Representatives of the Adventure Activity Industry met for a one-hour meeting with Jane Kennedy, the minister responsible for implementing the regulations. Among other things she undertook to investigate the possibility of exempting adventure activities

Following a lot of hard work from many people yesterday represented a big day in the Adventure Activity Industries fight against the Work at Height regulations. It started early with Radio 4’s Today Programme doing a piece with Alistair Burt MP and Ian Greenwood of the HSE. Alistair Burt has been one of the MP’s who has done most to help our cause at a parliamentary level. It was thanks to him that we were to be granted a parliamentary delegation to meet with the Jane Kennedy herself, later in the day to discuss our concerns. There then followed a press conference at which John Cousins (MLTUK), Tom Redfern (NCA), Simon Waring (OB Trust), Brian Lamb (IOL) and Ian Hey (BMC) again outlined there concerns and the probable effects of the proposed regulations. Present at this were the BBC, the Press Association and various newspapers.

Support was also given from Lord Chorley and John Burnett MP. The most important part of the day came later in the afternoon with the meeting with Jane Kennedy the minister responsible for implementing the regulations. The Adventure Activity Industry was represented by John Cousins, Tom Redfern, Simon Waring, Brian Lamb, Charlotte Edward (CCPR), and Phil Quill (Calshot). The parliamentary delegation was led by Alistair Burt MP, two of Ms Kennedy’s Staff, plus Lord Berkley Pete Wishart MP, Julian Lewis MP, a Derbyshire Liberal MP (who’s name I missed) and Ian Greenwood, Robert Vaughan and Bill Gillan of HSE. Tom, Simon and John explained what constituted adventure activities and what the outstanding concerns about the proposed Regulations were.

 We explained that we were a loose affiliation of organisations but the Minister replied that we appeared to her to be a coherent sector that had mounted a very effective campaign. In a wide-ranging discussion the following topics were discussed: · We asked for Ms Kennedy’s help to ensure that no one undermined safety or damaged a crucial rural economy. We re-iterated that the legislation left us with little or no room for manoeuvre, did nothing to help and had great potential to hinder. · What we know was happening elsewhere in Europe and questioned how this related to what the government knew · How our industry supported many government initiatives and was recognised for its exemplary approach to health and safety. · How we have participated in their consultations in a very responsible manner and were only driven into a media campaign by the disbanding of AAIAC and deaf ears of rapidly changing HSE staff. We were glad to report that dialogue with HSE was improving significantly The Minister undertook the following: · Investigate the situation across Europe · Investigate whether or not it is possible to exempt adventure activities · If it is not then find a way to structure the Regulations and Guidance in a way that enhances rather than undermines adventure activities · Finding ways to explicitly state that NGBs are the repositories of guidance on good practice and investigate the legal position of HSE deferring to NGBs in the case of any potential claim or prosecution · Support the offer from HSE to provide training to inspectors When we know more we’ll let you know. Thanks go to everyone that played their part in making yesterday happen. 354 responses to the HSE consultation were from us and 75 MPs signed the early day motion in our support and that’s what got us through the door.

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