A Cultural Risk Assessment of Led Outdoor Activities

This study examines cultural risks in led outdoor activity programs, highlighting how cultural perceptions and system design factors interact to influence safety context. Using Hofstede’s dimensions and social identity factors (e.g., ability, gender, ethnicity, social class), the analysis reveals how a Western paradigm can misalign with participants’ and local cultural norms. The authors adapted the NET-HARMS risk assessment method (Dallat et al., 2017) to examine cultural perceptions in program design, planning, and delivery through a mock scenario. The analysis achieved acceptable validity and revealed a significant increase in identified risks when culture was considered in risk assessment, indicating culture’s significant role in overall risk management. Contextualizing these findings within the Mangatepopo Canyon tragedy and safety science, this paper offers a pathway to more culturally relevant and ultimately safer LOA programs. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.