Safety map for activity services | Safety of Outdoor Activity services

When providing activity services, it is important to be aware of the other operators as well as the operating environment and the challenges it poses. Furthermore, the service provider should be prepared for different situations. For providing a better overview, the safety map for activity services includes hot spots – essential safety aspects – of activity services. The hot spots provide practical tips for planning the operations, risk assessment and daily activities.

1. Weather conditions

The weather conditions have a significant effect on the activities.
How is the operation affected if the weather changes rapidly?
Is there a Plan B?
The visibility, lighting, snow, ice and wind conditions must be taken into account.
An activity that is safe in the daytime may become surprisingly dangerous when it is dark outside.
Foreign customers may not comprehend the effects of freezing temperatures.

2. Fell and wilderness

On the fells, the weather can turn very quickly.
The risk of avalanche must be taken into account.
Follow the warnings issued by weather report services.
As it will take time to get additional help in the wilderness, the guide must have the necessary equipment and readiness to deal with exceptional situations.

3. Wilderness hut, accommodation

The address and coordinates of the wilderness hut or other accommodation should be visibly displayed on the outside wall.
The usage and emergency instructions are visibly displayed inside the building.
The safety of overnight stays should be periodically checked, e.g. the fireplaces and structures.
The accommodation must be equipped with suitable initial fire suppression equipment and a smoke alarm.
Take into account hygiene, handling foods, washing hands, using the toilet, etc.

4. Shelter, campfire site

If a rest point is only used by one company, it might not be marked on public maps or known by the rescue authorities.
The address and coordinates must be visibly displayed.
The condition of the structures must be periodically checked.
Take into account hygiene, handling foods, washing hands, using the toilet, etc.

5. Forest

The mobile phone coverage may vary greatly on the routes and there may be no coverage especially in the wilderness.
When the SIM card is removed, the phone will find the strongest signal and may be able to call the emergency number.

6. Safari house and yard

There are many people and vehicles moving in the yard of the safari house. The yard must be large enough and equipped with appropriate signs. Sanding and lighting contribute greatly to accessibility.
The customers get dressed indoors, and the guides must ensure that their clothing is appropriate. The course of the activity is discussed thoroughly. The guide uses an oral and written procedure for making sure that the customer understands the related safety aspects.

7. Husky safari

The start and return areas must be safe and large enough; take into account the lighting and trees and stumps in the surroundings.
Signs with pictograms must be prominently displayed.
Customer groups, briefing
Route planning and safety, taking into account other people.
Crossing the roads, traffic arrangements, own, shared and intersecting routes.
Dog and equipment safety. How will the animals react to others?

8. Routes

Safety is taken into account already when planning the routes. Dangers are avoided by choosing alternative routes.
Who knows the route plan and schedule?
Is anyone aware of the route/route plan and schedule?
Do the authorities know the own routes of the company?
Rescue zones should be marked along the routes; these are locations where help can arrive as easily and quickly as possible. The rescue zones and their coordinates must be marked on the route map.

9. Lake, body of water, ice fishing spot

How is it made sure that the ice is strong enough early in the winter?
In the spring, who decides when customers should not be taken on ice?
Take into account the changes in the weather and their effect on ice throughout the winter, not just early and late in the winter.
In the summer, boats must have the appropriate safety equipment. Take into account other people on the water and at the shores.
Provide clear instructions for the landing points.

10. Start, end and rest points

These are often the high-risk sections of each route. Use of signs with pictograms is recommended.
The start and driving is instructed/guided in advance.
There must be sufficient room, and there may not be immediate dangers in the vicinity.

11. Reindeer safaris

The start and return areas must be safe and large enough; take into account the lighting and trees and stumps in the surroundings.
Signs with pictograms must be prominently displayed.
Customer groups, briefing
Route planning and safety, taking into account other people.
Crossing the roads, traffic arrangements, own, shared and intersecting routes.
Reindeer and equipment safety, how will the animals react to others?

12. Urban areas

If a route passes through an urban area, the other traffic must be taken into account by observing special care and lowering the speed.
Pay special attention to road crossings and intersections in urban areas.

13. Independent tourist

Independent customers who rent equipment are informed on the use of the equipment (including safety equipment), routes and maps, daily weather and calling for help in case of an emergency.
The customer signs a document on the equipment rental and on receiving the instructions.
When will the customer return and how can the service provider contact the customer if he or she does not return at the agreed time?

14. Norwegian, Swedish or Russian border

Specific procedures and contact information of foreign partners.
Official documents for border crossing, personnel and equipment.
Multilingual guides, calling the emergency services.

15. Roads

The condition and load capacity of roads must be considered in transport.
If a high customer volume is expected, the party in charge of the road maintenance should be contacted for increasing sanding, for instance.