Member Area Resources - Ropes Courses
2018 SAFETY ALERT: High Ropes Adventure Courses (QLD)

WorkCover QLD has released a safety alert following an incident on a ropes course in Queensland in May 2018. Read below for further information.

“Purpose
The purpose of this alert is to highlight the risk of strangulation when participating in high ropes adventure courses.
In May 2018, a participant on a high ropes adventure course was strangled in a non-fatal incident when two lanyards (cows-tails) attached to a sit harness and overhead line became taut on either side of the participant’s neck.

In 2015, a similar non-fatal incident occurred at another Queensland high ropes course.

Background
A participant and instructor supervising were moving through elements of a high ropes adventure course. The participant was wearing a sit harness with a D-ring on the front of that harness. Attached to that D-ring were two lanyards of the same length. These secured the participant to the safety line above the obstacle through two independent karabiners (climbing clips). These two points of contact were maintained throughout each section of the course.

The use of adventure ropes courses with high and low elements provides opportunities to experience personal or team based challenges and includes inherent risk. To participate in a high ropes course requires the use of specific equipment, along with processes that require direct supervision from qualified instructors and additional support from ‘spotters’ (Note: spotters must be appropriately briefed adults). The use of direct supervision and spotters allows for immediate action to be taken should a participant require assistance or rescue while navigating a course…”

Read the Full Alert here or download a PDF version below.