In this issue...
Audit Safety Providers named
Fox Glacier plane crash – government signals changes
Managing the drugs and alcohol hazard
Activity Safety Guidelines
Maritime New Zealand
Qualifications
Collaborating on safety
The Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE) has released an update providing information for operators about early registration commencing this month and the names of the organisations recognised to provide safety audits.
MBIE has granted recognition as an auditor provider to:
- Bureau Veritas (New Zealand) Ltd
- Outdoors New Zealand
- Verification New Zealand Ltd
The update includes audit provider contact details and the scope of adventure activities that they may audit. Outdoors NZ Chief Executive Garth Dawson says OutdoorsMark, the national outdoor safety audit programme managed by Outdoors NZ, is the only audit programme approved to audit all of the 17 activities used as examples under the Adventure Activities Regulations 2011. Read the Outdoors NZ media release. If your activity is not listed under the Adventure Activities Regulations 2011, you should still check the criteria for adventure to determine whether or not you are covered under the regulations. Either way, an audit of your business reflects good industry practice.
Early registration schedule
The update includes a timetable showing when operators will be required to initiate a safety audit. This is crucial information. Please read the update to see what requirements apply to you.
Are you ready for an audit?
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Photo: Serious Fun River Surfing |
Take action now and ensure you are ready for your audit. The SupportAdventure website has practical information to help you prepare:
- Read the audit standard
- For each area in the audit standard, go to the safety management systems section on the SupportAdventure website and check that your operation is at or above the industry benchmark.
- Use the checklists to look for gaps and strengths in your system. See the emergency management checklist. Encourage your staff to share their thoughts and use the checklists.
Prime Minister John Key has said the Government is likely to implement safety changes recommended by an inquest into the Fox Glacier plane crash - and is considering random drug and alcohol testing for adventure aviation operators. Read more.
Nine people died in September 2010 when the Walter Fletcher FU24 aircraft crashed into a paddock, shortly after take-off. Coroner Richard McElrea recommended passenger restraints for tandem parachuting flights in New Zealand during take off and climb be "urgently considered". Read the Coroner’s Report, TIA's media release and blog.
Do you know what your obligations are relating to managing the drugs and alcohol hazard in your operation? Are you doing what you are required to?
These guidelines outline the government’s expectations around managing the drugs and alcohol risk, including policy and procedure options to manage the hazard (page 7). Use the guidelines to check whether your operation is doing everything required, and to make any necessary changes.
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Photo: Deep Canyon |
Last month’s official launch of the first three Activity Safety Guidelines – canyoning, caving and climbing on artificial structures (indoor rock climbing) - featured in the media, including TV, print and radio. The ASGs outline what technical experts currently consider to be good practice for managing safety in a particular activity. To find out more about the ASGs visit the SupportAdventure website.
Indoor rock climbing ASG – crucial change
An updated version of the indoor rock climbing ASG will be online soon, incorporating feedback from the month-long public consultation and the recent industry symposium in Palmerston North.
A crucial change will be the recommendation that top rope climbers are attached with two points of contact. Thanks to everyone who supplied feedback. Keep an eye on the SupportAdventure website for the update.
ASGs under development
Meetings have been held with Abseiling, Quad-biking and Heli-skiing ASG working groups in the last month, with more meetings planned throughout May. The first meeting of the High Wire Crossing ASG working group will be later this month.
Sectors without ASGs
Groups without ASGs or other guidelines should talk with your peers and ensure that you are operating at industry good practice and that safety information is being shared. Use suitably competent staff, and use nationally recognised qualifications wherever possible.
Work is continuing on the Wanganui river guidelines with a user group meeting scheduled for later this month.
 | Shotover Jet
Photo: Murray Lloyd |
Michael-Paul Abbott is now the Maritime NZ Rafting Auditor. He is prioritising audits for those operators who were given a temporary operating exemption. Marty Black continues to audit jet boat operators.
Auditor qualifications
Skills Active has now confirmed a qualification will be developed for adventure activity auditors. Click here for more information.
Qualifications review - TROQ
Work is progressing on the targeted review of qualifications for our sector. Consultation on the first draft has closed and feedback will be incorporated into the next draft. Click here for more information about the qualification and the review process.
Hamilton/Waikato annual regional tourism conference – 13 May 2013
This conference will feature a session on adventure safety facilitated by TIA Adventure & Outdoor Project Leader Rachael Moore. Click here for more information.
The World Outdoors Summit 2013 – 18-22 November
This international conference will be hosted by Outdoors New Zealand in Rotorua, 18 -22 November 2013. The theme is the value of the outdoors to society. To be notified by email as soon as registrations open please email register@wos2013.com
The Great Adventure – 10 May 2013
The Great Adventure took place in Wellington on Friday, 10 May. This national forum brought together adventure and outdoor tourism leaders to share their experience and contribute to building a strong, unified and prosperous sector. Click here for more information.
Outdoors NZ Road Shows
Over 110 people attended the Safety Management System (SMS) Workshops across New Zealand as part of the Outdoors NZ Roadshow in March and April. Attendees were given guidance on developing a comprehensive and effective safety management system, an update on the drugs and alcohol amendment and insight into the audit standard. Attendees also had the opportunity to brainstorm, share experiences and network with other operators.
Outdoors NZ will be hosting more of these updates and workshops around the country on a regular basis. You can be notified of future SMS Workshops by signing up here. Click here for more info on developing effective SMS.
Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC)
Nationwide workshops are finished, however you can access the online self-paced learning modules at www.trainingservice.org.nz or email training.services@minedu.govt.nz for more information.
The modules lead participants through the EOTC Guidelines to provide education outside the classroom opportunities, introduce planning and safety principles, examine current best practice and introduce a systems-based approach to address individual school needs.
Autumn is the perfect time to take stock of all the changes taking place in the adventure and outdoor sector and ensure your operation’s is operating at or above the legal health and safety requirements and is audit ready. Make good use of the SupportAdventure website. It has loads of useful, practical information and checklists developed by industry, for industry.
Rachael and Garth
Rachael Moore, TIA Adventure & Outdoor Project Leader, email rachael.moore@tianz.org.nz, phone 04 495 0817 mobile 021 0225 2497, www.tianz.org.nz/
Garth Dawson, Outdoors NZ Chief Executive, email ce@outdoors.org.nz, phone 04 385 7287, www.outdoorsnz.org.nz/
(Main photo Old Ghost Road, by Gareth Eyres)
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