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Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is consulting with industry operators to prepare a safety alert following a recent incident on a challenge ropes course.

The draft alert provides information following an incident on a high ropes adventure course in which two ‘cowstails’ attached to a sit harness and overhead line became wrapped around a participants neck causing strangulation.

As explained by a Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WorkSafe Queensland) notice “a participant was moving through elements of a high ropes adventure course with an instructor.

“The participant was wearing a sit harness with a D-ring on the front of that harness. Attached to that D-ring were two cowstails of the same length. These secured the participant to the safety line above the obstacle through two independent Karabiners.

“These two points of contact were maintained throughout each section of the course.

“The participant fell from the element and their head slipped forwards between the two cowstails. The participant was unable to free himself and the participant’s weight caused the two cowstails to become taut on either side of their neck, applying pressure and causing strangulation.”

The advice explains that “the use of adventure ropes courses with high and low elements provides opportunities to experience personal or team based challenge 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’.

“The use of direct supervision and spotters allows for immediate action to be taken should a participant require assistance or rescue whilst traversing a course.

“On this occasion, the use of twin cowstails of equal length contributed to the strangulation of a participant on a high ropes course. The supervising instructor became aware that the participant was unable to pull themselves back onto the course element and effected a rescue using a belay system.”

Action required

• Review safety harness arrangement to minimise risks of strangling or other hazards 
• Review supervision ratio to ensure patrons are adequately monitored while they are on the rope course
• Review and practice emergency procedures for the rope course to ensure that supervisors can get to and assist patrons in a timely manner when they are in trouble

Interested parties are asked to reference the Queensland Adventure Activity Standards (May 2014)

As part of its consultation process, WHSQ wishes to advise industry of the incident and seek comment on the draft. 

For more information go to www.worksafe.qld.gov.au/online-services

Image shows two sets of cows tails attached to a single D-ring. Courtesy of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.

Article amended 2nd July 2018.

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