Putting safety first
Policies & Practices
Safety is at the absolute forefront of our operation at Govilon. We've kept an exemplary safety record for the past 45 years, which we continue to uphold through our stringent Safety Procedures. The Centre holds a Adventure Activities License (AALA), Learning Outside the Classroom accreditation and AAIAC Adventuremark status. We also comply with the Health & Safety at Work Act of 1974 and associated regulations.
Our Instructional Staff are qualified and highly experienced individuals. They all hold relevant National Governing Body qualifications (NGB's), current First Aid certificates and Disclosure Barring Service checks (DBS).
The Centre Manager takes day-to-day responsibility for the management of safety procedures and protocol. He submits a Health & Safety Report to the Govilon Management Committee at their quarterly meeting.
Risk Assessments & Safety Procedures
Our risk assessments are working documents which all staff use daily, and exist in conjunction with our Operating Procedures. They are inspected as necessary and form a fundamental part of our Adventure Activities Licence. A copy is available for inspection on site.
We are committed to updating both our risk assessments and Operating Procedures wherever necessary, and to maintaining a record of all potential hazards. We have systems in place to communicate procedures to staff, subcontractors and visitors. Our Management Committee evaluates procedures quarterly and take further action as required.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
All PPE at The Centre is specialist equipment designed specifically for use. It is checked and maintained routinely to ensure that it remains fit-for-purpose. It is also formally inspected as part of our Adventure Activities Licence. Records of equipment checks are available onsite upon request.
General Health & Wellbeing
Our policy is to do our utmost to include everyone who expresses a desire to come to The Centre. We have no limiting factors that would exclude an individual on health grounds. However, there may be certain activities or visits in which it could be inadvisable for an individual to participate. This would normally be agreed in advance so that suitable alternatives can be arranged. We can gather most of the information we need to make these decisions from the Medical Form we require from each individual, prior to participation. Additional information regarding pre-existing injuries or medical conditions is welcome and participants are encouraged to let us know about anything they feel concerned or unsure about.
In the event of a medical emergency, we will make ever effort to contact next of kin. The protocol for each individual or organisation visiting us is often different, so we will always discuss the preferred procedure for contacting family, friends or guardians in advance. This enables us to establish the most appropriate channels of communication should participants become unwell or injured.
Insurance and Liability
The Centre is covered by £10,000,000 (£10 Million Pounds) Employer's Liability and £5,000,000 (£5 Million Pounds) Public Liability Insurance. Copies of these are available to download here.
Personal accident protection is not provided by The Centre and it is recommended that you arrange cover for third party liability, loss of baggage and personal injury.