N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-14.6 - Operation

(a) Operation of a climbing wall amusement ride shall comply with applicable requirements of N.J.A.C. 5:14A-9.

(b) Patrons shall be supervised at all times.

(c) Access to a climbing wall amusement ride shall be restricted to prevent unauthorized use.

1. Each climbing wall amusement ride shall have a system for controlling patron access.

2. Prior to being permitted access to a climbing wall amusement ride, adequate instruction for safe use of that climbing wall shall be given to each patron. As a minimum, this instruction shall include that required or recommended in the operation manual (5:14A-2.14) .

(d) A written staffing plan, acceptable to the Department, shall be established and implemented.

(e) Rules for use of a climbing wall amusement ride shall be prominently posted in the climbing area and at the entrance to the climbing area.

(f) A written policy regarding use of personal equipment shall be established and implemented.

(g) Climbing rope on a climbing wall amusement ride shall be as specified in the artificial climbing structure manufacturer's manual and conform to one or more of the following standards: EN 892 or UIAA 101.

(h) Low elongation rope on a climbing wall amusement ride shall be as specified in the artificial climbing structure manufacturer's manual.

(i) Harnesses on a climbing wall amusement ride shall be as specified in the artificial climbing structure manufacturer's manual and conform to one or more of the following standards: EN 12277, UIAA 105, or ASTM F 1772.

(j) Connectors on a climbing wall amusement ride shall be as specified in the artificial climbing structure manufacturer's manual and conform to one or more of the following standards: EN 12275, UIAA 121, or ASTM F 1774.

(k) Slings on a climbing wall amusement ride shall be as specified in the artificial climbing structure manufacturer's manual and conform to one or more of the following standards: EN 566 or UIAA 104.

(l) The use zone of a climbing wall amusement ride shall be free of objects not used in the climbing process.

(m) Self-belay shall not be permitted on a climbing wall amusement ride.

(n) Rappelling without belay shall not be permitted on a climbing wall amusement ride.

(o) Rock walls employing manual-belay devices shall comply with the following:

1. The belayer shall pass a test, demonstrating competency in use of the belay system, prior to performing belay of a climber.

2. The belayer shall check the connection from the climber to the belay system and the fitting of the climber's harness, in accordance with the pre-climb checklist found in the operation manual, immediately prior to climb commencing.

3. If the climber or belayer detect any abnormalities with the wall, rope, or equipment, they shall notify the floor supervisor immediately and follow the floor supervisor's instructions.

4. Only manual-belay devices specified in the operation manual and rated for such application shall be used.

5. The belay device shall be attached to the belayer's belay loop on their harness, or where specified by the manufacturer, using a locking carabiner.

6. The climbing rope is to be attached to the belay device in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications found in the operation manual.

7. While operating a belaying device, the belayer shall always keep a hand around the brake end of the rope.

(p) Rock walls employing auto-belay devices shall comply with the following:

1. A floor supervisor shall check the connection from the climber to the auto-belay system and the fitting of climber's harness, in accordance with the pre-climb checklist found in the operation manual, immediately prior to climb commencing.

(q) Rock walls where lead-climbing is permitted shall comply with the following:

1. The belayer and climber shall pass a test, demonstrating competency in use of the lead-climbing system, prior to their being permitted to use the climbing wall.

(r) Rock walls where a bouldering feature is provided shall comply with the following:

1. A floor supervisor shall monitor the safety of the climber and ensure the climber does not move into another climbing zone.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:14A-14.6

Amended by R.2009 d.118, effective 4/20/2009.
See: 41 N.J.R. 10(a), 41 N.J.R. 1721(a).
Deleted former (m); recodified former (n) through (s) as (m) through (r); rewrote ( o)2; and deleted ( o)8, (p)2, (q)2 and (r)2.