Lion's Head new upgrades fail inspection tests

12 March 2019 10:08 AM

Following several safety concerns with the recent upgrades on Lion's head, Table Mountain National Park's Jaclyn Smith gives Kieno Kammies an update.

The staples and ladders recently worked on during a maintenance project on the mountain have been deemed sub-standard.

Smith says an inspection of the new infrastructure was conducted over the weekend and it failed the test.

Read: Hikers raise alarm bells at 'shoddy work' on Lion's Head safety renovations

The general standard for the kind of climbing equipment in high angle settings, it needs to be able to withstand a 600 kg pull test and hold without moving for three without moving.
— Jaclyn Smith, Senior section ranger for Area North - Table Mountain National Park

We took two random samples on the infrastructure and neither of the two passed the test.
— Jaclyn Smith, Senior section ranger for Area North - Table Mountain National Park

The inspection done on the infrastructure will provide TMNP with enough detail to address the situation with the contractor.

She says it will also give them an opportunity to rectify the work and re-do it according to the high angle standard.

Now that we know what the loopholes are, those will be unplugged completely and be able to do proper installation this time around.
— Jaclyn Smith, Senior section ranger for Area North - Table Mountain National Park

To hear the rest of the conversation, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele