Voluntary guidelines for conducting safer outdoor recreation activities
Development has started on Australia’s first national set of outdoor safety standards – the Australian Adventure Activity Standards (AAS). Outdoors Victoria are driving the project supported by a steering committee made up of representatives from around the country with the first new AAAS expected by mid 2017.
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Development of the AAAS will involve combining and streamlining the current state standards into the inaugural national standard, while consulting with the outdoor community to ensure the national standards represent best practice.
Murray Stewart, Chair of the Outdoor Council of Australia, said “Standards shouldn’t change just because you cross a border. This new national approach will ensure everyone has a clear direction on how to achieve the highest safety standards and deliver the best possible experience for participants in outdoor activities across Australia.”
Chuck Berger, CEO of Outdoors Victoria, said “A national set of standards is more efficient and effective than a state-by-state approach, so we’ll be able to reduce red tape while improving safety outcomes. This is great news for nature-based tourism, outdoor education, and outdoor recreation groups and businesses, as well as participants themselves.”
Further information about the Australian AAS is available at www.australianaas.org.au and the AAAS FAQ Flyer
Contact:
Australian AAS Steering Committee Chair, Chuck Berger – 0417 447 599, or
QORF Executive Officer, Dom Courtney – 0419 976 800
Adventure Activity Standards (AAS) are minimum, voluntary guidelines for organisations conducting outdoor recreation activities where the participants are dependent on the activity provider.
The AAS were developed to promote:
The AAS are NOT statutory standards by law. In Queensland, legal liability for injuries or property damage is primarily governed by the law of Contract and Negligence which are described within each AAS introduction.
Example AAS Cover
The AAS provide an opportunity for those who lead and participate in outdoor activities to have an opportunity to be appropriately informed of the responsibilities, duty of care and legal expectations they should meet. Further they help to guide knowledge of the appropriate duty of care required for self, others and the environment.
Standards are embraced by those who seek excellence in their operations. The priority for such people is quality programming and good service to clients – not the avoidance of litigation. Standards may be seen as a threat by those who are not so careful and choose not to learn what others consider desirable practices
(Charles Gregg , OSI)
Click to download:
Management of Outdoor Activities for Severe Weather Conditions (Source: Outdoors Victoria)
Management of Outdoor Activities for Severe Weather Conditions (PDF Download)
AAS on the OCA website – view AAS from other states in Australia
Do Industry Standards Increase Our Liability?
There is anxiety in some quarters about the role of standards in our professional lives. Otherwise intelligent folks are, apparently sincerely, questioning whether standards are good for the industry. The anxiety is fueled in large part by a blog manager who wants us to believe that standards are dangerous because they provide a blueprint to an adversary in the event of litigation. In other words, his readers are advised, it’s best to pass up the chance to learn what others in the industry consider acceptable practices because you might violate those practices and be accountable for doing so. (Are you following this?)
Source
Charles “Reb” Gregg
Outdoor Safety Institute
As living documents, the AAS will require updates. If you identify any errors, or have suggestions on how the QAAS might be improved we are keen to hear from you. Please send your comments to industry@qorf.org.au
QORF welcomes applications for new Community and Green Circle Members from organisations and individuals involved in the outdoors
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