IDENTIFYING AND MINIMISING RISKS There will always be some risk associated to running any type of excursion. What matters is that you manage that risk in the best possible way to protect tourists against unnecessary dangers. A Z Key Term
Assessing risks is about identifying risks, and prioritising these risks according to their level of danger. It also involves deciding how the risk should be minimised and if the risk is worth taking or not.
How do I assess risks? Dangers are usually graded as high, medium or low according to: 1) how likely they are to happen 2) the type of injury they generate What do I need to do? You need to complete a risk assessment form (see next page). Most tour operators or ground handlers will have their own forms, which can be very detailed. These will only be used once they show interest in your excursion.
Safety - ensure the safety and wellbeing of our customers, staff and suppliers at all times. Safety is the over-riding factor when making any operational decision.
Ensure the safety of all our clients, whilst maintaining a spirit of adventure.
Helpful Tips
The rating of the danger will greatly depend on the type of tourists (e.g. age, level of fitness, level of expertise) participating in the excursion. This means that you might need to have more than one risk assessment form per activity
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Accident on Excursion In St Lucia Mr Clayton and Mrs Richardson had purchased a package holiday to St. Lucia and at their welcome meeting, they decided to book a jeep safari excursion which included a walk to a waterfall in the rain forest. This involved crossing a deep and fast flowing river. They were encouraged to cross the river in twos by the guide who was with them and, as they did so, they were both swept away by the force of the river and sustained injury. Mrs Richardson sustained a head injury, injury to her left ribs, bruising to her arms, body and legs and psychological symptoms including a fear of water. Mr Clayton sustained bruising to both arms, a tear of the biseps muscle, a tear of the tendons in both elbows and cuts and bruises to both forearms and wrists, together with cuts and bruises to both legs. Mr Clayton also suffered psychological injury.
Our first and single biggest objective is the reduction of risk to health and safety as far as is practically possible.
Remember that no amount of forms replaces sheer common sense! Helpful Tips
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