Off-Site Safety Management (OSSM)
The definitive field safety training course for off-site and expedition leaders.
Off-Site Safety Management, commonly referred to as OSSM, is a 15-hour (two-day) continuing professional development (CPD) field safety training course owned, developed, and certified by the Royal Geographical Society.
OSSM is the foundational course for individuals at any experience level who are responsible for the safety and well-being of others during off-site activities, including school trips, fieldwork, expeditions, and other adventurous pursuits.
Delivered by the Society and a nationwide network of accredited trainers, the OSSM course establishes a benchmark for professional development in field safety and risk management. It is designed to equip participants with the essential knowledge and skills to effectively plan, manage, and evaluate off-site ventures.
The curriculum's influence is reflected in the development of the British Standard for overseas ventures, BS 8848, and the international standard for youth and school visits, ISO 31031. The Expedition Providers Association recognizes OSSM as a key “Further Professional Development” qualification for expedition leaders.
This page provides comprehensive guidance for anyone considering the OSSM course, as well as for current trainers seeking updates and recertification.
Course overview
The OSSM course provides a robust framework for understanding and implementing effective safety management systems. It is designed for a broad audience, from novices to seasoned practitioners, involved in any form of off-site activity.
Aims and learning outcomes
The primary goal of the OSSM course is to empower participants to confidently and competently manage the safety of individuals under their care in an off-site context. Upon completion of the course, attendees will have a heightened awareness of the critical issues involved in planning and executing safe and effective off-site visits.
The course is structured to facilitate the benchmarking of personal and institutional safety management practices against established standards and the experiences of peers from diverse organisational backgrounds.
Participants will delve into the key components of a comprehensive safety management system, covering the entire lifecycle of an off-site event:
- Planning: this includes a thorough assessment of the group's needs, appropriate staffing, comprehensive risk assessments, and ensuring legal compliance.
- Management: the course addresses the practicalities of managing a group during an off-site activity, including travel safety, venue security, and effective group supervision. It also covers the crucial aspect of contingency planning and incident management.
- Evaluation: a critical component of the course is understanding the importance of post-event evaluation to inform and enhance future safety practices.
A detailed course syllabus is available for download.
Duration and format
The OSSM course is usually delivered over two days, comprising 15 hours of training, but can be delivered in modular form over a longer duration. The format is interactive, encouraging discussion and the sharing of good practices among participants.
Intended audience
This course is invaluable for anyone with responsibility for off-site visits, including but not limited to:
- Teachers and Educational Visits Co-ordinators (EVCs)
- University lecturers and fieldwork demonstrators
- Expedition leaders and outdoor instructors
- Youth workers and leaders of community-based groups
- Operation staff in organisations seeking compliance with BS 8848
It is important to note that OSSM is a certificate of attendance and not a formal qualification to lead expeditions. The skills and knowledge gained are, however, considered essential for those in leadership roles.
How to gain OSSM certification
Off-Site Safety Management courses are delivered by a network of accredited trainers across the UK, as well as in-house at the Society's headquarters in London. We are the sole accrediting body for trainers.
All individuals who successfully complete the two-day course with an accredited trainer will receive a certificate of attendance from the Royal Geographical Society. The Society maintains a comprehensive record of all course attendees, allowing for verification by current or prospective employers.
How to become an accredited OSSM trainer
The Society is the only organisation authorised to train and accredit OSSM trainers. This ensures a consistently high standard of delivery and adherence to the course's core curriculum and ethos.
Individuals interested in becoming an accredited OSSM trainer must first meet a set of minimum competency requirements. Prospective trainers should possess extensive experience in leading expeditions or field activities and be able to demonstrate proficient training and/or teaching skills.
The pathway to becoming an accredited trainer involves the following steps:
- Meet competency requirements: candidates must have a strong background in expedition or field activity leadership.
- Attend an OSSM course: prospective trainers must first attend a standard two-day OSSM course as a delegate. It is recommended that this is undertaken at the Society in London.
- Complete the 'Training the Trainers' course: following successful completion of the OSSM course, candidates must then attend a one-day 'Training the Trainers' course.
Upon successful completion of this process, individuals will be registered as an accredited OSSM trainer, enabling them to deliver the course through their own training establishments or as freelance trainers.
For further information on the competency requirements and the process of becoming an OSSM trainer, please contact explore@rgs.org
Off-Site Safety Management FAQs
When will the next OSSM course be held at the Society?
Please take a look at our upcoming events listings for scheduled dates. Courses are typically run several times per year. If no events are shown, please enquire directly on explore@rgs.org
Does the OSSM course result in a formal qualification?
Currently, the OSSM is an attendance-based course, and a formal qualification is not available. All successful attendees will be issued a certificate of attendance by the Royal Geographical Society, which is widely recognised as the industry standard for off-site safety training.
Are CPD points available for OSSM?
Yes – 10 CPD points are available upon completing the course and receiving certification.
We are keen to run the OSSM course at our venue. How can we go about doing this?
If your organisation does not have its own accredited OSSM trainer, the Society can assist by either providing a trainer or connecting you with a registered trainer who can be contracted to deliver the course at your location.
Is the OSSM course the same as the EVC course?
No. The one-day Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC) course is specifically designed for individuals holding the EVC position within a school. The two-day OSSM course has a much broader scope and is relevant to a wider range of off-site activities and contexts. Many EVCs choose to attend an OSSM course as a progression from their initial EVC training.
What is the relationship between OSSM and the British Standard BS 8848?
The British Standard BS 8848, which outlines the requirements for providing educational visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities overseas, was originally based on the OSSM curriculum. Consequently, the OSSM course is highly relevant for the staff, particularly operations staff, of any organisation that wishes to implement robust safety management procedures and/or claim compliance with BS 8848.
Are any discounts available on the courses?
Yes – one of the many benefits of Society membership is a significant discount on all our events, including OSSM and 'Training the Trainers' courses. Find out more about becoming a member.
Question not answered here?
Contact our team directly on explore@rgs.org. We will endeavour to respond to your enquiry within 10 working days.
BS 8848: the British Standard for overseas ventures
The definitive framework for operations, field safety and risk management in ventures and activities outside the UK.
ISO 31031: Managing risk for youth and school trips
This new international standard, developed with Society expertise, helps ensure safer youth and educational trips overseas.
Health and safety policy for field-based activities
The Society helps you ensure that you can undertake field-based activities in a safe and responsible manner.