Why an Operation Review Could Be the Most Valuable Step You Take This Year
In the aerial adventure and challenge course industry, most incidents today aren’t caused by broken equipment structural failures. Instead, they stem from human factors – gaps in supervision, incomplete training, poor policies, or inconsistent adherence to established procedures.
The good news? These issues are preventable. One of the most effective tools for identifying and correcting them is an Operation Review conducted by a qualified professional.
What Is an Operation Review?
According to ANSI/ACCT 03-2019 O.S.B.2.7., “The organization shall engage in a review of its practices by an external qualified person(s), at least once every five (5) years.”
Beyond meeting standards, an Operation Review helps you:
Strengthen daily operations
Reduce the likelihood of incidents
Meet insurance provider requirements
At Synergo, we:
Assess your alignment with ANSI/ACCT 03-2019 Operation Standards
Observe your program in action
Review your documentation
Interview staff and management
This process reveals not only compliance gaps, but also disconnects between policy, training, and actual practice. We then provide a detailed report with improvement recommendations, and meet with your leadership team to review findings and next steps.
What We’ve Learned This Season
After conducting reviews across a variety of operations, both seasonal non-profits and commercial aerial adventure operations, we’ve seen patterns:
1. Periodic Inspection Systems Need Strengthening
Many sites have documentation systems for periodic inspections that could be more robust. In some cases, in-house staff need additional training on exactly how to perform these inspections and what to look for on their specific course.
2. Risk Management Systems Are Often Missing
We’ve found that a surprising number of operations lack formal risk management systems. This can include internal safety audits, a standing safety committee, and structured review of incidents and near misses to identify trends and recommend changes.
3. Ongoing Training & Observation Aren’t Consistent
While many sites bring in professional trainers for new-hire training, fewer have well-defined systems for in-house observation of staff, ongoing training, rescue refreshers, and skill checks throughout the season. These follow-up measures are critical to keeping skills sharp and protocols consistent.
The Takeaway
An Operation Review isn’t just about compliance, it’s about building a culture of safety, consistency, and continuous improvement. Addressing gaps in inspections, risk management, and ongoing staff development now can dramatically reduce the likelihood of costly incidents later.
If it’s been more than five years since your last Operation Review, or if you’ve never had one, now is the time.
Contact Synergo to schedule your review and set your operation up for a safer, smoother, and more successful season ahead.