Tackle Store

Introduction

This document outlines CUCC practice relating to the Tackle Store and its contents. The document covers four areas:

1. Storage of equipment.
   
2. Maintenance and inspection of equipment.
   
3. Operational procedures.
   
4. Guidelines for use of CUCC equipment.
   

Before reading this document, reference should be made to the novice/experienced caver safety documents so that safety considerations can be viewed in their correct context.

It should be noted that although the CUCC Tackle Master is usually an undergraduate, the club has a number of graduate members with many years' experience of caving. These members are continually involved and consulted in matters relating to equipment.

Storage of equipment

CUCC equipment is stored in the Tackle Store at 6 Grange Road. Keys are distributed at a cost of £5 per pair to the committee members and to other club members at the Tackle Master's discretion.

Within the Tackle Store, the various types of equipment are stored on shelves or hooks as appropriate. Rope is chained and sorted according to length. Each rope bears a label at both ends identifying its year of purchase and length. Should this coding be ambiguous, extra letters are added to disambiguate. Ladders are coiled and nested. The club's own articles of cave clothing are labelled and stored on shelves.

An inventory of the Tackle Store is conducted annually, often immediately prior to the summer expedition. Items are added or removed from the online inventory list as soon as they enter or leave the tackle store, and the inventory insures that gear is not lost or stolen.

Maintenance and inspection of equipment

The maintenance requirements of caving equipment vary from one type to the next.

Rope

Of all caving equipment, rope is the most likely to suffer damage in use. For this reason, CUCC ropes are inspected between each meet. This inspection usually takes place at specific 'ropewashing' meetings organised by the Tackle Master.

Caving rope consists of a load bearing core of dense fibres surrounded by a protective sheath of more fibres. There are four main classes of potential rope damage:

1. General weakening of the fibres caused by grit working into the weave of the rope and abrading the fibres.
   
2. Severe abrasion of the fibres. This is caused when (as a result of poor rigging or difficult terrain) the rope stretches over the edge of a rock and oscillatory movement occurs under load.
   
3. Damage to the core as a result of shock loading.
   
4. Chemical damage caused by exposure to certain chemicals (e.g. carbide) or UV radiation.
   

To counter these threats, the following procedures are followed:

1. The ropes are washed in cool water without detergent. Specially designed brushes are wrapped around the rope and held underwater. These clean the rope as it is pulled through them. This helps prevent grit becoming engrained in the fibres of the rope.
   
2. When the rope is reasonably clean, it is inspected visually for signs of abrasion to the outer fibres. This should detect damage before the load bearing core is affected.
   
3. Damage to the core is detected by flexing the rope in a hoop shape. Sudden changes in the flexibility of the rope indicate potential damage.
   
4. Ropes are only transported in purpose made bags. This keeps the worst of the dirt off them and blocks out UV radiation. As a precaution against general aging, all ropes are retired after five years' service.
   

The inspection and certification of rope is performed by such persons as are identified in the relevant safety documents. Any critical damage found at a ropewashing session is either rectified (by dissecting the rope to remove the damaged section(s)) or the rope withdrawn from service.

Metalwork

General metalwork such as hangers and c-links require little attention other than occasional cleaning and prevention of rust. Damage to a ladder should become apparent during the coiling operation.

Other Equipment

Slings are inspected and washed regularly though they are many times stronger than necessary. Non-structural articles such as cave clothing are not considered safety-critical and hence are not inspected formally. However, it is to be expected that any member would report any damage found.

All equipment is generally reviewed during the annual equipment audit.

Operational procedures

The equipment required for a caving trip is selected from the Tackle Store by a responsible CUCC member of sufficient experience to ensure the fitness for purpose of any equipment they select.

The equipment is transported in purpose designed bags (generally made of PVC). Ropes are unchained prior to being taken underground. This enables easy identification later of which ropes were used during the weekend and which were not.

When rope returns from a caving trip, it is deposited on wooden pallet at the back of the tackle store. If rope is washed but not checked, it should be left coiled. If rope is neither washed nor checked, it should be left on the pallet uncoiled. As soon a possible after the gear has been returned, the Tackle Master organises a ropewashing session if there is equipment to be washed and/or checked.

Notwithstanding these rules, everyone is required to use their common sense when using CUCC equipment, as hard and fast rules cannot cover every eventuality. Everyone must be responsible for their own safety and should not abdicate that responsibility to the apparent security of a set of procedures.

Guidelines for use of CUCC equipment

1. Equipment must be stored properly on shelves, hooks or other means as appropriate, in such a way that it will not be damaged.
   
2. Equipment must not be used for any purpose other than caving or training.
   
3. Those taking equipment from the Tackle Store for caving or training use must make sure that, to the best of their knowledge, it is suitable for the intended use(s).
   
4. All equipment on the floor must be treated as uninspected and not taken for caving or training use.
5. Equipment taken from the Tackle Store must be looked after and protected from damage while in transit to its point of use.
   
6. Returned equipment must either be placed on the floor of the Tackle Store or taken directly to the next ropewashing session.
   
7. All users must use their common sense and make sure that any equipment they use is safe, treat it responsibly and do their best to prevent unnecessary damage. If in doubt, ask more experienced and knowledgeable people.