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Abseiling

Legislation does not specifically cover abseiling or rope access techniques unless it is a service provided to children for payment. However, if conducted as a work activity – for example as part of a production – the Health and Safety at Work Act and other legislation, such as the working at height regulations, apply.

For industrial purposes, IRATA (Industrial Rope Access Trading Association) has developed and implemented schemes to regulate and control safety issues, and for recreational abseiling the governing bodies are Mountain Training UK and the British Mountaineering Council.

See below for productions’ and operators’ responsibilities and our checklist.

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Abseiling | International Advice

Specialist: Alastair Kleissner

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Alastair is a Chartered member of IOSH and a member of the Member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management who holds a NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, a Level 6 NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety Practice and a Level 5 Award in Crowd Safety Management He has over 20 years' experience working in Film, Theatre, and Events after gaining a BA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. He specializes in supporting productions in CDM compliance and rigging safety working on high complex shoots leading teams of consultants to ensure productions have the best possible advice and all areas of Event safety. Alastair is a highly respected member of the IOSH Theatre Advisory Group and the ABTT Safety Committee and is currently responsible for supporting clients both on productions and in their premises.

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Article last updated on Sep 10th, 2025

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