The Outward Bound Trust

An overview of safety arrangements

We've been a world leader in adventure education since 1941. In the UK alone we work with more than 24,000 participants a year across four residential centres, plus a number of outreach projects in central Scotland. We provide memorable adventures with the highest levels of safety. In fact, we're the industry benchmark of good practice.

In this section you'll find the key documents relating to our safety practices. If you're thinking about using our services but want more information than you can find here, we'd be happy to meet with you at one of our centres.

Call us on 01931 740000 to arrange a visit. Or email read This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Our specialist Risk Management Committee oversees the comprehensive safeguards that are in place to protect participants and staff. The committee is chaired by Iain Peter.

Our many safety protocols include ones for:

-  Authorising staff as competent to lead activities
- Screening participants for medical conditions that might affect their safety
- Monitoring the quality of equipment and structures such as ropes courses
- Recording and analysing any accidents, near misses, illnesses and behavioural incidents
- Completing risk assessments for all significant activities
- Defining appropriate emergency responses
- Undertaking a regular and comprehensive review of our operations

Our approach to safety goes beyond hard issues such as the strength of climbing ropes. We also consider vital matters such as effective child protection policies and, for staff, the ability to defuse rather than inflame conflict. Many of our staff are actively involved in outdoor activities, in mountain rescue or in the RNLI.

Risk Management Committee

This group exists to monitor risk management at The Trust. The committee meets twice yearly and the Chairman reports directly to the Trustees.

Chair - Iain Peter, an accomplished mountaineer & former Chief Executive of Mountain Training Trust
Medical Adviser - Dr Theo Weston, GP and Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team Doctor
Alan Williams - Director, Plas Menai, The National Watersports Centre
Lol Collins - a paddle sports specialist and Head of Canoeing at Plas y Brenin
Dr Nick Gair - a published author on adventure education topics
The Outward Bound Trust's Chief Executive and Director of Adventure & Learning
The Heads of each Outward Bound Centre

Adventure Activities Licensing Service

All our operations are licensed as necessary by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) with the following reference numbers:

For more information visit the AALA website at www.aals.org/providers.php (keying in 'Outward Bound' and following the links).

Main activities undertaken:

Please note: not all activities are available at all locations.

Principal control systems

* Supervision by managers, overview by Risk Management Committee, safety reviews, safety adviser, external agencies such as AALS
* Written safety policy, safety rules, safety guidance to staff, emergency procedures
* Recording and analysis of incidents
* Staff recruitment, screening, induction, training, authorisation, monitoring
* Participant medical screening, briefing, pastoral care
* Regular checks of critical safety equipment

Safety reviews

We're committed to the continuous improvement of our safety practices. Every two years a team of experts reviews safety practices at each centre, examining all systems and observing activities in progress. Observations are made in response to a defined list of questions and the result is a full report with recommendations.

Staff authorisation

All instructional staff hold first aid certificates. Most hold National Governing Body qualifications. These do not exist for all activities. However, we operate an internal system, 'passing out', that authorises staff based on their competence. Staff not holding external qualifications are restricted to certain locations. The system is summarised in the Passing Out manual.

Risk assessment

We undertake general, site-specific and seasonal risk assessments. Each centre holds a daily meeting at which plans for the day are considered in light of prevailing conditions, make-up of the participant group and risk involved. We undertake a special national review when an area of particular concern is identified.  If you would like further information, please contact us on 01931 740000.

Incident records

We comply with RIDDOR 95 (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995). We also have a comprehensive in-house system of recording and analysing incidents, including:

* Accidents
* Illnesses
* Pre-existing injuries
* Near misses
* Behavioural incidents

In 2010 during 128,370 activity days we recorded a total of 672 incidents, of which 2 were listed in the 'serious' category. Only one of these involved significant accidental injury to a participant who fell from a ladder stile and broke his forearm.  We believe these results compare very favourably to the everyday risks to which all young people are exposed. We investigate thoroughly all incidents judged to be serious.