| Waitomo Education Service |
Activities |
Attractions |
Above Ground Adventure
Activities |
Below Ground
Adventure Activities |
Combination Adventure
Activities |
Walkways and DOC Reserves |
Risk Analysis and Management System
Activity: Caving
|
| ANALYSIS |
DESCRIPTION |
| Undesired Events |
Outside the Cave |
Inside the Cave |
Accident on the way
to the cave; late start to an activity; leaving equipment behind; stolen property. |
Severe cold or hypothermia; drowning; psychological distress;
claustrophobia; damage to equipment; damage to environment; injury from falling
person or object; stuck on ladder/abseil (if applicable); light failure; injury from
equipment failure; caught in flood; overdue; trapped in squeeze; injury from tripping or
falling; medical emergency; party member lost or whole of party lost; party fatigue. |
| Causal factors |
People |
Equipment |
Environment |
| Outside the Cave: Unskilled drivers; overseas drivers;
lack of adequate planning; poor cave match for group. In the Cave: Unfit people in the group; peer pressure;
poor communication; pre-existing medical conditions; poor risk management practice;
untrained staff; lack of site knowledge. |
Outside the Cave: Poor vehicle maintenance; incorrect
equipment for cave; no equipment check sheet. In the Cave: Unsuitable group equipment; lack of food/hot drinks;
poorly maintained equipment; lack of emergency equipment. |
Outside the Cave: Busy rural roads; multiple hazards
on road; wet or hazardous conditions on road. In the Cave: Cold; wet; slippery surfaces; loose rocks; confined
spaces; heavy rainfall; darkness; deep water.
|
| Risk Management Strategies |
Normal Operations |
| Outside the Cave: Guides to have correct licence for
vehicle they are using; drive defensively; plan appropriate trip for group; obtain group
information beforehand. In the
Cave: Experienced staff with site training; analysis of accident/incidents for staff
training and site management; disclose activity risk; active management of group safety
during activity. |
Outside the Cave: Ensure vehicle maintenance is done
and vehicle is checked before use; pack correct equipment for cave; ensure First Aid kit
in vehicle; equipment cleaned and serviced between trips; equipment logged after trips.
In the Cave: Carry First Aid kit at
all times; clients issued with any specialised clothing or equipment required for cave;
checks of rigging or other equipment during use. |
Outside the Cave: Drive for the conditions at the
time; slow down in the wet; check weather before using cave. In the Cave: Choose safest route; protect areas of
high risk from damage; protect clients if exposed to any areas of high risk; check water
gauges. |
Emergency |
| First Aid kit to be carried on all trips; hot drink and food
to be available on all trips; communication with base either via cell phone or land line. |
| Relevant Industry Standards Applicable |
Land Transport Safety Authority vehicle licensing
regulations; Land Transport Safety Authority driver regulations; Occupational Safety and
Health Act; NZ Outdoor Instructors Association cave syllabus; NZ Speleological Association
Caver guidelines; Black Water Rafting staff manual; NZ Qualification Authority unit
standards. |
| Policies and Guidelines Recommended |
All staff to have current First Aid certificates; all
students to fill out a medical form before participating in activity; cancel trips where
there is defined risk from flooding or the water is over specific operating levels;
appropriate ratios for group management. |
| Skills Required by Staff |
Good group management and facilitation skills; risk and
crisis management skills; site specific training; knowledge of company policy and
procedure; site specific rescue procedures; good level of fitness. |
| Guidelines for Specific Caves |
Max's or Were Cave: ratio 1:12; limit of 12 per trip. Mangapohue
Cave: ratio 1:6; limit of 12 per trip. Huhunui: ratio 1:6; limit of 12 per
trip; woollen/thermal top and sturdy footwear recommended. Downstream Gardners:
ratio 1:6; limit of 12 per trip; woollen/thermal top and sturdy footwear required. Zweiholen:
ratio 1:5; limit of 10 per trip; woollen/thermal top and sturdy footwear required. Black
Labyrinth (BWR I): ratio 1:6; limit of 12 per trip; secondary school age and above, 45
kg minimum weight; wetsuits, sturdy footwear and thermal top supplied. Black Abyss (BWR
II): ratio of 1:4, limit of 8 per trip, 16 years and over, 45 kg minimum weight;
wetsuits, sturdy footwear and thermal top supplied. Spellbound: Ratio 1:9; limit of
9 per trip; woollen/thermal top and sturdy footwear recommended. |
| The Waitomo Museum of Caves Society and the Waitomo Education
Service bear no responsibility for any incidents arising from participating in this
activity. |
| Waitomo
Education Service email us at: education@waitomodiscovery.org
21/12/2007 |