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
ALISON BLUNT, ALASTAIR
OWENS
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 9 – Geffrye Museum
The Geffrye Museum specialises in the history of home, with a particular emphasis on middle-class
London homes from 1600 onwards, which are explored in the main galleries through a sequence of
period rooms. The collections encompass a wide range of domestic objects, such as furniture and
furnishings, artistic representations of domestic spaces, archival material documenting domestic life
and a library which supports the study of the home. The Museum is located in the former almshouses
of the Ironmongers’ Company, which were built in 1714. The three-hour visit to the Geffrye will begin
with a lecture on how the Museum seeks to represent homes from the early seventeenth century to
the present day, followed by time to explore the period rooms and gardens. The group will then reconvene to hear a talk about the Documenting Home collecting project and to discuss the ways in
which the museum’s curatorial and educational work engages with domestic spaces and practices in
the past.
1.30 – 2
2 – 2.30
2.30 – 3.15
3.15 – 4.30
4.30 – 5
Introduction to the Geffrye Museum: Emma Hardy, Collections Manager
The Centre for Studies of Home: collaborative research at the Geffrye and Queen Mary,
University of London: Alison Blunt and Alastair Owens, QMUL
Visit to the restored almshouse
Visit to the period rooms, including entry to the current exhibition ‘Homes of the
Homeless: seeking shelter in Victorian Britain’ and the display ‘Home and hope: young
people’s experiences of homelessness today.’
Optional tea in the restaurant (cost not included in the visit)
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2
ESTIMATED No OF
PARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
11
1
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
Exact Location of your field work trip
Geffrye Museum, East London
Local / regional Area
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 indoors.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be indoors. There may be uneven pavements and steps.
Participants will visit public buildings.
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 wear
comfortable footwear for the visit of the museum.
Participants warned about the risk.
1
X
1
= 1
Climate: indoors.
2.
Terrain/Location:
Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in
any buildings visited and to alter participants to
these.
Fieldtrip will be indoors.
There may be uneven
pavements and steps.
Participants will visit
public buildings.
3.
5
X
1
=
5
Participants alerted to risk.
Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks
and direct them clearly to safe routes.
1
X
1
= 1
5
X
1
=
5
Participants warned about the risk.
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,
1
X
1
= 1
Human activity:
Participants will be in
together in a group.
This can mean that
individuals cease
paying attention to their
own safety.
4.
5.
Work Procedures: lack of
awareness, slipping in an
unfamiliar environment.
General: Pre-existing
conditions, Food
intolerance/allergy, Foot
problems, Lack of fitness,
exhaustion.
3
6.
Behaviour: Participants
are adults from different
countries. There may
be unanticipated
differences or
misunderstandings.
1
X
1
=
1
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