By adminPosted on December 20, 2021January 19, 2022 The zipline industry has evolved. Although aerial adventure has been around for some time, the sector has developed considerably. Camp ziplines in their simplest forms started to be implemented around 50 years ago. Yet, these weren’t as high as today and had specific purposes. Also, they were not always available to the public. Everything changed when the adventure industry boomed in Mexico and Costa Rica, giving place to a new way of entertainment. People looking for thrilling activities started to find zipline structures in new destinations. Thus, the aerial adventure concept was born and zipline canopy is the perfect complement for this. As canopy began to gain popularity, it became important to establish safety measures. This is vital to provide a secure environment for people to enjoy an aerial adventure. The importance of safety A study by Gary A. Smith, released in 2015, throws worrying results. There were nearly 17,000 zipline injuries in the US from 1997 to 2012. A large part of these involved children. Approximately 50% of these injuries involved children younger than 10 years and 33% involved children from 10 to 19 years old. In 2016, the OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the state of California cited a zipline company. This measure was taken after a user broke a leg riding one of the company’s lines. The company continued to operate after this warning and made workers try the equipment without proper measures. Backyard zip lines are causing injuries across the country too. Also in 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled a zip kit from the market. This had been reported to present a serious flaw: it was built in such a way that it was easy for the cable to separate from the line. As we can see in the video below, experts advise against installing backyard ziplines. These can be dangerous and have been proven to cause injuries. In the US, this industry is not federally regulated. In most states, ziplines are supervised by the labor department. In Minnesota and Connecticut, the state fire Marshall is responsible for overseeing ziplines. The department of agriculture is the one taking responsibility in other states like Florida or Pennsylvania. Some states don’t even present such regulations and the guidelines are stipulated by county or town laws. Ways to promote safety in canopy ziplines Design in a safe surrounding Safety must be considered from the very first step. Engineers must lay out a construction plan that will assure a secure structure. They must analyze the geography, weather conditions, and topography of the area. Supports, construction materials, and corridor clearances are also important. If trees are part of the structure, contractors must hire an arborist. The supporting trees must be healthy and vital to secure a solid base. It’s important to keep the zipline corridor free of obstacles, this includes controlling trees’ growth. Keeping a safe distance from the surroundings helps avoid accidents. When it comes to poles, builders can use steel or utility. The latter can be used to provide flexibility to the line, but they require regular supervision and high maintenance. Maintenance and inspection The zipline equipment requires daily inspection and regular maintenance. Broken, displaced, or loose wires, diameter reduction, and physical damage to the impact areas can cause the structure to fail. Although the integrity of the materials is the responsibility of the zipline managers, users can revise the hardware’s conditions. You should watch out for tattered safety equipment. Also, don’t trust companies that give you a heavy glove as a braking mechanism. This may lead to broken hands, crashed fingers, and collisions. Operation mistakes Most of the canopy injuries are caused by malpractices. The operating team must be duly trained to prevent accidents. Some common mistakes are: Resetting breaks improperly Not checking attachments and harnesses Miscommunication Lack of capabilities Inefficient rescue procedures Personal safety Personal safety equipment is vital to this equation. It’s provided by the operator and must undergo strict inspections. Warn equipment and hardware must always be replaced and this can be achieved with regular supervision. Helmets must not present cracks or fractures. Harnesses should be in good shape, free of abrasions, broken stitchings, and stiffness. The buckle must function properly without interfering with the webbing. While getting ready for your zipline ride, check out the condition of the carabiner. Make sure it’s not distorted, worn out, or cracked. Finally, the gate and locking systems must be revised for deformation and scoring, The same goes for all moving parts, poles, and ropes. A conclusion on zipline safety Aerial adventure is suitable for people of all ages. Tourists, backpackers, families, or honeymooners can enjoy an awesome canopy experience. But this can be ruined by not taking the necessary measures. Security is the provider’s main responsibility, but this doesn’t mean we cannot help. The optimal protection is achieved while working as a team. Hand in hand, line operators, government and regulatory agencies, and users can boost the canopy industry even further across the globe. Zipline
