Abstract
In Australia and worldwide led outdoor activity sectors experience adverse events that can cause injury, and in the worst cases, multiple fatalities. A known requirement for successful injury prevention is the ability to collect, analyze and disseminate appropriate data on injury and near miss incidents. Since 2011, the led outdoor activity sector in Australia has been engaged in a major program of research to address the lack of good quality data available on the frequency and causation of incidents associated with led outdoor activities (www.uploadsproject.org). The goal was to use state of the art accident causation theory and methods to develop a software tool to support organizations in collecting and analyzing their own incident and participation data and in turn contribute the data to a National Incident Dataset that is regularly analyzed and reported on. The ultimate goal was for the sector to use the system to better understand the risks it faces and take appropriate action. Accordingly, UPLOADS (Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Database) was developed and has recently been implemented as part of a 12 month national trial. This presentation gives an overview of UPLOADS and of the studies that were conducted during its development, testing and validation. It culminates with presentation of the findings from the 12 month national trial involving over 40 led outdoor activity providers, showing the system wide contributory factors involved in over 500 injury, illness, and near miss incidents.