FIELDWORK RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Section 1: General Information about your fieldwork trip
SCHOOL/DEPARTMEN
T:
Geography, on behalf of
the International
Conference of Historical
Geographers
COLLEGE:
CLES
DATE OF
ASSESSMENT:
SIGNATURE
OF ASSESSOR:
15/06/2015
CAMPUS
STREATHAM
PRINT NAME
OF ASSESSOR
NICOLA THOMAS
SIGNATURE
OF
SUPERVISOR:
PRINT NAME
OF
SUPERVISOR
RUTH CRAGGS
DESCRIPTION OF YOUR FIELDWORK TRIP:
Please describe in detail when and where you are going and what activities you plan to do whilst you
are there?
International Conference of Historical Geographers – Fieldtrip 6 – Finsbury and the City
This walking tour will explore the history of public housing – and architectural modernism in east and
central London. It begins in Finsbury (EC1) which, in the first half of the twentieth century, was one of
the most progressive local authorities in the country, building lots of social housing and experimenting
with high rise forms. It concludes with the architecturally iconic Golden Lane and Barbican estates,
which are now some of the most desirable addresses in London. The walk begins at Angel station,
from where we will walk towards Barbican, taking a circuitous route through some of central London’s
most interesting housing estates. On route we will see the evolution of ideas of social housing, from
late nineteenth century London County Council built blocks, through to innovative high quality council
housing designed by Lubetkin of the firm Tecton (also famous for their design of the Penguin Pool at
London Zoo) and completed in 1946, and the high rise towers of the 1960s. We will finish by exploring
the now much sought after housing in the 1950s Golden Lane Estate (Chamberlain, Powell and Bonn),
and the Barbican (also Chamberlain, Powell and Bonn, completed 1976), one of the best examples of
brutalism (on an epic scale) in London. Much of the housing in the area reflects the progressive
make-up of the local council responsible for many of the examples we will see (up until the 1960s this
was Finsbury), and the walk will also allow us to reflect on the economic geographies of the area, its
radical political history, and how these in turn have shaped its housing landscape. Along the way we
will stop for coffee, and we will finish the trip with a drink at the Barbican and a choice to join us for
dinner close by.
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2
ESTIMATED No OF
PARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
13
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
1
Exact Location of your field work trip
Finsbury, the Barbican, central London
housing estates walking tour
Local / regional Area
East and Central London
YES
NO
NO
N/A
UK based
Europe
Transatlantic
Current Home Office Security Level in the area(s) you will be visiting
Section 3: the Hazards involved in the work you are planning
Highlight the relevant hazards in the list below
Climate: Based in UK urban areas with potential exposure to sun, wind and rain. Temperatures could
fall between 13 and 28 degrees depending on weather conditions.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be in urban location with sustained traffic on nearby streets. There may be uneven
pavements and steps.
Biological: NONE
Chemical: NONE
Mechanical: NONE
Electrical: NONE
Human Activity: Participants will be in together in a group. This can mean that individuals cease
paying attention to their own safety.
Recreation: NONE
Work Procedures: Participants will be travelling as a group. We will be in an urban location so a
possible hazard could be assault or theft. People may have less awareness of their position and step
into the road or slip off pavements. There is a risk of injury in relation to trips and falls and accidents
involving cars.
Work Abroad: n/a
Other Stressors:
General: Pre-existing conditions, Food intolerance/allergy
Behaviour: Participants are adults from different countries. There may be unanticipated differences or
misunderstandings.
Legal problems: NA
Security: NA
2
Section 4 – Your assessment of the risks (Risk Assessment)
1
Hazard
number
What is the hazard (e.g.
low temperature, falling
rocks)
1.
(C)
Consequenc
e (1-5)
X
3
X
5
X
(L)
Likelihood
(1-5)
=
(RS)
Risk
Score
(1-25)
Action to be taken to control the risk (please list all
actions you will be taking)
Residual Risk (the remaining
risk once your controls are
put in place)
C
X
L
=
RS
2
=
5
1
x
1
= 1
1
=
5
Participants asked to carry water and weather
protection clothing (including sunscreen, hats and
wet weather gear).
Field leaders to carry sunscreen
Field leaders to remind participants to carry water
and apply sun cream at the start of the trip if they
are outside for significant time.
Participants warned about the risk; participants
reminded to use pavements and pedestrian
crossing points. Participants informed about
length of walking tour and advised to wear
comfortable shoes.
1
X
1
= 1
1
X
1
= 1
Climate: sun rain, wind exposure
2.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be in urban
location with sustained
traffic on nearby
streets. There maybe
uneven pavements and
steps. Walking tour will
last approximately 3
hours.
3.
Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in
any buildings visited and to alter participants to
these.
5
Human activity:
Participants will be in
together in a group.
This can mean that
individuals cease
paying attention to their
own safety.
Specific aspects
requiring attention
include disembarking
from transport and
crossing roads.
X
1
=
5
Participants alerted to risk.
Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks
and direct them clearly to safe routes.
3
4.
5.
6.
Work Procedures: lack of
awareness, slipping in an
unfamiliar urban
environment. Lacking
attention to traffic.
General: Pre-existing
conditions, Food
intolerance/allergy, Foot
problems, Lack of fitness,
exhaustion.
Behaviour: Participants
are adults from different
countries. There may
be unanticipated
differences or
misunderstandings.
5
X
1
=
5
Participants warned about the risk; participants
reminded to use pavements and pedestrian
crossing points;
1
X
1
= 1
1
X
1
=
1
1
X
1
= 1
1
X
1
=
1
Participants asked to disclose pre-existing
medical /dietary conditions which may cause risk .
Participants have been asked to indicate dietary
requirements so allergic reactions are unlikely to
be a problem.
Field leaders will be reminded to call emergency
services should any need arise,
This is unlikely to cause difficulties as participants
share a common bond. Field leader to be aware
of group dynamics and to diffuse any tensions.
1
X
1
= 1
4
5