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Accident at climbing gym 14-May-2003 At 12:46:00 PM Cliffhanger

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Hi guys, as a climbing gym owner, i am surprised - i didn't think that many people were concerned about climbing accidents.

My thoughts (for what they are worth) as an owner, based on the last few months of discussion on this topic...

1. Gym Safety - most of the gyms have improved somewhat since Seaford 1992! I also observed that injury Kieren.
2. Matting - i actually beleieve it is up to the gym owner as to what they have, but if you put matting down, it needs to be "sufficient as to not cause other injuries". So gaps in bouldering mats, or mats that are too short are not acceptable as there is a duty of care to provide something suitable for the purpose!
3. Gym supervision is always an issue, and children's parties should be heavily supervised, as they have the most likelihood of an accident.
4. Common Sense....... what is the difinition, it's a bit like "logical" what's the definition of that? Gym owners cannot rely on these things or peoples perveption of them, they need to have rules to set down the guidelines for commonsense, otherwise they open themselves up to a litigation nightmare.
5. Tell the gym - FOR SURE. If you see an issue at a gym, tell the owner/manager, WE WANT TO KNOW, as we cannot be everywhere at once.

Keep up the safety discussions guys, if the climbing community doesn't talk it and walk it, the government will eventually legislate it.

And while i'm here, a gratuitous plug - our new bouldering cave has a 300mm thick continuous (NO GAPS) landing surface!!!