Guidelines

Guidelines

The ABC publishes and maintains a collection of guideline documents with the intention of ensuring an excellent and consistent level of operational safety across the climbing industry. The ABC guidelines outline a series of industry standards and make recommendations based on the experience of ABC members, BS EN Standards and relevant legislation and publications.

The guidelines are laid out in five easy to navigate sections. The latest edition is Version 7, with Parts 1-4 recently released, and Part 5 to come in the coming months.

Part 1: Design, Construction & Maintenance of Artificial Climbing Structures

Part 2: Policies & Procedures

Part 3: Safeguarding

Part 4: Entry Procedures & Acceptance of Risk

Part 5: Additional Facilities (V7 coming soon)

Access to the guidelines is an exclusive ABC Member benefit. Members can find the latest editions of the guidelines in the Member Downloads section of their account. Please contact us with any questions.

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Front cover of the ABC Operational Guidelines Part 1: Design, Construction and Maintenance of Artificial Climbing Structures
This document refers specifically to the design, construction, modification, inspection and maintenance of Artificial Climbing Structures as defined in BS EN 12572-1:2017 and BS EN 12572-2:2017.
Front cover of the ABC Operational Guidelines Part 2: Policies and Procedures
This document outlines key policies and procedures as they apply to climbing walls specifically, including risk assessments, emergency procedures, incident management plans, setting policies, staff recruitment and training, floor walking and more.
Front cover of the ABC Operational Guidelines Part 3: Safeguarding
This document outlines safeguarding guidelines which are driven and informed by the Child Protection in Sport Unit of the NSPCC, the Ann Craft Trust and policies and procedures of partner organisations including the BMC, Mountaineering Ireland and Mountaineering Scotland.
Front cover of the ABC Operational Guidelines Part 4: Entry Procedures and Acceptance of Risk
This document refers specifically to the Acknowledgment of Risk forms which all climbing walls use to register their customers, as well as competency checks, supervision, policies for under 18 climbers, and data protection.