At height safety system and method of use thereof

1 . An at height safety system for use in activities undertaken a minimum pre-determined height above a ground surface, said system including detection apparatus for location at at least one required position or in at least one pre-determined area that is to be monitored in use and at the minimum pre-determined height; identification means provided on or associated with an item that is to be monitored within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area; and wherein said detection apparatus includes first detection means arranged for detecting a presence of a person using the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area; at least second detection means arranged for detecting the identification means in use within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area; and processing means for processing one or more signals or data received from the first and at least second detection means, characterized in that the first detection means is arranged to verify the person has been detected within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area at least partly based on any or any combination of a size or shape of the person within a pre-determined size or shape range; a temperature of the person within a pre-determined temperature range; or an image of the person within one or more pre-determined image parameters; wherein the processing means provides one or more pre-defined responses according to any or any combination of the following criteria: on receipt or detection of the one or more signals from the first and at least second detection means; on receipt or detection of one or more absolute values from the first or at least second detection means; in absence of detection of the one or more signals from the first and at least second detection means; or once a pre-determined threshold value has been identified by the first or at least second detection means.

2 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the item with which the identification means are provided on or associated with is any or any combination of a portable item, a safety equipment item, an at height safety equipment item, an item worn by the person; a helmet, a climbing harness, a carabiner, a torch, a tool, glasses, safety goggles, a climbing accessory item, an item of clothing, or an item of footwear.

3 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification means is passive in that it is not powered or does not actively transmit data or one or more signals therefrom in use; the at least second detection means sensing, reading or detecting data associated with the identification means in use; or wherein the identification means is active in that it is powered or actively transmits data or one or more signals therefrom in use; the at least second detection means sensing, reading or detecting data associated with the identification means in use.

4 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the identification means is any or any combination of a beacon, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a bar code, an electronic chip, or a QR code.

5 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the at least second detection means is any detection device, sensing device or reader that allows detection, sensing, reading or monitoring of the identification means in use; or is any or any combination of a beacon sensor, an RFID reader, a bar-code reader, a QR code reader or an electronic chip reader.

6 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the first detection means is any or any combination of temperature sensing means; a heat sensor, a thermal imaging camera, a thermal infra-red sensor, or GRID-EYE sensor.

7 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the system collects or communicates data in real time or timing means or a clock is provided, and the system collects or communicates data in association with a pre-defined time or time period.

8 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more pre-defined responses includes any or any combination of a recorded response, recording response, a download response, a warning response, an alarm response, or a data collection response.

9 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein warning means are provided on or associated with the system to warn or inform a user or third party of a particular status, response or condition relating to the system; and wherein optionally the warning means are arranged to provide a visual warning, an audible warning or a kinesthetic warning.

10 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein different levels or tiers of warning means or responses can be generated by the system depending on the severity of a particular status detected by the system, first or at least second detection means in use.

11 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the system includes communication means for allowing the data or the one or more signals to be communicated to or from the detection apparatus, the first and at least second detection means or the processing means in use; and optionally wherein the communication means includes at least one communication device separate to and remote from the detection apparatus to allow a third party remote to the detection apparatus to monitor the detection apparatus in use.

12 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the system is an automatic belay safety system or a climbing tether safety system.

13 . A method of using an at height safety system in activities undertaken a minimum pre-determined height above a ground surface, said system including detection apparatus for location at at least one required position or in at least one pre-determined area that is to be monitored in use and at the minimum pre-determined height; identification means provided on or associated with an item that is to be monitored within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area; and wherein said method includes the step of detecting a presence of a person using the system and within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area via first detection means; detecting the identification means within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area using at least second detection means; and processing one or more signals or data received from the first and at least second detection means using processing means, characterized in that the first detection means is arranged to verify the person has been detected within the at least one required position or the at least one pre-determined area at least partly based on any or any combination of a size or shape of the person within a pre-determined size or shape range; a temperature of the person within a pre-determined temperature range; or an image of the person within one or more pre-determined image parameters; wherein the processing means provides one or more pre-defined responses according to any or any combination of the following criteria: on receipt or detection of the one or more signals from the first and at least second detection means; on receipt or detection of one or more absolute values from the first or at least second detection means; in absence of detection of the one or more signals from the first and at least second detection means; or once a pre-determined threshold value has been identified by the first or at least second detection means.

14 . An item including identification means for use in an at height safety system according to claim 1 .

15 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the detection apparatus is a single or integral unity or housing.

16 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein the first and at least second detection means are provided in independent and separate housing or units.

17 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein power supply means are provided or associated with the detection apparatus for providing a power supply to the detection apparatus in use.

18 . The at height safety system according to claim 1 , wherein data storage means are provided on or associated with the system or detection apparatus for storing data in use.