HOW DO I KNOW HOW SAFE MY PROGRAMME IS? He manga wai koia kia kore e whitikia An effective means of determining programme safety is to carry out a comprehensive programme review against accepted best practice. Three ways of accomplishing this are set out below. Organisations should consider incorporating all three types of review into their SMS.
Self review In a self review, key members of an outdoor organisation – those people responsible for safety management – check the organisation’s systems, operations, practices and equipment. The aim is to assess whether they meet specified standards, using a standardised safety management checklist. Findings will assist the organisation to set priorities for improving their safety systems over time and will affirm the areas they have well covered. It is recommended that organisations carry out an annual self review.
Peer review In a peer review, an outdoor organisation invites representatives of one or more similar organisations, and perhaps MBIE, to assess the extent to which the programme meets specified standards, using a standardised safety management checklist. The representatives need to be familiar with programme activities and management practices. The peers responsible for the review will identify good practice and make recommendations for improving safety management. It is recommended that organisations undergo a peer review every two or three years.
External reviews In an external review, an outdoor organisation’s governing body employs a suitably qualified safety reviewer to carry out a safety assessment of the programme. The process usually involves audit criteria being negotiated between the two parties, and an agreement by the outdoor organisation to implement any recommendations made. It is recommended that organisations undergo an external review at least every five years, depending on the extent of the programme. It is a good idea to seek an external safety review after a serious incident. This review may focus on a specific activity or the programme in general. A number of suitable checklists are available to assist outdoor organisations with self and peer reviews, and to help them prepare for an external review, for example, the checklists available on www.supportadventure.co.nz, and the Health and Safety Management Systems Assessment Checklist, available from www.mbie.govt.nz/
112
The content in this publication may not be up to date. This publication is available to you for historical purposes.