Risk Assessment and Management

Why do you undertake outdoor activities ? What makes them worthwhile

Outdoor adventure Ewart 1989 “ activities and experiences taking place in the outdoors that are exciting, physically and or mentally challenging and where participants confront real uncertainties “

Mortlock 1984 “Risk is as basic to adventure as competition is to sport but the stakes are normally higher” …the inclusion of risk is an essential and desirable element of the learning experience…its removal would fundamentally alter the nature of the experience.

Hazard Something that has potential to cause harm Physical Psychological

Risk The likelihood that harm will occur

Impact and Likelihood

Sources of Hazards and risks Human i.e. participants themselves Attitudes, motive, attributes, behaviour Ability Experience Fitness Fears Specifics- medication

Environmental Equipment Terrain Weather Animals Inappropriate use Inadequate Poor condition

Levels of Risk Assesment Generic – e.g. Hypothermia, Getting lost, Injury, Objective danger Site/ Activity Analysis of ‘the tunnel walk ’ Rock climbing - Dynamic – ‘in process’: control and management dealing with events as they arise

Risk Assessment Consider all significant hazards Working environment ( physical hazards and natural phenomena ) Equipment to be used Teaching /instruction strategies & activities Competence and development stage of participants Competence of leaders – K S E Inter relationship of the above

Hierarchy of controls Remove the hazard Substitute the activity Modify the activity nature, time , equipment Use safe system of working Increase supervision ratio Increase training of leaders Specify higher qualification/competence levels for leaders

Risk Management Identify hazards- potentially harmful aspects Assess level of risk of harm – High /low Acceptable / unacceptable Manage the risk to reduce its potential impact to an acceptable level

Activity does not cause accidents – people cause accidents By being in the wrong place By having the wrong equipment By making the wrong decisions