The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has just published a new standard that provides guidance to schools on how to manage risks during travel for students going on school trips.
Every year, millions of young people around the world take part in trips for a variety of reasons, including educational, training, religious, cultural and sporting. Schools and other educational institutions, youth organizations, charities, cultural and religious organizations, among others, provide opportunities for young people to travel for the above-mentioned reasons. The new standard guides organizations on how to manage travel risks, including how to act in the event of an accident.
ISO 31031, Risk management during travel for young people and school trips, provides guidance for both domestic and international travel, with particular emphasis on travel with minors.
The standard offers a range of options for addressing risks during travel-related activities. It also includes guidance on creating an emergency response plan.
Joël Marier, chairman of the technical committee of experts that developed the standard, said that ISO 31031 helps organisations to ensure the safety and well-being of children during travel, by providing them with opportunities to explore new places and to receive training for their development.
He said: “Travel organisers have a duty to look after children, young people and adults with disabilities who take part in travel. One of the guidelines in the standard includes care during travel, which should be provided to adults, teachers or instructors involved, as well as children and young people participating in them.
“One of the aims of this new standard is to promote the increase in the number of trips that serve children and young people participating in them. Organisations that provide travel for children and young people should consider the risks of travel and take precautions to manage them if they occur.
ISO 31031 was developed by ISO Technical Committee ISO/TC262, Risk Management, the secretariat of which is held by BSI, the ISO member for the UK.
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