Climbing wall safety

The construction of bouldering and climbing walls should meet the requirements of the standards EN 12572:1 and 2.

Two-metre-high wall matting is available to purchase, which can be used when climbing walls built within sports halls or gymnasiums are not in use. It prevents access to the wall and provides protection against the uneven surface of the wall. Access to climbing walls inside and outside needs to be carefully managed and supervised. Procedures might include:

• educating students about rules regarding the use of the facilities
• roping off the area, and using appropriate signage to clearly indicate when the area is out of bounds
• removing or tying up and securing all ropes and other equipment
• keeping facilities that house indoor climbing walls locked when they are not being supervised.

Schools considering installing climbing walls will find the guidance offered in the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) Climbing Wall Manual useful.

Injury from outdoor climbing wall falls is increased where inadequate safety surfaces are installed, or technique is poor. Both rubber crumb and dense foam products are available to help reduce the severity of injury from such falls. Read more about safety surfaces for climbing and bouldering walls.