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Safety warning issued to adventure activity organisers

19 August 2008

Companies that organise adventure activities need to ensure their staff have been given the appropriate training, it has been claimed.

Steve Gill, inspector at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), said it is "important to remember" that the sector has generally achieved a high level of risk assessment and management.

However, Kingswood Learning and Leisure Group of Norwich were fined this week for breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

In April, an eight-year-old boy sustained injuries after falling from a climbing wall while on a school trip to the Kingswood Activity Centre in West Runton.

Mr Gill said the accident could have been avoided if the company had followed safety procedures correctly and its staff had been properly trained.

"Instead, a child was injured and spent ten weeks in plaster, largely confined to a wheelchair and another ten weeks on crutches," he explained.

However, the inspector said such adventure activities are "fun, healthy and provide experience and education" and one incident does not undermine the sector's "good track record".

Kingswood claims its health and safety policy has been written to meet the requirements of current legislation and is on display in the receptions of each of its centres.

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