First Edition March 1998

Introduction

• If you offer certain adventure activities in remote or isolated environments and in return for payment the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations (1996) require you to under-go an inspection and to obtain an Activities Licence. The inspection examines how you or your organisation ensure that nationally recognised safety standards are being met. As a result of the demand to know what our inspection criteria are, and how they may be applied to those who do not come within the remit of the Regulations, the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority have produced a Self-assessment and Guidance Pack.

Who is self-assessment for?

• If you arrange, or lead, outdoor adventurous activities for other people (of any age), whether in a professional, educational or voluntary capacity then the self assessment and guidance pack will be useful.

• It is particularly relevant if you offer the same or similar activities as defined in the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations, even if you are exempt from the regulations for whatever reason.

• If the activities involved are not covered by the Licensing Regulations (for example, archery, jet-skiing, hang-gliding, etc.) the principles examined in the self assessment process will be equally relevant.

Why bother to under-go self-assessment?

• Completing the process leads you step by step through many of the issues relating to the management of safety issues in outdoor adventurous activities.

• As a new or experienced provider a structured approach to safety management can unearth safety issues that you hadn't thought of or considered.

• The Appendices at the back of the Pack contain useful models for carrying out a written risk assessment of your organisation.

What is the Self-assessment and Guidance pack?

• The Self Assessment questionnaire was developed from the British Quality Foundation model. The questions however are based on the experience of the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority inspectorate following hundreds of inspections carried out under the Licensing Regulations.

• The Guidance is drawn from nationally accepted standards as identified by the relevant National Governing Bodies of adventure sports, from existing legislation, and from the collective experience of the outdoor community.

General format

The self assessment pack is divided into three subsections and is structured so as to lead you logically through the various safety aspects of providing adventure activities.

A. People

• A1 Activity Leader Qualifications and Competence
• A2 Approved Technical Advisors
• A3 The Qualifications 'Matrix'
• A4 The Deployment Matrix
• A5 Daily Deployment of Leaders
• A6 Clarity of Responsibility
• A7 Recruitment of Activity Leaders
• A8 Induction of Activity Leaders
• A9 Monitoring & Appraisal
• A10 Activity Leader Training
• A11 Recording of Training
• A12 Staff Turnover
• A13 Freelance Staff
• A14 Volunteers

B. Procedures

• B1 Written Operational Procedures
• B2 Updating of Operational Procedures
• B3 Formal Risk Assessment
• B4 General Meetings for Activity Leaders
• B5 Incident, Accident & Emergency Procedures
• B6 Incident Accident and Emergency Records & Reviews
• B7 Ease of Contact & Lines of Communication
• B8 Location of Overdue Activity Groups
• B9 Modification of Venue or Activity

C. Activities, Facilities and Equipment

• C 1 Appropriate Activities
• C2 Modification of Activities or Venue
• C3 Range of Equipment
• C4 Hired Equipment
• C5 Equipment provided by Participants
• C6 Use of Activity Leaders' Personal Equipment
• C7 Maintenance of Equipment
• C8 First Aid Equipment
• C9 First Aid Qualifications
• C10 Unaccompanied Activities
• C11 Supervision of Unaccompanied Activities
• C12 New or Unfamiliar Venues
• C13 NGB Centre Accreditation & Approval Schemes
• C14 Other Safety or similar Inspections
• C15 Other Safety related Statutory Requirements
• C16 Insurance

Appendix 1: Risk assessments for new providers

Appendix 2: The Conrad Process: 'An approach to risk assessment for existing providers of adventure activities'.

How the Self-assessment and Guidance Pack works.

Not every topic will apply to every provider. We prompt you to consider each topic and then move on if it does not apply.

Guidance Notes accompanying each topic offer pointers based on current 'good practice'. It is not our intention to tell you exactly how you should run your activities. That is, and must always remain, your responsibility. However, the notes will guide you towards a variety of options and systematic approaches which you can consider.

The notes will usually be followed by five statements which describe a range of approaches to a particular aspect of safety management. You select the statement under each section which best describes your approach to that topic.

In most cases a target rating is shown against which you can compare your own findings. A normal minimum rating is also given where one is applicable. Caution should be exercised here. Every situation is different and should be considered on its merits.

Space is then provided for you to outline the remedial measures you think may be necessary or which should at least be considered further. These may then form the basis for future changes or improvements.

Available from:

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority
17 Lambourne Crescent
Cardiff Business Park,
Llanishen
CARDIFF
CF14 5GF

Tel: 029 2075 5715
Price: £25.