ANDORRA SKI EXPRESS SAFETY POLICY

Contents

Section 1. Safety Policy Statement

Section 2. Definition of the Safety Management System

Section 3. Direction & Review of the Safety Management System

Section 4. Transport
4.1 British Coaches
4.2 Seat Belts
4.3 Drivers Hours
4.4 Driver Recruitment
4.5 Foreign Coaches
4.6 Public Transport

Section 5. Accommodation
5.1 Brochured Units (direct)
5.2 Non Brochured Units (direct)
5.3 Agent Supplied Units
5.4 Agents

Section 6. Training
6.1 Inspector Audit Training
6.2 SMS Awareness

Section 7. Emergency Procedures
7.1 Emergency Procedure Manual
7.2 Duty Officer
7.3 Duty Kit

Section 8. Other
8.0 Outdoor & Adventurous Activities

Section 9. Ski School

1. Safety Policy Statement.

Ski Express Wales Limited is committed t ensuring all clients are assured of the highest possible safety standards throughout their tour. This is achieved by:

1.1 Taking every possible measure to reduce the risk of the occurrence of an accident.

1.2 Ensuring our products and services comply where applicable with the current local, national and/or international standards and maintaining a record of this for referral by staff and advice to our customers.

1.3 Actively promoting the awareness, continual assessment and improvement of local and operational standards applicable to Ski Express Wales Limited, our agents and suppliers.

1.4 Ensuring that the training of Ski Express Wales Limited personnel equips them to give accurate advice and to properly carry out assessment of suppliers.

1.5 Ensuring that Ski Express Wales Limited personnel are trained to respond quickly and efficiently in the event of an emergency.

Improvement and monitoring safety standards is the responsibility of all Ski Express Wales Limited staff and management. All staff and management will ensure that the above objectives are achieved, as far as is reasonably possible.

2. Safety Management System.

The Safety Policy Statement of Ski Express Wales Limited is defined in Section 1 of this document. In order to ensure these objectives are met, we have developed a formal Safety Management System which sets out the standards that we expect to be maintained for each of the key components of our tours. Additionally the Safety Management System specifies the measures we take to monitor and review such standards.

3. Direction and Review of the Safety Management System.

3.1 The Directors are responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the Safety Monitoring System.

3.2 The Safety Management System will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Directors.

4. Transport.

4.1 Air.
All air transport to/from the UK is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority. This body operates to very strict safety criteria and no additional practical measures need to be undertaken by Ski Express Wales Limited.

4.1 British Coaches.
Ski Express Wales Limited will endeavour to provide the highest possible safety standards in respect of coachwork in the following ways:

4.1.1 Seat Belts: In line with current legislation, all companies included on the Ski Express Wales Limited list of selected suppliers will supply coaches with sufficient seat belts fitted for the relevant group size.

4.1.2 All itineraries for Ski Express Wales Limited tours by coach are prepared taking into account current legislation on drivers hours.

4.1.3 Driver Recruitment: Each coach company contracted to Ski Express Wales Limited is asked to take reasonable steps to establish that their drivers do not have a criminal record/detrimental employment history.

4.1.4 Foreign Coaches: All coach companies used for transfers and excursions must conform to all local, national and international standards, with the minimum requirement that they hold an Operator’s Licence, Fleet Insurance and Public Liability Insurance.

4.1.5 Public Transport: The regulations concerning public transport are determined by the appropriate authorities in each country. It is not felt that any additional measures can be taken by Ski Express Wales Limited

5. Accommodation.
5.1 Brochured Units (direct): All accommodation specifically named in the relevant brochure must be audited prior to using it for the first time.
5.2 Non- Brochured Units (direct): Due to the large number of units involved, many used on a one-off basis and often on request for one particular group, it is not possible to carry out audits. However, Ski Express Wales Limited will ensure these units conform to local safety and Hygiene standards. If such a unit is used 3 times per year for 2 consecutive years, an audit will be carried out.

5.3 Agent Supplied Units: Where Ski Express Wales Limited uses a unit supplied by an agent, it is not possible to undertake an audit. Frequently, agent supplied accommodation is only confirmed a short time before the tour takes place. Furthermore, agents are used more extensively to provide accommodation and other ground services for distant destinations, which would prove impractical to audit.

However, each agent with whom we work will provide a written statement confirming that all properties for Ski Express Wales Limited conform to local standards or where local standards do not exist, that the hotelier has made every effort to ensure the safety of Ski Express Wales Limited.

NB: Should it be the case that fire certificates/local licences do exist but that a particular unit has not been awarded one, Ski Express Wales Limited will not use that accommodation for its groups.

5.4 Agents: It has not proved practical to ask agents to carry out a Safety Management System audit, partly because of difficulties in training but mainly because of the time scale as mentioned in 5.3 above. However, we will continue to advise our agents as to the importance of safety.

6. Training: As part of Ski Express Wales limited commitment to the Safety Management System, there will be a formal training programme relevant to all employees, at all levels, on an annual basis. At each training session, the allocation of responsibilities will be reviewed. Employees will be specifically trained in those areas of the Safety Management System for which they may be required to exercise responsibility.

A record of training undertaken will be maintained.

6.1 SMS Awareness. All employees of Ski Express Wales Limited will undergo SMS Awareness training and will be kept informed of the progress and latest development of the Safety Management System.

6.2 Emergency Procedure Training: Ski Express Wales limited will ensure that all appropriate staff receive training covering 24 hour emergency procedures on an annual basis.

7. Emergency Procedures.
7.1 The emergency Procedure Manual clearly defines the roles that all staff could carry out in the event of a serious incident involving Ski Express Wales Limited.

7.2 A Duty Officer of Ski Express Wales Limited is contactable 24 hours per day via a mobile phone. All group leaders on tour will be given details of how to contact the Duty Officer.

7.3 A Duty Kit will be provided to the Duty Officer. This will include outline details of the current groups on tour and emergency contact numbers for suppliers.

8. Other.

8.1 Group Leaders Inspection Visits. Ski Express Wales Limited undertakes to offer leader inspection visits to the most popular destinations. Each of these inspection visits will offer a minimum of 40 places free of charge to enable group leaders, who have not previously visited the area, to familiarise themselves with all aspects of the tour. Subject to making a booking based on 40 paying students.

9. Ski School
9.1 Ski Express Wales Limited only use the recognised Ski School at each resort. All instructors will hold a recognised Ski Instruction Certificate.