One of the resolutions adopted at an Annual General Meeting in 1999 was that each Outward Bound center would have a Safety Committee to oversee risk management of the activities of the center.  The intent of the resolution was to: -

• Ensure oversight of those responsible for running programs
• Involve expertise from outside the center to get fresh perspective
• Ensure the Board of a center realized their responsibility for safety

During safety reviews the team inquires about how the Safety Committee works and there have been some interesting variations observed. : -

UK
The Safety Committee is chaired by a very prominent individual, Sir Chris Bonnington - arguably the most successful mountaineer and expedition leader of recent years.  He brings credibility with the public as well as effective management skills.  Other skills on the Safety Committee are a physician with an interest in medical care in remote settings and a lawyer.  The senior staff of the centers are represented by two people and the independent Safety Manager, Bob Barton is the convener and organizer of meetings.

USA
Each of the eight OB centers has a board committee that is made up of volunteers.  The Chairman of each committee is a board member but other members need not be.  Staff is not members of the committee but help set the agenda with the Chairman.  Skills typically sought include medical and legal expertise as well as public relations skills for managing emergency response and media relations.  Some center have mental health professionals on the Safety Committee to support staff and participants in the event of a major traumatic event and all centers have resources to provide this support if needed.The National Safety Committee meets annually to review the work of each Safety Committee and formulate national policies and areas foundation focus.

Singapore
The Safety Committee is comprised mostly of medical experts.  They review each significant medical incident to look at how effective was the treatment and how the incident could have been prevented.

Australia
The Safety Committee was almost exclusively made up of operational staff representing various levels of the organization.  This does help get concerns voiced from the field perspective.  The new Board Chairperson is bringing in outside expertise to ensure that external standards are fully considered and that the linkages with standard setting bodies are maintained.

Germany
The Safety Committee had become inactive and coordination was bing done by the center directors meeting periodically with an individual appointed as safety coordinator for the five centers.  Following a recent safety review a new Safety Committee is being formed, chaired by a Board member, with the following skills: -

·        Medical Doctor
·        Lawyer
·        Risk management specialist
·        Senior Program staff of each Center
·        Activity experts from outside Outward Bound

Several center still are putting together their Safety Committee in response to he recommendation adopted three years ago.  Click Here for some helpful Terms of Reference for Safety Committees.

Ian Wade

June 2, 2002

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