Health And Safety Policy

1. Policy Statement

Whalebill Treks Africa is committed to safeguarding the health, safety, and wellbeing of all clients, employees, and partners. We follow national regulations and international best practices to ensure all tours and activities are safe, responsible, and responsive to emergencies.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All staff and management
Clients on tour
Third-party service providers and guides
All destinations, lodges, vehicles, and activities under Gorilla Pathfinders

3. Health and Safety Objectives

We aim to:

Prevent accidents, illness, and injury during tours
Promote hygiene, sanitation, and safe food handling
Ensure safe transportation, accommodation, and trekking conditions
Train staff in safety, first aid, and risk response
Comply with Uganda Tourism Board guidelines and Uganda’s Public Health Act

4. Key Safety Practices

a. Pre-Tour Checks

Inspect vehicles daily
Confirm health of guides and drivers
Ensure clients receive safety briefings before treks

b. During Tours

Provide clients with access to clean water, sanitizers, and masks
Follow Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) guidelines for gorilla and wildlife trekking
Enforce group size limits and distancing in sensitive ecosystems

c. Transport & Vehicles

Use licensed, roadworthy vehicles with seatbelts
Maintain emergency kits and radios in every vehicle
Limit driving hours and avoid night travel

d. Accommodation Partners

Partner only with lodges that meet hygiene and safety standards
Ensure proper waste disposal, clean water supply, and food safety

e. Emergency Response

Equip guides with first-aid kits and emergency contacts
Assign a safety officer for each multi-day trip
Have evacuation plans in place for remote areas

5. COVID-19 and Infectious Disease Control

Train staff on WHO-standard hygiene practices
Monitor traveller health pre- and post-tour
Work with Ministry of Health for updates and response plans

6. Staff Health and Training

Mandatory annual first-aid and safety training
Staff must report illness before or during trips
All team members are trained in customer safety and conflict resolution

7. Incident Reporting

All incidents must be reported within 12 hours
Maintain a log of health or safety concerns
Review incidents quarterly to improve practices

8. Review and Compliance

This policy is reviewed annually
Non-compliance by staff or partners may lead to disciplinary action
Gorilla Pathfinders remains accountable to UTB, UWA, and local health authorities

Signed by:
ATURINDE WELLEN
Position: Director, WHALEBILL TREKS AFRICA
Date: 22nd June 2025