Risk Management Review
Gain critical insight into how your organization compares to safety requirements and accepted practices
Viristar’s Risk Management Review, or Safety Audit, provides a valuable review of your organization’s safety and risk management practices, led by an experienced outside expert.
The Risk Management Review identifies areas of strength, and components of an organization’s safety system that will benefit from improvement.
The process includes a document review, key stakeholder interviews, and an on-site inspection visit (optional). A detailed written report is provided at the end of the review process.
Learn
Learn how well your organization meets safety standards and requirements
Benefit
Benefit from impartial, expert external guidance from an expert auditor
Gain
Gain detailed analysis and written recommendations for action
Improve
Improve your organization’s safety culture and practices by applying audit recommendations
Risk Management Review Process
Viristar’s Risk Management Review process typically has four components: a document review, interviews, a site visit and written report.
The review process, however, can be customized to your needs. Elements can be subtracted (like the site visit) or added (such as annual monitoring or a retainer agreement). Partial audits, for example a review of Risk Assessment and Management System documentation only, are also an option.
Document Review
Viristar reviews organization’s existing safety documents, such as risk management plan, field manual or activity leader handbook, safety management system, maintenance logs, major incident reports, training curricula, job descriptions, emergency procedures, or risk assessment and management plan.
Interviews
Viristar interviews key stakeholders such as program managers with risk management responsibilities. Safety committee, medical advisor, activity leader, logistics, governance or other personnel may also be interviewed. Initial interviews may be by remote video-conference, with in-person follow-up as needed.
Site Visit
Viristar conducts a hands-on inspection of the program’s facilities and equipment, normally over one to several days. Spot checks of documents are conducted. In-person interviews and observation of program activities in action may be conducted. At the end of the site visit, an oral report with preliminary principal findings is typically provided. A site visit is typical, but optional.
Written Report
Viristar provides an initial draft of a thorough written report. The document describes the review process and review activities completed. It typically summaries reviewer findings, including organizational strengths, recommendations for change, and general comments. Any comments on the draft report are provided to Viristar. A final Risk Management Review report is then delivered.
Audit Standards and Criteria
Viristar’s Risk Management Review evaluates the extent to which an outdoor, travel, adventure-based or experiential program has successfully assessed risks, and implemented reasonable management measures for those risks.
The safety audit provides expert analysis against widely accepted standards of good practice. These can take the form of compulsory regulation, an Approved Code of Practice, documented activity safety guides, on unpublished industry good practice standards.
On request, Viristar can also provide audits of companies against the following standards, or select other published consensus standards:
- ISO 21101:2014 — Adventure tourism — Safety management systems — Requirements
- ISO 21102:2020 — Adventure tourism — Leaders — Personnel competence
- ISO 21103:2014 — Adventure tourism — Information for participants
- BS 8848:2014 — Specification for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the United Kingdom
- ISO 31031:2024 – Managing risk for youth and school trips
Who Benefits from a Risk Management Review?
A wide variety of programs can gain valuable insights from a Risk Management Review. Organizations involved with the following activities can benefit from a Viristar safety audit:
- Outdoor education
- Environmental education
- Environmental learning center
- Outdoor recreation
- Outfitter & guide service
- Summer camp & year-round camp
- Outdoor adventurous activities
- Excursions, treks and expeditions
- Forest school/Jungle school
- International tours and travel
- Outdoor sports
- Field trip and travel
- Conservation corps
- Nature therapy & adventure therapy
- Wilderness expeditions
- Adventurous journey/DofE/Youth Award
- Adventure education
- International school trips & CAS programs
- Wilderness therapy/therapeutic wilderness
- Scientific research & field studies
- University/college outdoor recreation
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Viristar can combine a risk management review with table-top or field-based emergency response scenario drills, wilderness/remote medicine courses, risk management training, or incident review services.
Viristar can also write, edit or assist in writing or updating risk management documents before or after performing a Risk Management Review.
The Risk Management Review process normally takes one or more months. The specific timeframe depends on the scope of the review, the size of the program being audited, availability of interviewees, client’s desired timeframe, and other factors.
Yes. Viristar is happy to review risk management documents, evaluate an organization’s safety culture, or perform other limited audits.
The cost of a Risk Management Review varies depending on the unique circumstances of the review, such as the size and scope of the program to be reviewed, and anticipated travel expenses. Contact us for an estimate or full written proposal.
The Risk Management Review is an evaluation of the extent to which an organization meets good practice standards. It does not certify that an organization or any of its personnel meets all standards that may be part of a credentialing or accreditation scheme.
Yes. Unless your country is one of the very few subject to applicable U.S. Government economic sanctions (such as North Korea), we are able to work with you. In territories where English is not commonly spoken or written, we use interpreters and translators to conduct our work.
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