Employer
2.6 Access to Technical Advice
Employers must have access to technical advice on visit and activity safety matters. The adviser needs to have diverse experience of the range of outdoor activity and visit provision. They should be of sufficient authority to ensure that they can develop and take forward strategy, advice and guidance across all sectors and services.
2.7 Approval for Visits
Whilst the employer has health and safety responsibilities it would be normal practice to delegate approval of routine and simple day visits to the Head of Establishment.
2.8 Planning for Emergencies
Employers must prepare and communicate emergency procedures for all off-site visits. Emergency procedures are an essential part of planning a visit.
3.1 Introduction
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 employers are responsible for the health, safety and welfare at work of their employees.
3.2 Employer’s Responsibilities
Details of the main roles for employers.
4.1 Introduction
Whatever type of visit is being undertaken, time given for preparation will ensure good planning, maximise the potential benefits of the experience and help minimise the risk from any incidents.
4.3 Establishing Ratios
It is important to have a suitable ratio of adult supervisors to participants for any visit.
5.1 Introduction
It is important to have procedures that encourage participation. Risk assessment should focus on real risks, rather than on those that are trivial or the result of over-protectiveness.
5.2 Preparing Risk Assessments
The employer has a legal responsibility to ensure risk assessments are in place for off-site visits and to have a system that ensures these are being implemented.
5.3 Dynamic Risk Assessment
Despite the best planning, the unexpected may happen during a visit. Visit Leaders have to be prepared to change and adapt as required. Experience and training will enable sound judgements to be made.
