National Caving Association
Anchor Replacement Programme
1. Objectives
1.1 To place anchors in all frequently used caves where they are necessary
to ensure the safe ascent and descent of vertical and exposed sections.
1.2 To maintain anchors and replace them as necessary for the foreseeable
future.
1.3 To provide the persons responsible for placing the anchors with adequate
liability insurance to cover them against legal costs and liability in the
event of a claim.
1.4 To document the programme adequately, using industry standards as a
guide to what is necessary.
1.5 Conservation of the natural cave environment should be borne in mind
in the placing of all anchors, both from the point of view of the damage
done to the cave by placing the anchors and from that in any increase in
traffic as a result an anchor being present.
2. Selection of the anchor system
2.1 The decision as to the correct type of anchor system should be taken
only after consultation with all interested parties.
2.2 Consideration of suitable anchor systems should be an ongoing process,
taking into account both developments in the anchor systems available and
the knowledge gained in the use of anchors to date.
2.3 The process for selecting anchor systems for general use and for use
at specific sites should be documented adequately: documentation should
include copies of correspondence, minutes of meetings and notes of conversations
relevant to the selection of the anchor system, results of any tests done
on old and new anchors, full specifications for all anchor types considered
and reasons for acceptance or rejection.
3. Installation
3.1 No installation should be carried out at any site without the prior
agreement of the relevant regional body's committee.
3.2 Installation should only be undertaken by people trained for the purpose
by a scheme approved by the Association's National Council.
3.3 The training scheme shall include provision of adequate training notes
and these must accurately reflect the practice used to place the anchor.
3.4 A record of who has been trained to place the anchors and where they
were trained shall be kept.
3.5 Selection of the site for placing the anchors should only be made by
people competent to do so. Since training to this level is beyond the scope
of the training course sufficient caving experience is a pre-requisite for
enrolment on a training course.
3.6 The decision as to where to place the anchors should only be made by
agreement between at least two competent riggers, one of whom shall be a
trained installer.
3.7 Records of the installation shall be kept: These will include the name
of the installer, the details of the components used and accurate means
of reliably locating any particular anchor.
4. Testing
4.1 Proof testing of anchors before they are put into use is impractical.
Proof testing is to be included as part of the maintenance procedure.
4.2 Proof testing should not materially affect the strength of the anchor
system, should be simple and safe to perform and must be properly documented.
4.3 Ultimate load tests (i.e. to failure point) should be an integral part
of the anchor system selection process. Records of the tests should be kept.
4.4 Equipment used for testing must be calibrated and records of the calibrations
must be kept.
5. Maintenance
5.1 All anchor points must be inspected, tested and maintained or replaced
on a regular basis to ensure they are safe.
5.2 Records of these activities must be kept up to date.
6. Insurance
6.1 It is a responsibility of the Association to ensure that the persons
responsible for the placing and maintaining of anchors, and the administration
of the programme are indemnified against any sort of claim against them
resulting from their involvement in the programme.
6.2 The Association's insurers are to be kept informed in the development
of the programme in order that they will be able to assess the level of
risk which they are being asked to cover.
6.3 The cost of the insurance should be met by the Association and not by
the people involved in the programme.
7. Costs
7.1 The cost of the programme should be substantially defrayed by the Association,
or by activities which relate directly to the programme (sale of rigging
guides etc.).
7.2 No individual should be expected to fund any aspect of the programme.
8. Documentation
8.1 Adequate documentation of the programme should be kept by the Association
and made available for use by any person involved in the programme.
8.2 Documentation must also be kept in each regional council's area so that
it is easily available to people participating in the bolting programme.
8.3 The burden of administration resulting from the need for adequate documentation
should be lifted, where ever possible, from the volunteers who are actually
responsible for the practical work of the programme. However, the need for
accurate records being kept by the installers cannot be understated and
this should be taken into account in the training programme.
9. Promotion
9.1 The programme should be promoted as a joint venture between the Regional
Councils and the Association. It is important to stress the reliance of
each on the other in the successful implementation of the programme.
9.2 The caving public should be encouraged to use NCA placed anchors in
preference to others, and to request any further placements through their
regional body rather than undertaking the work themselves.
9.3 Rigging guides should be published for this purpose and can be used
to raise money for the programme.
9.4 At all stages of publicity it should be stressed that the work is being
undertaken by volunteers on behalf of the caving public.
10. Participation
10.1 Participation in the programme should be open to anyone who is willing
to do something useful.
10.2 Steps should be taken to encourage participation at all stages from
those people who are known to have commented adversely on the programme
so far.
10.3 It should not be necessary for people to attend meetings in Stafford
or anywhere else in order for their opinions to be taken into account.
As agreed by the National Council meeting of 12 October 1996 (Minute
No. 96.73.1)
27April 1997
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