Health and Safety | Blue Skies Conference and Training Centre

Welcome to Blue Skies Conference and Training Centre. To aid in the successful planning and running of your camp at Blue Skies we have listed below the areas you may need to cover in your Risk Management obligations.

Blue Skies endeavors to provide a high standard of health and safety practises. Part of this high standard includes that any visitors on site agree to adhere to our standards and help us to recognise and minimize any potential hazards.

Safety/Fire Warden

Each group is to have a ‘Safety/Fire warden' to take responsibility for the health and safety of the group and following Blue Skies health and safety procedures.

This is through:

Checking in with the office on arrival
Reading and understanding all Blue Skies health and safety information*
Reading the Hazard Register Chart at the office and relevant RAMS information
Informing the group of relevant emergency procedures
Reporting to a manager any potential hazards
Reporting to a manager any incidents, and completing a Incident, Accident or Near Miss form.

Click here for a link to the ‘Fire Wardens' duties and the ‘Fire Evacuation Procedures'

Secure Safety Areas

There are some areas/activities at Blue Skies that pose a higher risk, including the Swimming Pool, Flying Fox and Abseiling Tower. A key needs to be signed out from the office for some of these; a supervisor must read or understand the Secure Safety Areas information sheet.

Click here for link to the 'Secure Safety Areas' Information sheet

First Aid

Each group staying at Blue Skies is to provide their own first aid requirements. A basic first aid kit is kept in the office for emergencies. In case of an emergency the nearest medical centre is the:

Kaiapoi Medical Centre

69 Fuller St

Kaiapoi

Ph: 03 327 5115

A doctor is on call in Kaiapoi for after hours medical emergencies. Ring the number above for after hours contact.

* Health and safety information for groups is also available at the office, and as displayed on information boards at Blue Skies.

Risk Management

There are comprehensive Risk RAMS forms for all Blue Skies activities including hazardous areas.

You can download a printable version of this document by clicking here.

Areas to note for special care listed below are covered in more detail under each individual activity later in this statement. Areas/Activities available for use on site at Blue Skies by visiting groups are:-

Swimming Pool: Is fenced and locked. A key can be obtained from the office by a responsible adult for group, after reading and signing key register.
Confidence Course: Includes flying fox which is locked. Key can be obtained from the office by a responsible adult for group, after reading conditions and signing key register. A list of activities is available from office or on our web site www.blueskies.org.nz .
Initiative Activities: A list and instruction is available from office or on web site. Advanced notification with office is required as some equipment needs to be set up by staff.
Climbing Wall and Abseiling Tower: These activities are fenced and locked. They are controlled by the Blue Skies Abseiling Committee who run the tower and advanced bookings are required prior to camp.
Contact Kate McKenzie Telephone 980 3958 (Evenings)
Orienteering: Maps and instructions are available from the office or on web site. Markers are permanently set up around our site ready for use.
Fire Pits/Outdoor Cooking: Pits are located in Scout Paddock at north end of grounds. All fires need to be controlled by adults and only when there are no fire restrictions in place by the Waimakariri District Council. Fire wood can be used from the green shed near the Camp Fire Circle. All fires are to be put out with water at the conclusion of this activity.
There is an open pond on site as part of our Confidence Course. Special care should be taken in supervising young children.
Circuit Training Course: The Circuit consists of a series of 18 fitness stations, (where you perform specified exercises) which are spaced along a jogging and/or walking track.
Extra Activities: Tug-of-war - rope available on request; Cemetery Quiz - questions available under activities page or from office, involves going off-site to cemetery on Vickery St opposite Blue Skies; Water Slides (slip&slide) - can be put out on request.

For Maps of the Orienteering Course, Fitness Circuit and the Blue Skies site, please click here.

1. Swimming Pool

Pool is fenced and locked. A key can be obtained from the office by a responsible adult after reading and signing key register.

Risk Management

Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
Slipping	Grazing,Bruising, Concussion	No running in pool area.
Hitting head on bottom	Concussion, Bruising, possible drowning, Paralysis	No diving or acrobatics Clear instructions given.
Landing on another person	Cuts, bruising, concussion	No pushing people in. Look before you jump.
Drowning	Choking, death	Clear instructions given. Rules to be followed.

Supervisor's Instructions.

Minimum amount of one supervisor per 20 children, but one female and one male is preferred.
Supervisors are not to swim but must be continuously watching the activities in and around the pool.
Pool to be locked after use.

2. Confidence Course

We recommend the Confidence Course be used as a confidence (team building) exercise for young and mixed ability groups and not as a time trial or race to compete against each other, as this may cause accidents. Sturdy footwear should be worn at all times while participating on the confidence course activities.

A suggested team building approach to the confidence course is to work in small teams of approximately six persons. For mixed ability groups, four out of six members of each team can be required to complete each exercise although, these team members should rotate around the whole team. This will allow any member unable to participate in a particular activity to opt out (e.g. Fear of heights). To increase the degree of difficulty you can have the team carry a bucket of water, "Nuclear Waste" around the activities to be carried at all times and not to be put down or touch ground. At completion you can measure quantity of water still in bucket to help determine the winning team. Points can also be scored for successfully completing each exercise.

Starting from platform:

Fireman's Pole
Concrete Pipe Tunnel
Low Swinging Plank Run around Pond
Stepping across Pond
Walk the Pole (across pond)
Tyre Wall
Tall Swinging Plank
Over Wall (two heights)
Over Horizontal Tyres
Sloping Balance Walk
Level Balance Walk, Jump from one to next
Two Rope Bridge
*Advanced Detour
12a Tight rope with balance rope
12b Leopard Crawl
Swinging Rope into Net
Climb down net and make way up hill, up vertical ladder onto platform
Flying Fox over Pond

Finish: If a number of teams are to be working at the same time on the Confidence Course then they can be started at various points around course.

Risk Management

	Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
1 Fireman's Pole.	Falling off pole.	Bruising, cuts, Concussion.	Adequate footwear to be worn for good grip. Children to hold onto pole tightly.
2 Concrete Pipe Tunnel.	Hitting head on tunnel.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Children to crawl through tunnel and not stand up.
3 Low Swinging Plank.	Fall off plank. Falling over.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Adequate foot wear to be worn. Move slowly across plank.
4 Stepping Across Pond .	Fall in pond.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Adequate footwear to be worn. Extra caution to be taken.
5 Walk the pole (across pond).	Fall in pond.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Adequate footwear to be worn. Extra caution to be taken.
6 Tyre Wall.	Falling.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Clear instructions. Extra caution to be taken.
7 Tall Swinging Plank.	Falling.	Bruising, Concussion, Fractures.	Clear instructions. Extra caution to be taken.
8 Over wall.	Falling off wall. Hitting a spectator.	Bruising, Concussion, Fractures.	Proper footwear to be worn. Extra caution to be taken.
9 Over Horizontal Tyres.	Falling.	Bruising, Concussion, Fractures.	Clear instructions to be given.
10 Slopping Balance Walk.	Falling.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Proper footwear to be worn.
11 Slopping Balance.	Falling when jumping.	Bruising, cuts, concussion, fractures.	Proper footwear to be worn. Clear instructions to be given.
12 Two rope bridge.	Falling onto ground.	Bruising, cuts, concussion, fractures.	Proper footwear to be worn. Clear instructions to be given.
*Advanced detour.		Bruising, cuts, concussion, fractures.	Extra caution to be taken. Proper footwear to be worn.
*12A Tight Rope with Balance Rope.		As above.	As above.
*12B Leopard Crawl.		As above.	As above.
13 Swinging Rope into Net.	Falling off. Rope breaking.	Bruising, cuts, concussion, fractures. Rope burn, Blisters,	Caution children to hang on tight. Regularly check rope for safety.
14 Climb down net and make way up hill, up vertical ladder onto platform	Falling onto ground.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Adequate footwear to be worn. Children hold onto net when climbing.
15 Flying Fox over Pond.	The Flying Fox is locked. Key can be obtained from the office by a responsible adult for group, after reading conditions and signing register.
	Falling off. Wire breaking.	Bruising, concussion, fractures.	Clear instructions to be given - children to hold on tight to pole, head to side. Extra caution to be taken. Regularly check wire on Flying Fox.

3. Blue Skies Initiative Activities

Introduction:While you are supervising the groups using the Initiative Activities there are three key points we would like you to keep in mind:

Participation
Enjoyment
Safety
These are team building activities and all participants should be encouraged to join in and be part of the team.
They should be enjoying the experiences and not forced to try an exercise outside their comfort zone.
All activities should be completed with safety in mind.

Activity 1: Electric Fence
With the use of a small plank get all team members over the ‘electric' fence. The fence line can be adjusted in height to suit age or size of group. They cannot touch the ‘fence' or posts. Once over the fence team members can assist from the far side but cannot come back around to the front.

Activity 2: Spiders Web
All members of team are to pass through a different hole in the spider's web not touching the ropes. Please do not let people climb on the ‘spider's web' (it will break). Once through the spider's web they can assist from the far side, but cannot come back around to the front.

Activity 3: Balance Drum
All members of team are to balance on the drum at the same time for 15 seconds. Once all team members are on the drum, i.e. nothing touching the ground, count a ‘slow' 15 seconds while they remain balanced.

Activity 4: Cable Drum
All members are to pass over drum, landing feet first. Drum can be altered to three different heights to suit age or size of group. Note: They are to land ‘feet first.' Do not allow them to spin the drum with someone on it until they fall head first over the other side.

Activity 5: Centre Pole
Activity is for team to remove tyre from pole then to put it back on pole by hand. (Not by throwing the tyre). They can make a human pyramid leaning against the pole. If group is small in height, have a competition to see how high up the pole they can move the tyre.

Activity 6: River Crossing
Using three tyres and two planks all team members are to cross ‘river' between designated ‘river banks', all at same time, together, taking all equipment with them. Planks are to be used on the tyres. Note: Tyres float, planks sink, they must use the planks on the tyres.

Activity 7: Swamp Crossing
Using three large drums and two planks all team members are to cross ‘swamp' between designated start and finishing points, all together at same time, taking all equipment with them. Planks are to be used on the drums. The drums are to be used on the ends, not on the side.

Activity 8: High Wall
All team members are to climb over wall, working together to assist each other. If the high wall (8) behind the abseiling tower is too high for the group then they can use the higher wall (of two) on the confidence course.

Risk Management

	Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
1 Electric Fence.	Falling.	Sprains, Fractures, Cuts, Bruises.	Clear instructions to be given.
	Spectator hit.	Same as above.	Participants not immediately involved must keep back from activity.
	Tripping over.	Same as above.	Extra caution to be taken.
2 Spiders Web.	Tripping.	Bruises, grazing, cuts.	No pushing. Clear instructions to be given.
3 Balance Drum.	Falling off Drum.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Adequate footwear to be worn.
	Spectator hit.	Same as above.	Clear instructions to be given.
4 Cable Drum.	Falling off Drum.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Clear instructions to be given. Adequate footwear to be worn.
5 Centre Pole.	Hit on head by tyre.	Bruising, cuts, concussion.	Team members to watch when they are passing tyre.
6 River Crossing.	Hit on head by plank.	Bruises, concussion.	Team members to watch where they pass plank.
	Slip off plank.	Sprain, Bruises.	No pushing.
7 Swamp Crossing.	Hit on head by plank.	Bruises, concussion.	Team members to watch where they pass plank.
	Fall off plank.	Sprain, Bruises.	No pushing.
8 High Wall.	Falling off wall.	Bruises, cuts, sprains, fractures, concussion.	Extra caution to be taken. Proper footwear to be worn.
	Hitting a spectator.	Same as above.	Work together to help Each other to climb over wall.

4. Abseiling Tower and Climbing Wall

Risk Analysis and Management Process

Forms of Loss	Incident	People, gear, entail hazards & perils	Policies standard operating procedures, guidelines & developmental actions.
Any Loss	Fear of activity & lack of participation	Lack of faith in equipment Lack of faith in instructor	Briefing to include explanations of equipment strength Briefing to include background of instructors
	Lack of learning from incidents	No reporting, recording & analysis of incidents Different perceptions of what is an incident	Establish an incident reporting, recording & analysis system Clarify with instructors what is an incident and what should be reported
	Students unsupervised	Group size too large Too few instructors Nothing for students to do	Set maximum ratio guidelines Set maximum number of students allowed on Tower Development activities for non abseilers & Rock Climbers to do
	Medical mishap	Lack of information on medical conditions	Obtain medical information on students
	Jammed abseil device	Poor technique used	Have abseil line threaded over horn
	Jammed safety line	Poor technique used	Use pear shaped karabiners
	Students slipping on descending wall	Slippery footwear Slippery surface Wet or Icy conditions Poor descending technique	Students to wear firm footwear with non plastic soles Slippery surfaces are to be roughened No use of facility in wet or icy conditions Student briefing to include good body position
Forms of Loss	Lack of group control	No ground rules set for behavior Blurred lines responsibility between instructors	Establish safety behavior ground rules at start Establish operational guidelines for responsibility at site
	Lack of rapport between instructors and students	Instructor(s) too young for group Instructor does not demonstrate authority Instructor inconsistent with behavior Instructor excessively authoritarian	Set minimum age for instructor in charge Provide information on leadership styles to instructors Coach instructors on style to use for standard situations Monitor instructor's behavior and give peer feedback Coach instructors on style to use for standard
	Gear failure	Lack of checking systems Poor equipment purchased Poor choice of equipment	Organisational checking systems Instructors coaching on checking to be completed before operation Policy of purchasing only "approved" or "validated" equipment
	Tower Failure	Lack of checking systems Earthquake or storm damage	Organisational checking system & regular engineer's safety report Policy of no use until tower checked by safety officer post "major" earthquakes and storms
	Vandalism of tower	Public place Lack of protection from public Lack of checking by instructors	Ensure "simple" access to tower is not possible Educate public of hazards via signs Instructors complete a system of checks pre use
	Items caught in abseil device	Poor briefing Poor risk management	Briefing includes isolating item that could get caught in abseil devise Educate students not to place hands near the descender device / provide hair ties (available on request).
	Students pressured into activity	Lack of challenge by choice Poor perception by instructor Directive language used by instructor	Develop a philosophy of participation Educate instructors to work with students abilities and aspirations, not their own Monitor instructors and give feedback Educate instructors as to the power of manipulative language, monitor and give feedback
Forms of Loss	Bad press for BSAT and outdoor Education	Accidents on the tower	Have a nominated spokesperson and guidelines for information disclosure Review any incident Inform and involve national bodies in critical cases for benefit of support, improving operations and educating others Clarify legal liability

				No follow up to incidents	Follow up any incident that requires outside assistance to ensure the student and instructor Involved are "cared" for
				No follow up to incidents
				Lack of national accepted standards	Operate facility and staff in line with national standards (Mountain Safety Council) Ensure hirers of facility are informed of the hazards of the facility and have national standards required to run the facility and absolve the organisation from responsibility for their own imprudent actions
		Lack of guidelines for who can hire tower
		No release of liability for hirer's
		No release of liability for hirer's
		Incorrect abseil operation	No minimum standards of operation Lack of instructors skills	Document minimum standards of operation, student care, anchors, set up, equipment, operation, ethics Set minimum standards of abilities required by instructors with varying levels of responsibility

					Inattentive instructor	Poor ratios Instructor tired Instructor ill Instructors ability impaired	Set minimum ratios Ensure instructors are not operating abseils or rock climbs for more than 1.5 hours Ensure instructors are not under the influence of any performance affecting drugs or illness Ensure instructors do not work on tower with in 12hrs of consuming alcohol.

	Poor risk management			Lack of instructor skills, experience & knowledge No risk analysis and management process				Set minimum levels of ability Review this process annually
	Poor crisis management	No crisis management process Lack of instructor skills, experience & knowledge	Establish a response plan to critical incidents Provide training and information on how to deal with likely crises
	Technical inability of instructor	Lack of minimum skills required by instructors Lack of organisational monitoring & checking system	Set minimum levels of ability Monitor & confirm instructors ability against a competency checklist or national award (Mountain Safety Council).
	Excessive wear on equipment	Poor briefing No minimum guidelines for use	Briefing to include care of equipment Operating guidelines established e.g. gloves, no gloves, steel karabiners in wear points
	Loss of effect	Exclusive language or behavior from instructors	No minimum guidelines Poor training	Training and guidelines established re the "power" of language instructors monitored and given feedback
	Psychological Harm	Sexual intimidation Inappropriate touching	No minimum guidelines, lack of monitoring of staff	Instructors trained in behaviors that are acceptable
	Psychological Harm	Traumatised students	No challenge by choice,	Philosophy of operation established
	Physical Harm	Instructor or student fall from tower	No safety system for students exposed to hazard of fall Anchor failure	Student always clipped into a safety system Organisation establishes minimum standards for anchor system i.e. how and numbers
		Injury on tower	Traps in structure, bolt brace on stairs etc	Tower assessed for injury traps and fixed
		Equipment failing on student	Loose gear at top tower	All spare gear tied and clipped in at top of structure / helmets to be worn.
		Heat exhaustion	Lack of liquids, long periods of work	Educate instructors of hazard, structure session so regular breaks can occur
Sun injuries		Lack of protection	Educate instructors of hazard, sun block available at tower
Head injuries		No helmets Falling objects	Require helmets to be worn on and adjacent to structure. Loose items tied in.

5. Orienteering

Risk Management

Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
Falling over.	Cuts, Bruises, Sprains.	Proper footwear to be worn. Clear instructions given.
Getting lost.	Panic.	Clear instructions given. If lost try to study map to find out where you are.

6. Fire Pits/Outdoor Camping

Risk Management

Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
Burns from fire.	Skin Burn.	Adult supervision only. Clear instructions to be given. All fires to be put out with water at the conclusion of activity.

7. Garden Pond

Risk Management

Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
Fall in pond/ drowning.	Choking, death.	Adult supervision of young children. Rules to be followed. Clear instructions given.

8. Circuit Training Course

The Circuit consists of a series of 18 fitness stations, (where you perform specified exercises) which are spaced along a jogging and/or walking track in this area. Simply follow the directional arrow to each fitness station until you reach the last sign (18) at the end of the Fitness Circuit.

GRADED EXERCISE (WARM UP - COOL DOWN)

The Circuit is specifically designed to begin with stretches and warm-up exercises, then challenge you with more demanding exercises followed by a cool-down series leading to the finish. The instructions act as a "coach" for people who are inexperienced in pacing themselves in an exercise regime.

FITNESS STATIONS

Most fitness stations have exercise apparatus designed to accommodate people of all sizes. Perform each exercise exactly as it is described for a safe and effective programme.

There is a recommended number of repetitions suggested on each sign for each of three different "fitness levels." As you select your fitness level remember that it only represents recommended goals. Choose a comfortable level of activity.

Your Fitness Level	Number of Repetitions
Start Level	5
Sport Level	10
Championship Level	20

YOU CAN CHALLENGE YOURSELF
To develop a greater degree of personal challenge on the Training Circuit, you can gradually increase the number of repetitions at each fitness station and the speed at which you run the Course. You can compete against others, against your own best time, or not compete at all.
Cardiovascular health is the key to overall fitness. This guide will assist you to achieve the maximum cardiovascular benefit from the Course fitness programme. If you apply the following formula, you will experience definite improvement in your level of cardiovascular fitness.

TO BE FIT, THINK ‘F.I.T.'

F - FREQUENCY
Exercise at least three times per week, on an every-other-day basis.

I - INTENSITY
Exercise hard enough to elevate your pulse rate into the ‘training zone'. Research has shown that exercising at an intensity below your zone will not produce much cardiovascular improvement. Exercising at an intensity above your zone will be hard to maintain and may be harmful for beginners. Your heart rate determines if it's necessary to speed up or slow down during exercise, but as another guide to your maximum desirable intensity you should always be able to carry a conversation while you are exercising - if not ease up.

T - TIME
Maintain your heart rate within your training zone for at least 20 consecutive minutes. Shorter periods will not produce much improvement.

NOTE: These are minimum requirements for improving your fitness.

Risk Management

Risk Detail	Likely injury or illness	Risk Control
Falling over.	Cuts, Bruises, Sprains.	Read & follow instructions for all activities.
Falling off apparatus.	Cuts, Bruises, Sprains.	Read & follow instructions for all activities. Choose a comfortable level of activity.

9. Extra Activities

(Click here for printable version as these activities are not included in with the main RAMS Forms)

Activity: Water Slides
The water slides are 2 sheets of long tarpaulin, pegged to the ground, and then coated with water and dishwashing liquid. Operates the same as a ‘Slip and Slide', a person runs up to it and then slides across the tarpaulin.

Risk Detail	Likely Injury	Risk Control
Slipping over	Possible bruising, strain, fractures, head injury	Clear instructions - do not run too fast, removal of possible objects in way, saturate ground so softer at start of slide.
Landing awkwardly	As above	Clear instructions - do not dive, but crouch and slide. Keep slide slippery
Sliding out of control, too far, colliding with another person	As above	Clear Instructions - do not go too fast, keep others away from slide

Activity: Tug of War
Using the large rope, have one team on one end and the other on the other end; mark a central line between the two teams. Both teams try to pull the opposite team over the centre line.

Risk Detail	Likely Injury	Risk Control
Slipping over	Possible bruising, strain, fractures, head injury	Clear instructions - Do not let go all at once to cause the other team to fall over, do not be too rough and be considerate of others around you.
Landing awkwardly	As above	As above
Rope Burn	Grazing of hands etc	Let rope go if it feels uncomfortable, do not wrap rope around any body parts

Activity: Kaiapoi Cemetery Quiz
Located across the road from Blue Skies on Vickery St. In small groups students must find all the answers to the questions on the quiz within the Cemetery.

Risk Detail	Likely Injury	Risk Control
Slipping over	Possible bruising, strain, fractures, head injury	Clear instructions - do not run too fast, be aware of low objects i.e. gravestones.
Surrounding roads, getting hit by a car, causing accident	Bruising, strain, fractures, head injury, internal injuries, possible death	Roads and driving have the biggest potential risk. Use safe road crossing methods, set boundaries at the grave site, have a teacher or parent look out for children wandering off too far.