Safety is one of the primary focuses at the Rotoiti Lodge Outdoor Education Centre. We endeavor to manage all risks appropriately, while still providing learning experiences for people in the outdoors. We understand that not all risks can be eliminated, and that participating in some of the activities we offer will expose people to some level of risk, and we aim to minimise and mitigate as much as is acceptable.
Qualworx certified
RLOEC is registered as an Adventure Activity Operator (WorksafeNZ register), and is therefore subject to regular external audits by a national safety auditing organization, as per the Adventure Activities Regulations 2011. Each year we undergo a surveillance audit. We had our last large scale safety operations audit in 2023, and were awarded our safety certification with much praise. This process is vital to keeping our operations at a high standard, keeps us in tune with industry best practices, and keeps us evolving to deliver the best outcomes for those that visit the Lodge.
Safety Management Systems
Each activity has it’s own set of Safety Operating Procedures, and these are held in Operations manuals in the Lodge offices. These outline and document topics such as; hazard management, group ratios, specific equipment required, operational boundaries, instructor competencies, and safety protocols. Each activity gets reviewed annually, internally by senior staff and externally by auditors to maintain safe practices.
Activities and equipment
All Lodge equipment is checked by trained staff to be safe and suitable for use at any time of the year. The equipment is reviewed and updated on a revolving schedule throughout the year, or when it is unsuitable for use.
Staff
Our staff are integral to delivering the desired outcomes of the Lodge. They are chosen for their expertise and skills in the outdoors and boast certificates and qualifications to prove their competence. They all hold current First Aid tickets and complete police checks prior to starting work. They are run through at least three weeks of training, and ongoing assessments for each skill set, and have specific training pathways to follow before they can be signed off to run the activities. The Lodge Senior Instructor, or external Technical Experts when necessary, sign off the instructors competence before allowing them to lead groups by themselves.