Risk Management, Safety & Liability - Recent Threads

Does your Program Have a Road Crossing Protocol? Should it?

Rick Curtis — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 02:52:35 GMT

I posted a new Risk Management Blog about Road Crossing Protocols. Let me know what you think about including this as part of your risk management plan.

[Please visit the site to access the poll]

staff and risks for them - can't find a category for this post

carolynb — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:32:29 GMT

I spent a number of years working in outdoor adventure. It was fun, hard work, I burned out on occasion and now I am paying the price...

1) Overuse of our bodies can and does come back to haunt us in our 50's and beyond (and for some people when they are younger). I carried way too much weight in backpacks, canoes plus packs, etc. and now my joints are paying the price. They can tell who was a slave in ancient Egypt based on how their bones and joints were trashed. While we were not slaves, we do tend to carry around way too much weight, over use our bodies on occasion (well often actually), get injured in ways that can come back to haunt us (a canoe trailer tongue on my left knee, with a chipped bone and damaged but not completely torn cartilage comes to mind and the current left knee problems I am having that can be traced back to that; x-country skiing on two broken toes -broken on the job- so I could keep my job and issues with them now also come to mind).

2) Exposure to bat and mice dung... Both can cause diseases in humans. Some lie dormant. I now test positive for Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus. I have had *** cancer twice (once on each side) and now follicular lymphoma. That virus has been implicated in both kinds of cancer (*** and non hodgkin's lymphoma of which there are a number of kinds), especially when you have had both. Memories of mice running over me sleeping in the mouth of a cave, or mice in our food, our living quarters on a regular basis come to mind as possible exposure points.

3) Excess sun exposure causes skin cancer, earlier cataracts...

4) Chronic under nutrition in some portion of each month, including insufficient veggies, not enough calcium, etc. as students mismanage food, what we pack due to storage/weight issues doesn't completely meet nutritional standards... The insufficient calcium is going to haunt people later as the 20' and 30's are the prime time to build bone density and while weight bearing exercise does this you ALSO need enough calcium in your diet. While it won't hurt a student to do this for 3 or 4 weeks, it can hurt staff to do this month after month. Chronic under nutrition, even when mild, causes other problems.

5) Risk of poverty in your old age - Outdoor programs need to help staff plan for retirement. The pay is so poor that saving for retirement while you are doing this seems out of reach. The consequences are living in poverty when you are older. You can't get back time and how that contributes to the growth of retirement savings. Low pay also means lower social security payouts at the other end.

6) Lack of health insurance while working as an instructor. This means we are less likely to treat problems and that may haunt us later.

When we are younger our bodies can tolerate a lot of abuse. Our jobs are generally fun. The problem is that these things can come back to haunt us later. Programs need to have a risk plan for staff that includes taking into consideration these issues.

Carolyn

Keeping medical forms

Genevieve Marchand — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 21:11:32 GMT

I am trying to figure out what is the best thing to do with medical forms after a course. When it comes to informed consents, we keep them for 7 years. How about medical forms, should we be holding on to those as well?

Thanks

Gen

Electronic Signatures on Medical Forms and Releases

ZSchmesser — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:17:41 GMT

I am wondering if anyone is currently using electronic signatures on Medical Forms and Releases?

Thanks

Zach

Building a "Porthole" or "Rebirth"

Jenn — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:02:55 GMT

The challenge course I work at is planning to add some additional challenge course elements to our low ropes course. One of the elements we are planning to build is an element called “Porthole.” I have also heard it called “Rebirth”, “Hole in Space” and “Born Again.” The element consists of a tire suspended in between two trees by 4 cables. I have come across some difficulty in finding technical specifications or standards for its construction. I was wondering if anyone had any specific building instructions that you would recommend. If it is not possible for you to divulge your company’s building practices, I would appreciate it if you could point me in a direction where I could find this information. Thank you for your time. I really appreciate it. The information I do have for building this element is a little confusing and vague. I am mostly interested in how large the two trees have to be and what is the proper distance between the two trees, but any and all information is helpful.

Whisperlite Safety Resources

Keith Crawford — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 17:45:35 GMT

Does anyone have any specific protocols/practices/procedures etc. for the use of whisperlites? I typically use Trangias but am hoping to use whisperlites on an upcoming course and was hoping to see what type of documentation is out there. Anything you have would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Gear in vans

Leigh Jackson-Magennis — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:28:50 GMT

I am interested to hear what other folks are doing in regard to containing equipment in 15 passenger vans, SUVs, and trucks. More specifically, I am hoping to find some sort of webbing or constraints for our program gear when traveling to and from programs, so that it would not fly around inside the vehicle in a minor -or major-accident.

Any advise you have is appreciated.

Leigh Jackson-Magennis

Managing Communication Techology in the Wilderness

DrewLeemon — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:57:17 GMT

At the Wilderness Risk Management Conference earlier this month we held a forum on the topic of managing communication technology on outdoor/wilderness adventure progrrams. This was an opportunity to discuss among a group of colleagues who is using this technology, who is not, what devices are being used, the successes and challenges of using this technnology, how it is being managed and the issue of student/participant use of personal communication and entertainment technology. A summary of the disscussion of this 90-minute forum that was attended by about 60 people can be found on the WRMC website <http://www.nols.edu/wrmc/resources.shtml>

Outdoor Education, Email, Social Networking, and Minors...

Lindsay Watkins — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:48:09 GMT

Hi All- I work for an organization that offers Environmental and Outdoor Education programs for youth. We are currently in the process of building our online presence on sites like Facebook and as yet, do not have policies for staff regarding online communication with minors (either through email or sites like Facebook). Does anyone out there work for an organization that would be willing to share your policies on staff communication with minors? Any feedback/ideas/etc. would be most helpful!

Risk management Plan

Keith McCallister — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 05:32:04 GMT

I am wondering if anyone knows of a location on the web to find examples or good insights on creating a solid and thorough risk management plan for college programs. We do not have a full, complete plan, but more of many guidelines in different places, I want to put together a full plan with activity guidelines.

Keith McCallister

Program Director

Current Sanitation Practices in the field

smallwood — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:19:05 GMT

Hey all,

Just doing some research for my employer, reviewing our sanitation practices and looking into what other organizations are doing. If any of you have time to quickly respond to the following questions, that would be super helpful!

What are your policies regarding handwashing & kitchen cleanup on wilderness trips? What method(s) are you using for defecation (i.e. catholes, wag bags, etc)? Do you use (or allow the use of) toilet paper on trips and, if so, how do you dispose of it?

The context we are coming from are short, 3-6 day backpacking trips in the Colorado Rockies. Any information you can provide would be most helpful!

Thanks,

Amy Smallwood

Adventure Program Director

Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting & Adventure Company

David Brashears' Storm Over Everest - a Risk Management Case Study

Rick Curtis — Mon, 19 May 2008 01:26:03 GMT

If you missed the spectacular documentary by David Brashear's on the 1996 Everest tragedy you can watch the full two hour episode online at Frontline. There are also interviews with expedition members and interactive maps of the mountain and the accident. The documentary is a fantastic case study in risk management, judgment and decision making and is highly recommended as a staff training tool.

Criminal History Background Investigations

Kurt Merrill — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 18:30:20 GMT

I am in the process of preparing for a conference presentation and I wanted to pick your collective brains.

1) For programs/organizations that work with minors (defined here as under 18), do all programs conduct criminal background investigations? I guess I am looking for a percentage of companies that do and don't.

2) Further, for organizations that work with minors, do you complete background investigations on all staff or just staff in direct contact (e.g., leaders)? Is the screening criteria the same?

3) Are there any programs here that are impacted by Homeland Security Presidential Directive -12 (HSPD-12)?

4) Are there any programs here that are affected by the Corporation for National Service's (AmeriCorps) new ruling requiring criminal history background checks on all AmeriCorps Ed. award recipients? If so, are you screening ONLY for the Corporation's single disqualifying offense or have you established other/additional disqualifying offenses?

In advance, thanks for your help.

Kurt

Insulin Pumps

Ian Hughes — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:11:18 GMT

I recently lead a challenge course training and ran into something I had not encountered. I had a staff member who wears an insulin pump and it came out while he was on the high course. The harness pulled out the infuser. I know that pumps are becoming more popular and I wonder if anyone else has come across this and has addressed it in medical releases or some other way?

Ian

Solo-Hiking

maxhuber — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:55:48 GMT

Hi there. My name is Max Huber and I am on the Steering Committee of the Harvard First-year Outdoor Program (FOP). We send out six day backpacking trips throughout the back country of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont in the fall of each year for the purpose of orienting first-years. Right now I'm doing some research towards refining our program's policy on conducting solo hikes on our fall trips and it would be very helpful to hear about similar programs' approaches. Do other college orientation programs have a specific policy or guideline dictating the use of solo-hiking on trips? We would love to hear about it!

Thank you,

- Max Huber

RE: The 'NKOTB'- the PCIA

John Jacobs — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:24:02 GMT

Hello, all - I am curious about your impressions of the new accrediting organization, the 'Professional Climbing Instructor's Association'. (http://pcia.us/pro/) I am quite familiar with the genesis of this new organization, the players involved, and the reasons for their formation. Though this is a very new organization, I am curious about:

*Do you think this association is useful, and will serve a need in the outdoor industry?

*Is it likely to be useful for your program - will it serve your needs?

* Are the Land Manager's in your area likely to accept it?

*Would you accept it as a viable certification?

_________________________________________

John Jacobs
Adventure Risk Management
PO Box 1160
Idyllwild, California 92549
www.adventureriskmanagement.com
jjacobs@adventureriskmanagement.com
951.659.4090
951.659.4091 fax
Adventure, Smarter.

Accreditation

Ian Hughes — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 18:33:09 GMT

I am looking for organizations that are accrediting bodies in the broad field of Outdoor Education. Off the top of my head I can think of: AEE, AMGA, ACampA, ACanoeA, ACCT. Who else am I not thinking of?

Ian

HIPAA & Program Participants

Dave Miller — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:18:45 GMT

I'm looking for information on regulations on disclosure of participant medical information to wilderness trip leaders. I have battled school nurses and doctors that medical information is necessary for trip leaders and they fall into the category of need to know. Given the small size of our industry when it comes to laws such as HIPAA it is very unclear and seems to be interpreted differently based on who I speak with. Does anyone have any info on the actual interpretation when it comes to adventure education and disclosure of information to wilderness trip leaders?

Liability Insurance

Stephen Wagner — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 21:18:52 GMT

I'm searching for information on liability insurance for outdoor adventures/experiences that could be obtained on an "event by event" basis; ie, not annual premium. Any leads would be appreciated

Re: University Adventure EducationResearch

Jason Zaurs — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 23:59:13 GMT

Sorry, I am out of the College toThursday 1 November. If you require assistance with any urgent matter please contact NeilCollins on 9313 9333.

Wilderness Risk Management Conference Blogs

Rick Curtis — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 05:15:24 GMT

Check out my Blogs on the Wilderness Risk Management Conference at http://www.outdoored.com/Community/blogs/default.aspx?GroupID=13

Rick

RE: Industry Standards onstaff-to-client ratio

Rick Curtis — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:39:07 GMT

Henry's AEE Industry standards are really helpful guidelines, but they also must be looked at as guidelines rather than hard and fast rules and I would treat them as minimum standards. For example, the idea that you would go out on a multi-day backpacking Therapeutic Adventure program with just one staff member for 6-8 participants is just not how therapeutic programs operate. These ratios must be evaluated in terms of your client population, the skills of your staff, the remoteness of the location and a variety of other factors.

Rick Curtis

Re: Industry Standards onstaff-to-client ratio

Mike Barker — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 08:34:08 GMT

I have seen many supervisory ratios listed over the years for thesetypes of trips, commonly a minimum of 2 staff were always required. Thisis to address emergency needs (also general liability with youth ormixed groups) where in the event of an emergency to a staff member therewould still be a "guide", also if an emergency occurred where one staffmember had to leave to seek assistance another would be available toremain with the group. In alpine and mountain guiding it is also commonto have two staff however it is not always the case with 1 or 2clients.I do not know of any published standards with the exception ofindividual associations, e.g. Boy and Girl scouts, Girl Guides, etc. Youth Safe Outdoors in Canada has been working on a "standard" forschools (BC, Alberta, etc) including using some research to help developa tool to determine staffing levels based on the activity. (This is theclosest thing to a published standard that I have seen that extendsbeyond internal usage.)The ultimate staffing decision still must be based on a thorough riskmanagement assessment including applicable "duty to care" and"reasonable person" considerations. As participants and staff knowledgeand experience levels vary from trip to trip I don't think that anyonewill ever commit to a "standard". It will be left to the outfittersthemselves to make a considered judgement and live with theirdecision.Michael A.P. BarkerRisk ManagerCity of New Haven, CT. USATele: (203) 946-8299Fax: (203) 946-6755>>> bounce-jsimmons13@outdoored.com 10/5/2007 5:12:42 PM >>>So its been an accepted item that most programs use a 1-4 or 1-5 ratiofor overnight backcountry trips- however my question stems from whathappens if you only have 2, I have always utilized the standard thatalways send 2 staff no matter what- but is this a documented number? Isthere a published industry standard? Does anyone have any published industry standards? --View this message online at:http://www.outdoored.com/Community/forums/p/260/312.aspx#312 --

Industry Standards on staff-to-client ratio

jsimmons13 — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:08:41 GMT

So its been an accepted item that most programs use a 1-4 or 1-5 ratio for overnight backcountry trips- however my question stems from what happens if you only have 2, I have always utilized the standard that always send 2 staff no matter what- but is this a documented number? Is there a published industry standard?

Does anyone have any published industry standards?

Rock fall zone for climbing sites?

AndrewJillings — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:34:21 GMT

Hello,

Anyone have any guidelines or standards for establishing a 'rock fall zone', 'helmet zone' or 'safety zone' around the base of a top rope site? Yes, I know it depends on many things, like slope, height of cliff, tree cover, etc etc, but any basic calculation would be of help while I review my top rope P & P

Thanks all

Andrew