Raleigh International is proud of the safety culture that permeates everything we do.
Our primary focus is on prevention, however, accidents do still occasionally happen and our planning processes take this into account.
Raleigh has a robust Crisis Management Plan, which is updated and exercised regularly. Comprehensive risk assessments, casualty evacuation and emergency plans are produced for each overseas programme, for every project site, and cover all eventualities from natural disasters and political instability to the individual medical incident.
Head office also provides 24 hour emergency cover and support for each expedition.
Based on 23 years of experience Raleigh has also developed its own Safety Manual which governs the standards and safety procedures to be followed on each overseas expedition.
As a leading provider of expeditions Raleigh was asked to represent the Year Out Group in developing the new British Standard (BS8848: Specification for the provisions of visits, fieldwork, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the United Kingdom) which was formally launched at the end of April. Having completed a thorough audit we have self-assessed and certified ourselves as BS8848 compliant. In the near future we will be seeking an independent assessment to ratify our compliance.
We consult with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly and maintain close links with the British Authorities in each country. In addition we have established good relations with Government ministries and agents locally, enabling us to receive early warning of any potential problems.
Raleigh also has established links with the local medical services, emergency services and, where appropriate the military, all of whom can provide assistance to Raleigh if required.
Formal risk assessments are undertaken before the start of each expedition, firstly for the expedition as a whole and then at project site level. Participants also do their own risk assessment while on project site. We believe that involving everyone in drawing up these risk assessments promotes a vigilant attitude to safety, and ownership by the group of safety procedures.
Comprehensive emergency and evacuation plans are put in place for each project site, and volunteer managers visit and assess all the local medical facilities. If repatriation to the UK or an individual's home nation is required, then Raleigh retains the services of a UK Repatriation service.
Raleigh is unique in the number of qualified doctors and nurses we recruit for each programme. There could be up to nine fully qualified volunteer medics with each programme.
We pay close attention to the recruitment, assessment and training of our volunteer managers. Where necessary we recruit people with recognised national governing body qualifications (e.g. Mountain Leader Training Board) to run adventurous activities such as mountaineering.
Volunteer managers and participants undertake training both in the UK and in the expedition country. This includes safety briefings, risk assessment, casualty evacuation; training in the correct and safe use of tools, camping equipment, and safety equipment including radios.
All necessary safety equipment including buoyancy aids, helmets, protective goggles, GPS receivers, flares and communications equipment is provided.
Each expedition maintains a network of HF radio communications enabling Field Base to have a 24-hour radio watch and project sites to call in twice daily or at any time when they need assistance or advice.
We have a comprehensive medical and personal accident insurance policy which covers all of our participants. This policy enables us to provide the best medical care available and also, when necessary, to repatriate participants for medical or compassionate reasons.
If you have any questions on safety please contact David Giles, Head of Operations, on the following numbers: telephone +44 (0)20 7183 1270 or fax +44 (0)20 7504 8094.
Alternatively, send an e-mail to david.giles@raleigh.org.uk
Raleigh International is a founding member of the Year Out Group which aims to promote the concept and benefits of well-structured year out programmes, to promote models of good practice and to help young people and their advisers in selecting suitable and worthwhile projects. For further details please visit the Year Out Group website.
