BAHA Quality Assurance

The British Activity Holiday Association was formed by a number of respo nsible activity centre operators in 1986, with the express intent of establishing operating guidelines for an ‘industry’ that otherwise had no specific controlling regulations.

Since that time, successive committees of elected members have developed a Code o f Practice, Activity Guidelines and an I nspection Scheme.

The BAHA Members’ Manual lays down standards for:  

• Customer Care,
• Recruitment, staffing and management,
• Staff induction / training / assessment,
• Accom m odation,
• Health and Safety,
• Fire Precautions,
• First Aid,
• Insurance,
• Activity Equipment,
• Activity guidelines ,
• Transport,
• Environmental responsibility

Members are required to carry out risk assessments of their centre / activities, in keeping with the M anagement of H ealth and S afety at W ork R egulations 1992. The M anual gives guidance on how to carry out these assessments, leading to local activity operating procedures that cover the risks identified .

Members whose activities fall within the scope of the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations 1996 must of course apply for licenc es as required by this legislation. They are also subject to a full BAHA inspection once every three years.

Members who do not fall within the scope of the R egulations and operate just one centre are required to submit to an annual inspection by one of BAHA ’s independent inspectors. Those who operate more than one activity centre must have at least 50% of their sites in the UK and Abroad , including any new centre s, inspected annually by BAHA unless they are in scope of the L icensing R egulations.

New full members must have all their sites inspected by BAHA or have applied for licenc es before full membership can be confirmed. Full members are all subject to spot-checks by BAHA inspectors at any time.

BAHA inspections are carried out against local operating procedures but minimum standards are also set for the most common activities and members are expected to match or exceed these. They are consistent with NGB guidelines where these are relevant to the activity at the level undertaken. The results of the latest inspection must be held on file at each centre and be available for scrutiny by potential customers on request.

In summary BAHA membership is an indication to schools, parent s and other customers that the centre / operator is taking its responsibilities seriously and should have a safe operation, providing value for money and an enjoyable experience.