2020 has been a strange year, to say the least. I can't help but be impressed by the resilience of the New Zealand adventure activity sector. As soon as lockdown first hit, we were the pinch point between operators and WorkSafe and JAS-ANZ, trying to ensure operators could maintain certification, during lockdown and then in planning for this busy recertification period. 
As difficult and challenging as it was, it was heartening to hear from so many of you who had managed to find innovative ways to keep your businesses going through such tough times, from modifying activities to better suit the Kiwi market, to starting landscaping side-hustles to bolster income.

We've had some good learnings from audits, too:
 
Gregory Smith, a respected health and safety author writes: "For most organisations, the biggest source of legal liability is the level of non-compliance with their own documented procedures". We've definitely noticed that, as a Safety Management System evolves, it can easily lead to different sections specifying different requirements, leaving your staff unable to adhere to one or the other. It's important that a SMS is clear and succinct, so that staff are clear on their requirements. Duplication can lead to deviation.

Keep up-to-date with practicing emergency procedures. Most emergency test reports we've seen have recorded good learning opportunities which have led to improving emergency plans. If you don't test your plans properly, you could miss out on these learning opportunities. Talk to other operators, Coastguard, LandSAR, etc about their procedures. A real emergency is NOT the time to practice.

Sensible goals and objectives a a good idea. Think about Sensible, Measurable, Appropriate, Timebound (SMART) objectives that help you achieve your safety goals. Some good objectives include: Streamlining the SMS by removing redundant forms and duplication; Renewing 1st aid quals with an outdoor-specific course that is more appropriate for the location of activities; Engaging with other operators in the sector as external technical advisors (TA) to update currency in the wider industry. 

Understand the requirements of the Safety Audit Standard for Adventure Activities. Stay up-to-date with the legislation, guidelines and bylaws relevant to your region and activities. If you're adhering to this document, you're well on the way to following good industry practice.

Continual improvement is real. The argument that "we've been doing it like this for 15 years and nothing has changed" is unsound. With this thinking internal combustion engines would never have replaced steam-power, which would never have replaced the original horse-power. We've never been as well-informed as we are today - and tomorrow we'll have more information to use to make our staff and participants safer than before. Opportunities to improve our activities and safety should be continuously sought.

Season's greetings and best wishes for 2021 to all.