Operational Inspection and Maintenance Course
Instructor Training Courses
Who is this course for?
The Operational Inspection and Maintenance Course was developed to assist users who carry out inspections and maintenance on ropes courses and off-ground adventure activity installations at their own sites. BS EN 15567-2: 2015 paragraph 10.2 states; “operational inspections shall be carried out by a competent person at least every 1 to 3 months, or as indicated by the manufacturer's instructions”.
A competent person should have enough appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the ropes course so that they can detect defects or weaknesses and assess how important they are in relation to the safety and continued use of the equipment.
Operational inspections are primarily intended to identify structural deterioration that might be missed on a day-to-day basis. A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of the ropes course by a competent person, at height, to detect any defects that are, or might become dangerous to users.
Attendees should already be Ropes Course Instructors or have sufficient experience of working at height.
Why choose our Operational Inspection and Maintenance Course?
Our Operational Inspection and Maintenance Course is assured by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and is recognised by the European Ropes Course Association (ERCA).
The course has been developed to teach individuals the methods of inspecting ropes courses and other off-ground adventure structures to meet the BS EN 15567-2: 2015.
Delivered through a combination of both theoretical and practical sessions over the 5 days; the training course develops the knowledge and experience of candidates. Each day of the training course is broken down to cover various topics;
Day 1 - theoretical overview of inspections
Day 2 - inspection of wire rope, wood poles and ropes course components
Day 3 - work at height and accessing skills
Day 4 - operational inspection of a ropes course
Day 5 - inspection reports; assessments and review
Duration
5 days including assessment
2 days Refresher Course
Location
Technical Outdoor Solutions training venue in Penrith, Cumbria
Certification
RoSPA approved certificate
Groups Size
Minimum 4 people
What to Expect
The training course provides both theoretical and practical sessions to give candidates the knowledge and experience to be assessed as a competent person in the inspection of ropes courses and off-ground adventure structures.
The contents of the training course includes the following topics;
- Laws, regulations and EN standards.
- Selection of equipment for working at height and carrying out inspections on ropes courses.
- Types of inspections on ropes courses and off-ground activity installations.
- Toolbox talks and communication of plans with other rescuers/inspectors.
- Safe methods of work at height and accessing on a ropes course.
- Inspection techniques for wood poles.
- Inspection techniques for wire rope.
- Inspection techniques for metal work, connectors, fixings and other ropes course components.
- Inspection techniques for participant safety systems and specific elements or equipment.
- Inspection reports.
- Record keeping - helping you to update relevant paperwork.
The assessment for this training course includes; a practical assessment of safe methods of work at height whilst carrying out an operational inspection; a written operational inspection report; theoretical question paper and inspection of various ropes course components.
Available Courses
Operational Inspection and Maintenance Course
For Organisations
Location: Client venue Duration: 5 days Group Size: Max 6 people
Contact us for a quote
charged as a per day rate
For Individuals
Location: Technical Outdoor Solutions Training Centre Penrith Duration: 5 days Group Size: Min 4 people
16th - 20th November 2026
11th - 15th January 2027
19th - 23rd April 2027
6th - 10th September 2027
8th - 12th November 2027
£500
+vat
per person
Operational Inspection and Maintenance Refresher Course
For Organisations
Location: Client venue Duration: 2 days Group Size: Max 6 people
Contact us for a quote
charged as a per day rate
For Individuals
Location: Technical Outdoor Solutions Training Centre Penrith Duration: 2 days Group Size: Min 4 people
£200
+vat
per person
General Requirements
- Minimum age: 18 years old.
- Hold an in-date First Aid certificate.
- Must be confident at height.
- Good physical condition, able to partake in the activity.
- Have knowledge of basic accessing techniques.
- Refresher Courses - you must have previously attended a full course and be able to provide your certificate or details of the course.
Trainee Reviews
My skills have improved dramatically. I now know what it is to be an ERCA Instructor and the professional standards that it involves.
I know my responsibilities as a Ropes Course Instructor - what I can do and what laws apply to Working at Height.
Training Course Images
