Inappropriate Use of Braking System Injures Zip Line Patron

Location: Kootenays
Regulated industry sector: Amusement Devices – Zip line

Incident overview

A ziplining patron was unable to stop during a tour, resulting in injury to their ribs and back. The zipline consisted of a brake block and pulley system, where weights are added to create friction on the braking system to slow down patrons. In this incident, the guide did not anticipate the speed of the patron and failed to add enough weights to slow the patron down before they contacted the back-up braking pad. The failed braking system, combined with rain and wind conditions, increased the speed of the zip lining patron rather than decreasing speed as they neared the end of the line.

Contributing factors to this incident included the decision to continue operations of the zip line in poor weather conditions and the failure of the guide to use the braking system appropriately.