Working At Heights Impasse Solved

The good news for anyone in the outdoors and specifically in outdoors instruction is that it seems that the safety regulations governing working at height will not apply to specialist adventure activities such as climbing and caving after all.

Initially it seemed possible that new regulations aimed at tightening up health and safety on building sites would also have repercussions for outdoor instructors, with restrictions on rope systems and theoretically a need for warning signs at crags - see previous articles below. However, following lobbying by representatives of some 40 organisations in the outdoor adventure sector, it seems that the regulations won't be applied to outdoor sports, which instead will be governed by sector-specific Temporary Working at Heights Directive regulations.

It's a victory for common sense and a relief to the outdoors industry generally. John Cousins, Executive Director of Mountain Leader Training UK said "We set out to ensure that adventure activity providers could continue their activities unhindered and believe that the proposal to except us from specific elements of the Regulations is an excellent outcome.

"We are grateful to everyone who has made their views known and for the support of the media and politicians, especially Alistair Burt and Jane Kennedy. We can return to the business of developing good practice and enjoying our sports."