Can anyone guide me in the right direction - our company is holding an adventure day and apart from knowing I need to risk assess whatever task we end up doing I could do with a bit more info

I presume that the event will be hosted and organised by an competent/expert external events company. They will have their own risk assessment(s) for it. You could request their risk assessments and get first hand information from thier internal/external health and safety appointed person regarding types of actual injuries and verify by whatever means that they actually do what they thier risk assessment states.Most of the controls are to do with a level of initial briefing/training, in some cases PPE, and so on. Based on the above you can compile some "sensible guidelines" for you employees and still enjoy the outing Ultimately, the level of risk acceptable is down to what your organisation considers as acceptable. You can contact me via PM as I have been involved in risk assessing a variety of "Team Building Events" for my company that included elements of adventure type activities

Roysta I would be very worried about people being “expected to take part” with some of the activities you have suggested. I think they are great events for team building but only if people WANT to take part. If people feel forced to do something they are worried about or beyond their abilities it can be a recipe for disaster. Hopefully you will have good instructors who will spot this and stop people doing more than they should. Some of the activities you have suggested are covered by the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004. If you type adventure activities into the search field on HSE books you will get 2 free downloads L77 – Guidance from the Licensing Authority on the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 2004 Environmental Sheet No 13 – combined water and rock activities: Guidance for providers And a link for Adventure activities centres: five steps to risk assessment, which unfortunately appears still to be a priced publication. Hopefully these will give you some guidance on starting your risk assessments. Good Luck. Brian

Don't worry too much, surely the idea is to have some respite from work and maybe even some fun. The reputable types of these companies are well versed in coping with all sorts and shapes of people, and you can lead a horse to water..... As Anderson says as long as it is ensured that the company used are competent then relax and enjoy, I wish my job involved the odd day out.