PREAMBLE
With the introduction of the Anchor
Replacement Programme, British cavers now have the benefit of a properly
controlled and managed programme of installation for fixed aids intended
primarily for SRT. However, in many caves in the UK, SRT is not an appropriate
technique to use and over the years many other types of aid (for example, iron
ladders, chains and Rawlbolts) have been used.
The purpose of this policy is to formalise
the use of these aids in order to provide the same level of protection for the
users and for the installers as now exists under the Anchor Replacement
Programme. Within limits necessarily set by the need to maintain adequate
controls, this policy has intentionally been drafted so that it may include aids
which have already been placed in caves prior to its introduction (subject to an
appropriate adoption procedure) and so as not to limit the selection and
installation of fixed aids to a small and specially trained clique of personnel.
POLICY STATEMENT
The aim of the NCA under this policy is to
provide fixed aids that are tested or inspected regularly, and where appropriate
remedial works or replacement carried out. The number of aids covered will be
kept to a minimum, and where possible alternatives are considered. Where using
other routes is safe and practical, consideration should be given to the removal
of aids.
The aim of this policy is to make caving
safer and to provide protection for those who place fixed aids on behalf of
other cavers. It is not the aim of this policy to make caving easier.
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1
Cave means any natural or man made underground cavity used by
cavers.
1.2
Fixed aid means artificial fixtures or fittings placed in a cave
for the purposes of safe access, progress or egress for regular use or for
rescue, excluding those items covered under the Association’s separate policy
on anchor replacement.
1.3
Fixed aid does not include parts giving structural strength to
cave walls or supporting roof structures etc.
1.4
Constituent Body means a regional council, member cub or
specialist body of the Association.
1.5
Maintenance shall include, where appropriate, testing and
replacement.
2. OBJECTIVES
2.1
To safely provide and maintain fixed aids within caves, potholes and
mines.
2.2 All aids
shall be in caves open to NCA member clubs, as controlled by the constituent
bodies of NCA.
2.3
Installation or adoption of any aid under this policy shall first be
approved at a committee meeting of the relevant constituent body.
2.4
Co-ordination of this policy is the responsibility of the association’s
Equipment Committee.
3. CONSERVATION
3.1
Prior to fixing any new aid or replacing existing ones, consideration
will be given to conservation, both with regard to the immediate area of the
aid, and also to those areas to which it provides access.
3.2
The constituent body officer responsible for conservation shall be
consulted prior to any new or replacement aid being installed.
4. RESCUE
4.1
The British Cave Rescue Council shall be the final arbiters of any matter
relating to rescue.
4.2
Fixed aids covered under this policy shall neither hinder or impede any
potential rescue efforts. If necessary the aid shall be readily removable by the
rescue team.
4.3
Prior to removing or replacing any aid, consideration shall be given to
the potential of the aid to cause a rescue.
4.4
Consideration when installing or replacing aids shall be given to such
factors as flooding, e.g. where a ladder would be better than a chain.
4.5
In cases of doubt with relevance to rescue, the local team must be
consulted.
5. SELECTION
5.1
The selection of the fixed aid system shall be a matter for discussion by
the relevant constituent body, taking account of nationally agreed guidelines.
6. INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE
6.1
A programme of regular inspection and, where necessary, maintenance,
shall be established.
6.2
Inspection and maintenance shall be properly documented in accordance
with section 7 of this policy.
6.3
Persons carrying out inspection and maintenance shall be adequately
competent.
6.4
Inspection and maintenance shall be in accordance with nationally agreed
guidelines
6.5
Any recommendations resulting from an inspection are to be carried out
within a suitable time scale. Failing this, the aid is to be removed from use
until such time as the recommendations can be fulfilled.
7. RECORDS
7.1
Adequate records must be kept by the relevant constituent body for each
fixed aid.
7.2
Records shall be sufficient to clearly identify:
- the location
of the aid in the cave;
- the type of
aid;
- the date(s)
upon which the aid was placed and last inspected;
- the details
of any maintenance work carried out;
- the names of
persons carrying out installation and/or maintenance;
- that the
type of aid selected is appropriate for the application;
- any
pre-installation testing and evaluation performed on the aid.
8. INSURANCE
8.1
Any individual or group authorised to work on behalf of the association
under this policy will be indemnified by the association’s insurance in so far
as they are acting as officers of the association.
8.2
Any works or inspections carried out as part of this policy will be
covered by the Association’s insurance.
9. DISCLAIMER
9.1
Nothing in this policy shall be taken to absolve the responsibility of an
individual using any fixed aid to check that it is fit and safe for its intended
purpose.
9.2
Only aids which have been installed fully in accordance with this policy
shall be considered to be within its scope.
Draft 1 (based on DCA Draft 4 and
discussions at the Equipment Committee Meeting of 13 June 1998).
Draft 2 agreed at the Equipment
Committee meeting of 13 February 1999
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