Mid-Year Climbing Safety Standards Updates

A mid-year update was made to the helmet requirement for some Climbing safety standards. Consult Mid-Year Climbing Safety Standards Updates for more information.

Mid-Year Climbing Safety Standards Updates

Legend:     
E_C = Elementary Curricular     
E_IM = Elementary Intramural     
S_C = Secondary Curricular     
S_IM = Secondary Intramural

E_C, E_IM, S_C, S_IM - Climbing (Aerial Parks), Climbing (Challenge Courses/Towers - High Elements)

Equipment

Previous safety standard:

  • Helmets that are commercially and specifically manufactured for climbing must be properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn by all students who are leaving the ground or are under any activity in use.

Updated to:

  • Helmets:
    • The wearing of a helmet (or not) must be professionally determined based on the existing hazards in the facility (for example, toe/hand holds, features) and/or the operating system (for example, auto-belay).
    • Facilities must provide helmets when their use is not hazardous or when they are required by the school/board, or parents/guardians.
    • When appropriate, helmets that are commercially and specifically manufactured for climbing must be properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn.

E_C, E_IM, S_C, S_IM - Climbing (Ascending Lines)

Equipment

Previous safety standard:

  • Helmets that are commercially and specifically manufactured for climbing, must be properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn by all students who are leaving the ground.

Updated to:

  • Helmets:
    • The wearing of a helmet (or not) must be professionally determined based on the existing hazards in the facility (for example, toe/hand holds, features) and/or the operating system (for example, auto-belay).
    • Facilities must provide helmets when their use is not hazardous or when they are required by the school/board, or parents/guardians.
    • When appropriate, helmets that are commercially and specifically manufactured for climbing must be properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn.

Rational

To minimize the inherent element of risk, the helmet safety standard in the Equipment section was updated to provide flexibility in requiring the use of helmets.