Department of Labour Commissions Abseil Anchor Tests

The Department of Labour has commissioned independent testing to determine the facts surrounding allegations that some Wellington buildings have unsafe abseil access anchors.

Regional Manager (Central), Brett Murray said: “The testing programme will be overseen by an independent and respected Chartered Engineer to make sure that our tests are undertaken in accordance with relevant standards and requirements.”

The testing programme will include physical inspection and testing of anchor bolts for industrial abseiling access on a number of buildings in Wellington. Each of these buildings is required to have an annual certification of the anchor bolts, and the testing will assess whether there are any concerns about this process.

“The Department is concerned to ensure the safety of abseil access anchors, and the testing process will provide the necessary information on the extent of any problems to help determine the next steps to be taken to ensure confidence in the safety systems and procedures for certification of them,” Mr Murray said.
The Department has also produced an Incident Alert which provides advice to building owners and users of abseil access systems while our investigations are underway. The alert is distributed by the Department.

“Our alert recommends that building owners check their aerial access systems, and if a building owner is in any way concerned about their systems, that they have them tested under the supervision of a Chartered Engineer,” Mr Murray said.

“We also recommend that users of the systems (the industrial abseiling industry) confirm with building owners that the systems are up to relevant safety standards before using them.”

ENDS