Board Meeting: August 2013
Agenda Number: 12 (vi)
File Ref: PL0013
LORD HOWE ISLAND BOARD
Business Paper
ITEM
Draft Mt Gower Walking Track Risk Assessment
BACKGROUND
The LHIB is required to systematically identify, assess, treat and monitor risk in accordance
with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 and best practice
guidelines. The Mt Gower Walking Track has been identified under the LHIB Risk Register
as high public safety risk.
In order to properly consider this risk a detailed risk assessment has been prepared by the
LHIB staff in conjunction with emergency service organisations (i.e. NSW Police, NSW
Ambulance Service, and State Emergency Control Service), licensed commercial Island tour
operators and independent specialists.
COMMENT
The risk assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the LHIB ‘Risk Management
Policy’ and ‘Risk Management Procedures’ to record and identify visitor safety risks that are
not yet adequately and reliably controlled.
Eight Risks have been identified and given risk ratings. These have been assessed and
recommended actions to address the risk proposed.
Table 1: Summary of Risk Assessment for Mount Gower walking track
Type of risk
1.
Dangerous
trees/limbs falling
Current
Risk
Level
Medium
Summary of Recommended Additional
Actions


2.
Rock fall, cliff and
slope instability
Medium



3.
Slips, trips or falls
due to unstable
ground, exposed
roots, creek
Medium
- High



Assessment and removal of dangerous
trees and branches to be conducted as
part of a cyclic maintenance plan
Information and pre-activity briefing to be
provided by guides on potential risks
LHIB to introduce new licensing system,
with additional conditions and
requirements of guides
Track to be closed in inclement weather
Cliff stability to be assessed by
geotechnical engineer
Guides implement pre-walk health
assessment
Track to be closed in inclement weather
Guides to report all accidents and near
Residual
Risk
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium
crossing etc.
4.
Walkers becoming
lost in a remote
location


Low


5.
Failure of the rope
and anchor system


High

6.
7.
8.
Failure of
communications
Risk of injury or
illness to walkers
due to their skill,
experience and
fitness levels.
Exposure of walkers
to elements
resulting in heat
stroke, heat
exhaustion,
dehydration or
hypothermia.
High

Medium




Low


misses using prescribed form
Children to be accompanied by adult
LHIB to introduce new licensing system,
with additional conditions and
requirements of guides
Reduce guide to participant ratio
Adequate directional markers are in
place where disorientation is high
Review the design of the anchor system
Implement recommendations of Rope
Audit
Guides to provide pre-activity briefings
on the use of ropes
Black spot mapping for UHF radio
system upgrade
Communication plan for incidents
Potential use of Satellite Phones
Guides to screen customers for health
assessment
Medical Indemnity form
Guides to have First Aid Training and
have appropriate sized first aid kit
Walkers must have appropriate clothing
and adequate fluid/food, sunscreen
Low
Medium
Medium
Low
Low
Provided these recommendations are implemented the residual risk assessment is less than
high and is considered acceptable.
The risk assessment recommends a number of proposed actions including:
 introduction of a new commercial tour operator licensing system which includes:
- restrictions on participation
- pre-activity planning and briefings
 regular audits and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure as part of Asset
Management System; and
 training.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board note the attached information.
Prepared David Kelly
Manager Environment & Community Development
Endorsed Bill Monks
Acting Chief Executive Officer