supervised by an instructor holding the relevant Mountain Leader Training UK qualifications, awards, and insurance (minimum £5 million public liability) with a valid first aid certificate. The original copies should be presented, and photocopies will be held on file at the centre. Supervising instructors must agree to supervise directly and ensure that the dead end of the rope is held at all times.
The maximum external instructor to novice climber ratios are:
In-house assessed: 1:8
Climbing Wall Award (CWI) – 1:8
Single Pitch Award (RCI) – 1:8
Mountaineering Instructor Award and Certificate – 1:8
One additional unqualified but competent instructor who has not been in-house assessed at Kilnworx, but is registered for unsupervised use of the facilities can supervise to the ratio of 1:6 under the full responsibility of a qualified instructor who is willing to sign to say that they will take responsibility for the supervision of that instructor. In-house assessment does not count in this.
All instructors must be registered at the centre for unsupervised use of the facilities (with either a day or lifetime membership) and must be at least eighteen years of age. As with all supervision, the supervising instructors must be prepared to take full responsibility for the safety of those people.
- Under 16’s
At the discretion of Kilnworx staff, any user of any age may be refused entry or use of the facilities on grounds such as (but not exclusive to) maturity if they feel that the user will present too greater of a hazard to themselves or others, or that the activity will not be healthy.
Ages 1 to 15 Inclusive Supervised
The minimum age for users of the climbing facilities is one year of age. All juniors MUST always be supervised by a competent adult of at least eighteen years of age, unless registered for unsupervised climbing (thirteen to fifteen years of age only). The supervising adult must be registered for unsupervised use of the facilities.
Kilnworx staff will normally supervise users aged six years or above, but a junior’s capability to safely undertake an activity will be at the discretion of Kilnworx staff. Juniors under sixteen years of age must have a parent or guardian present to act in loco parentis, and to take full responsibility for the juniors’ pastoral and behavioural care.
Ages 13 to 15 Inclusive Unsupervised
Experienced and competent users aged between fourteen and fifteen years of age inclusive may climb unsupervised only if their legal parent or guardian gives consent for them to climb unsupervised and the junior user has been assessed by Kilnworx staff as being competent to climb unsupervised. There is no fee for this assessment.
No user under the age of eighteen can supervise novice climbers unless employed by Kilnworx and specifically assessed in their competence.
- Bottom Roping Climbs
Some of the climbs within the centre have ropes already in place, these can be used for bottom roping. At times, staff may attach a quickdraw to routes to prevent excessive swinging, please unclip the runner before climbing past, and re-clip the runner when being lowered ready for the next user.
Always exercise good and correct techniques inline with the Acceptable Techniques Policy.
- Leading Climbs
When using the lead walls you must supply your own appropriately rated, maintained and serviceable dynamic rope of no less than thirty meters in length, unless on a learning to lead course. Running belay attachments (runners) are already provided at intervals on some lead walls and can be used. Personal or hired quickdraws can be used to lead walls containing bolt fixtures.
Some of the climbs within the centre have ropes already in place, they can be removed to lead routes (using personal or hired quickdraws) but they must be replaced after use. Do not swap ropes to different climbs, and USERS MUST NOT LEAD CLIMBS USING KILNWORX ROPES, unless on a learning to lead course.
You must clip all the runners on the route you are climbing. Please spot climbers where appropriate before the first runner has been clipped.
Sport climbing only done once authorised by Jin. (Only to climb with number of quickdraws needed for route, helmets are available on request).
Always exercise good and correct techniques inline with the Acceptable Techniques Policy.
BEWARE OF SWINGING & COLLIDING WITH OTHER CLIMBERS IF YOU TAKE LEAD FALL ON TRAVERSE STYLE CLIMBS
- Lead and Bottom Rope Belaying
- Always exercise good and correct techniques inline with the Acceptable Techniques Policy.
- Always use a belay device correctly attached to the safety harness using a locking karabiner.
- ‘Traditional’ or ‘body’ belaying is not acceptable.
- Weighted bags are provided to give additional support to people belaying a climber who is heavier than themselves. Direct belays from weighted bags are strictly not acceptable.
- Always pay attention to what climbers are doing, and advise partners or other users of any hazards if appropriate.
- Always stand as close to the wall as is practical.
- Sitting or lying down is not acceptable.
- Traverse Walls
Harnesses should be removed when traversing at ground level without a rope. Care and consideration for other users should be exercised. The softer flooring under some walls is designed to provide a more comfortable landing for climbers. Do not jump from the wall. The soft flooring does not make the climbing any safer. Broken and sprained limbs are common on this type of climbing wall despite the soft landing. Uncontrolled falls are likely to result in injuries to yourself or others. Beware of users crossing through the doorway.
- Bouldering
Bouldering is a particular dangerous sport. Please exercise due care and attention. As with Top Rope & Lead don’t climbing beyond your capabilities as this can result in serious injury. ALWAYS DOWN CLIMB, DON’T JUMP DOWN. Please make sure you don’t climb across or under other climbers. Please don’t walk underneath where people are Bouldering. Spot Boulder where appropriate.
Remove harness and chalk belts when bouldering.
- Abseil Stations
This facility must be booked and specific permission given by Kilnworx staff before it can be used. As a participant, users must follow instructions given by Kilnworx staff or the group instructor(s).
- Rules for Supervisors
Abseil stations may only be used by authorised persons, namely Kilnworx staff, and approved instructors who have pre-booked the exclusive use of the abseil station(s). There must be at least one in-house assessed or qualified instructor (Mountain Leader Training UK’s: Climbing Wall Award with additional combined abseil module, Single Pitch Award, or Mountaineering Instructor Award or Certificate) operating each abseil from the top.
One additional supervisor will be required to attach participants at the bottom of climbs. This supervisor should be competent (as deemed by the in-house assessed or qualified instructor) in their role at the bottom of the abseil, and the in-house assessed or qualified instructor must take full responsibility for the supervision of that instructor.
Instructor to Participant ratios are flexible providing behaviour and conduct is not affected.
Equipment
Equipment will be provided by Kilnworx and users will be expected to use the equipment appropriately and inline with the Acceptable Techniques Policy. Users should also report faults or issues to Kilnworx staff.
Accessible Wall
At present, the Abseil Stations at Route one and two are not to be used for wheelchair accessible climbing where additional equipment and techniques are required.
- Slackline
Use of slackline is at your own risk. This risk of turning your ankles and or slipping is very high.
Please only attempt to use the slackline if you are able to dismount without endangering yourself or others.
- Beastmaker/Hangboard
Only use Beastmaker if you are familiar with this training devise. This device is used at your own risk.
- Autobelays
No helmets to be used on autobelays due to risk of straps being caught.
- CCTV & Use of Images
Kilnworx uses motion recording equipment, which can be used for surveillance and may be used as evidence.
WE also use recording equipment and photography for training and promotional use. By signing the Facility user sheet you are giving your consent for rights to your images to be used in this manner.
Please advice staff if you are unhappy for your image to be used in this manner.
DO NOT FILM OR PHOTOGRAPH OTHER USERS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
- OUTDOOR CLIMBING
Outdoor climbing sessions run by Kilnworx are not designed for the individual’s to be assessed or deemed competent to climb either on their own or with external group.
- Other General Rules
Users must abide by the following supplementary rules:
- Report to reception on each visit before using the facilities.
- Exercise care, common sense and self preservation at all times.
- Report any problems with the facilities, equipment, or other climbers’ behaviour to a member of staff as soon as practically possible.
- Be aware of other users and how actions may affect them.
- Do not distract people while they are climbing or belaying.
- Stand well back from the climbing walls unless you are belaying or spotting a climber. Avoid standing directly under someone who is climbing and within drop zones.
- Climbing without a rope is only acceptable on the Traverse wall & Boulder Wall.
- Tie-in rather than clip in when climbing. There are only two exceptions to this, firstly, either when authorised to do so by Kilnworx staff, or when an approved qualified or in-house assessed instructor chooses to use karabiners for ease of use when working with groups of three or more. Secondly, when or running abseil sessions (for approved instructors only).
- The use of liquid chalk is not acceptable, powder, balls and blocks of chalk can be used.
- Follow the instructions of signs posted around the centre, and instructions of staff.
- Follow the Acceptable Techniques Policy.
- It is at the discretion of Kilnworx staff how they choose to deal with incorrect technique, or techniques that are not outlined within the Acceptable Techniques Policy. It is also discretionary whether variations are acceptable. Staff may, for example (but not exclusively), give brief or informal instruction to correct minor issues, advise a training course such as a refresher, or ask a user to leave the facility.
- Only Kilnworx staff or those specifically given permission to do so will be allowed to ascend ropes.
- Please use any equipment as it is intended to be used.
- Hired equipment must be returned before leaving the building.
- Abseil facilities are not to be used by unless under instruction from Kilnworx staff, or when express permission is given to do so as detailed in Section 11 of this document.
- Certain areas are off limits to the public for their safety. For example, the upstairs, under the stairs, backrooms. These normally have NO ENTRY SIGN, alternatively we may place cone and/or rope barrier if we are carrying out maintenance. Please observe these restrictions for your own safety.
- Medical Declarations
All users and participants within the facility must disclose any necessary and appropriate medical information that staff may need to know about to ensure safe enjoyment for all users of the facility, and to reduce the chance of worsening any conditions. Medical information will also be used in the event of an emergency.
It is the users’ responsibility to bring medical conditions to the attention of staff, through the use of a Medical Declaration Form, and to keep records appropriately updated.
