Technical Advice

Background

The Activity Centres (Young Persons’ Safety) Act 1995 came into being after the Lyme Bay canoeing tragedy. All centres and organisations providing certain outdoor activities on a commercial basis for young people (under 18s) had to apply for a licence by 1st August 1996, and all applicants were first inspected by 1st October 1997. Paragraph 16 of ‘Guidance to the Licensing Authority on the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996’ states: The licensing authority should look for evidence that management of safety is in the hands of, or effectively advised by, one or more competent people with sufficient knowledge of safety matters in relation to the facilities for adventure activities covered by the licence.

The Role of the Technical Adviser

Why Use a Consultant?

Many organisations do not have a suitably qualified and experienced person on their staff to take on the role of Technical Adviser for some activities, and therefore choose to use a Consultant.

How Does It Work In Practice?

Many organisations do not have a suitably qualified and experienced person on their staff to take on the role of Technical Adviser for some activities, and therefore choose to use a Consultant.

  1. You contact us using one of the methods suggested at the bottom of this page, and we discuss your specific needs.
  2. You send us your written safety management policies, together with a copy of your most recent licence application
  3. Feedback is given on the above.
  4. Once the relationship has been established, a contract of agreement will be provided, and the first visit will be arranged. Each visit will be one day in length, and will be charged at £220 per day, plus 45p per mile. The frequency of visits is entirely up to you.
  5. The main areas covered by the consultancy are:
    Staffing
    To advise on appropriate qualifications for activities
    To assess staff competence in the absence of NGB qualifications
    Training
    To identify staff training needs and priorities
    To provide in-house training as required, including SPA and MLA
    To monitor in-house training
    Operations
    To advise on the establishment of safety procedures
    To monitor and review safety procedures
    To advise on activity venues
    Equipment
    To advise on purchase and use of equipment
    To monitor equipment maintenance and replacement procedures
    General
    To advise on MLTE policy
    To assist with inspection visits as required
  6. The emphasis will be on looking at your ways of working and giving advice, rather than suggesting set methods.
  7. A written report will be given after each visit, with recommendations on policies and procedures.