Health and Safety Executive

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority

The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) came into existence in April 1996. It is currently sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Health and Safety Executive is currently designated as the AALA.

The AALA’s role is to have oversight and responsibility for the efficient delivery of the licensing regime.  It sets the strategic direction for the regime, publishes guidance and monitors the delivery of the licensing service.

The AALA is chaired by David Ashton (HSE Director of Field Operations) and has members drawn from HSE Field Operations Division, Policy Group and from LG Regulation (formerly LACORS) representing local authorities.

There are two independent members whose role is to:

  • bring independent, external challenge to the AALAMB;
  • bring knowledge about the regulated sector to the AALAMB;
  • be an independent counsel;
  • be impartial and objective in their role;
  • be alert to the interests of those regulated;
  • contribute to decisions on future strategy;
  • contribute to policy development;
  • contribute to and support Board decisions;
  • participate in the licensing appeals process.

There are observers from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government.

The AALA publishes an Annual Report and you can find the most recent one on the right.

The AALA intends to carry out a review of the regulations in the near future and more details will be available here in due course.

The AALA is supported by a team drawn from HSE Field Operations and Policy Group.  The team takes an active role in dealing with the sector and key stakeholders. Its role includes:

  • providing support, advice and guidance at a national level to HSE operational inspectors, local authority Environmental Health Officers and the Adventure Activities Licensing Service inspectors;
  • developing and helping deliver HSE's plan of work;
  • developing strategies for the future direction of the licensing regime;
  • gathering intelligence about the health and safety performance of the sector;
  • working with key sector stakeholders to improve health and safety;
  • working with national and European bodies in the development of standards (CEN, BSI etc);
  • producing guidance for the industry and for inspectors;
  • monitoring and managing the work of the AALS.

General enquiries about individual licence holders and licensing matters should be made to the AALS in the first instance.  If the AALS are unable to answer your query, then you can contact the AALA at AALA@hse.gsi.gov.uk

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Updated: 13.07.11