Don't Dread your Ropes Shed
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7 Tips to Improve your Equipment Storage
It is April, and as we prepare for spring programming, we may be entering the rope shed for the first time since the snow barrier formed. As the door creaks open and a familiar blend of sunscreen, dust, harnesses, and rope strikes the nose, we might feel a sense of hesitation to get our hands dirty.
There are many benefits of a clean work space including increased productivity, reduced stress while looking for gear, finding treasures and lost functional equipment, and easier orientation for new staff. This is the best opportunity to take stock of gear and the condition it is in with a thorough inspection. Following this inspection we now know what gear might be missing, what needs repairs, and what needs to be ordered. A cleaner shed reduces allergies from dust, pollen, mold, and mildew, and is a great way to get excited about the upcoming season by creating a more positive setting for our adventure staff. So lets slip on the gloves, play some tunes and prepare for spring together with these tips to improve our ropes shed experience.
1. Remove the clutter
It might seem like common knowledge that unimportant things take up space for important things, yet year after year we have "that corner" full of pool noodles, rubber chickens, and every other toy and tool used to enhance our program. Some of these rarely see the light of day but are kept around just in case. A guideline to thinning out our extras is to ask "Have we used this in the past year?", and "Will we use it this year?". If the answer is no, then lets remove it! This should be applied to anything not deemed a "need" for our program. We like to separate our debrief tools from the rest using seal-able totes.
The major benefits of de-cluttering includes more storage space, shorter time spent looking for equipment and less cleaning time, and fewer spots for pests to nest. This de-cluttering should include searching equipment should go into every corner of the shed, behind every table and shelf. We are likely to find some junk, some fun things, maybe a mug with moldy hot chocolate, but we also might find that carabiner that we thought was stolen or lost in the October leaves.
The major benefits of de-cluttering includes more storage space, shorter time spent looking for equipment and less cleaning time, and fewer spots for pests to nest. This de-cluttering should include searching equipment should go into every corner of the shed, behind every table and shelf. We are likely to find some junk, some fun things, maybe a mug with moldy hot chocolate, but we also might find that carabiner that we thought was stolen or lost in the October leaves.
2. Inspect
Now that we know nothing is hidden between the hoolahoops and the toolbox, it is time to thoroughly inspect all life safety equipment. Aside from the wear and tear we might look for in a pre-use check during the middle of a season, we additionally want to look for deterioration from storage. For soft goods, this should include looking for mold, animals nests and chewing damage, unfamiliar smells and any changes in texture or colour that may be a result of exposure to chemicals. For hard goods such as connectors, we are mainly looking for rust if it was stored in a moist container.
For tips on cleaning your gear check out this post from our own Kathy Haras.
Taking stock of our equipment should consist of counting how much functional gear we have, as well as counting how much functional gear will be required to operate. This changes from day to day, and we might be running with smaller groups now which makes it the best time to figure out what will be needed from May to September when groups are larger and there are more elements open concurrently.
Labeling our equipment becomes more necessary as inventory increases. With each label idea, a corresponding inventory sheet is key. A simple table list will let us go into as much detail as we like, but some suggested headings are the gear manufacturer, the name or type, any corresponding serial number that came with it or that we might create for our label, when it was manufactured and when it was put in to circulation, and the general condition or any specific notes about form and function. If this inventory is kept up to date, we can get ahead of ordering gear that will soon age out, as well as monitor the degradation or decreased performance of equipment over time. This form should be updated every time gear is added or taken out of circulation.
Now that we know nothing is hidden between the hoolahoops and the toolbox, it is time to thoroughly inspect all life safety equipment. Aside from the wear and tear we might look for in a pre-use check during the middle of a season, we additionally want to look for deterioration from storage. For soft goods, this should include looking for mold, animals nests and chewing damage, unfamiliar smells and any changes in texture or colour that may be a result of exposure to chemicals. For hard goods such as connectors, we are mainly looking for rust if it was stored in a moist container.
For tips on cleaning your gear check out this post from our own Kathy Haras.
3. Ensure retired gear does not return to circulation
The wall of fame featuring retired gear Some has the signatures of staff from years past, some makes us question how it was used for so long, and others make us question how it was used at all. These legacy items can be a great conversation starter but they may also lead to potential problems if a retired piece makes it back in to circulation. If you retire a piece of gear, ideally it should be removed from your site, but disassembly and obvious labeling are some ways to keep your talking points around if your shed doubles as a museum exhibit. If equipment is registered to an amusement device it may be required for it to be destroyed and removed from site entirely.
Having a separate "Questionables" hook or bin where staff can temporarily store equipment that needs further inspection will also help to keep the wrong gear out. A quick label or signed sheet explaining what to investigate and what action was taken provides clarity and a record for accountability.
4. Label equipment and take inventory
Taking stock of our equipment should consist of counting how much functional gear we have, as well as counting how much functional gear will be required to operate. This changes from day to day, and we might be running with smaller groups now which makes it the best time to figure out what will be needed from May to September when groups are larger and there are more elements open concurrently.
Labeling our equipment becomes more necessary as inventory increases. With each label idea, a corresponding inventory sheet is key. A simple table list will let us go into as much detail as we like, but some suggested headings are the gear manufacturer, the name or type, any corresponding serial number that came with it or that we might create for our label, when it was manufactured and when it was put in to circulation, and the general condition or any specific notes about form and function. If this inventory is kept up to date, we can get ahead of ordering gear that will soon age out, as well as monitor the degradation or decreased performance of equipment over time. This form should be updated every time gear is added or taken out of circulation.
One of the easiest but more costly ways to label gear is to have different coloured ropes, carabiners, and belay devices. This helps us communicate to belay teams easier, as well as designate certain ropes for certain elements, and separate lengths of rope, but this is not enough for us to differentiate the same colour gear from each other. This also cannot be applied individually across all gear like participant harness and helmets, but it can be helpful to quickly designate sizes.
Another idea for labeling gear is to use different coloured electrical tape which can be found at most dollar stores. This allows us to track ropes, harnesses, and even create belay kits. Next, we can further separate participant gear from instructor gear. Staff will always appreciate staff helmets. Finally, is it key to clearly indicate which equipment is designated for the rescue kit with a tape colour not used for anything else. A drawback to tape is that it will eventually wear out or slip off and we may spend some time every season re-taping, as well as finding little bits on the ground. Additionally, when doing an inspection we should be checking underneath the tape.
Another idea is to simply label equipment with a permanent marker. This is a cheap solution that gets straight to the point, and allows us to write information such as when it entered circulation, and any custom label numbers or codes. However, permanent markers should not be applied directly to any soft goods such as harness, ropes, or nylon webbing as the marker will damage your goods. There is typically a label provided by the manufacturer which will have some open space for a marker.
A work around for this are metal or plastic tags attached with a zip tie or other fastener. Writing with a permanent marker and placing a strip of clear packing tape over top will ensure a clear and durable label, as long as the tag is attached to the equipment.
Finally, at Adventureworks we have started experimenting with nylon printed labels. We attach them the same as the metal or plastic tags, and they come colour coded, numbered, durable, and waterproof. If you are interested in trying this out at your facility please send us an email at info@adventureworks.org.
Finally, at Adventureworks we have started experimenting with nylon printed labels. We attach them the same as the metal or plastic tags, and they come colour coded, numbered, durable, and waterproof. If you are interested in trying this out at your facility please send us an email at info@adventureworks.org.
Knowing which gear is which can be so much more than just a convenience, and it may be required if you operate an amusement device such as a zip line or free fall device.
5. Store equipment properly
It is finally time to put it all back together. Coiling and hanging our ropes
brings a long list of benefits including optimized space, and
a quicker pre-use check due to no tangles or knots being formed while in a bag
or bin. Additionally, hanging ropes helps them to dry out after a wet day,
and makes it a significantly less appealing nest for critters.
The same principals apply for
harnesses and any other soft goods like lanyards, and nylon webbing, and
inspecting harnesses has never been easier than having a hook at eye level for
the piece to hang from. It also should be said that while most rescue kits come in a pre-packaged bag, squirrels and mice find the sheltered area a desirable location to chew on ropes. For this reason we like to hang our rescue kit if possible, and always check the condition before the program starts. Having to perform a rescue does not need the added stress of finding that pieces are missing, broken, or have been chewed on.
However, sometimes our shed doesn't have the right hardware, space, or configuration to have hooks or dowels for equipment to hang on. If hanging gear is not an option for you, hard goods can easily be organized and stored in labelled bins on shelves. Separating D carabiners from offset D carabiners might not be a big deal, but separating Maillon Rapides from hardware store rapid links might be. Stainless steel racks allow for better airflow and collect less dust, but a shelf is a shelf.
Storing our ropes in cloth bags is a way to keep them separated, and makes transporting them easier if the walk from your storage to your element is actually a hike. Here at Canterbury Hills, we usually pack out our rope bags in hiking backpacks because we have quite a way to go. A tough seal-able tote is one way to secure ropes for long term storage, but is not full-proof as mice and insects can be clever and persistent.
6. Have a first aid kit and a tool box
A stocked and easily accessible first aid kit is essential. Having
to return to the office or dining hall to look for a Band-Aid in the middle of
a program cuts the flow, kills time, and is unprofessional. If you also have some
distance between your shed and your elements, having portable kits that leave
with every instructor is an idea to consider.
Tools like wrenches, scissors, tape, and a toothbrush for cleaning carabiners keeps staff from digging through the main site maintenance tool box. A cleared workbench or table to perform repairs, cut rope, and fill out forms will help improve consistency of record keeping. Good lighting is essential, and a broom that gets used regularly will go a long way to keeping the work space and equipment clean.
Tools like wrenches, scissors, tape, and a toothbrush for cleaning carabiners keeps staff from digging through the main site maintenance tool box. A cleared workbench or table to perform repairs, cut rope, and fill out forms will help improve consistency of record keeping. Good lighting is essential, and a broom that gets used regularly will go a long way to keeping the work space and equipment clean.
7. Item Wish List
Some items should be readily available to staff such as pens, and plenty of pre-use
check and hour logging forms. Local Operating Procedures, and the Risk Management
plan should be clearly indicated.
There are a few special items added
to your shed that can make work more enjoyable, keeping staff happy, and
participants happier. Great ideas include
a kettle or coffee maker, water dispenser, hooks for clothing layers and rain gear, a portable heater for the colder months and a fan for summer, and a receptacle to charge electronic devices or plug in a sound system helps to uplift the mood. If your site buys rope by the spool, a tool that will cut time significantly is a rope burner.
These tips will help to keep gear cleaner and last longer, especially if it does not go missing. Cleaning and organizing our storage can have long lasting positive effects on staff moral and productivity. It is tough to expect staff to want to spend time in a frozen and dirty shed to pre-use check the gear or fill out forms. Allowing for staff to have a warm drink and a quick chat reduces mistakes in the morning. Finally, it is important to remember that setting
the standard starts with leading by example, and providing the right circumstances around the work environment and scheduling will help maintain your shed throughout the year.