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
HELEN CRESSWELL AND RUTH
MASON
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 3 – ‘South Kensington
and the 1862 International Exhibition through an urban walking tour and visit to the
Victoria and Albert Museum’
This visit will focus on the geographical legacy of the 1862 International Exhibition. It will be split into a
morning’s walking tour. Delegates will walk the footprint of the 1862 Exhibition and be shown the
impact it has had on the physical and metaphysical character of South Kensington. The walking tour
will conclude with a private opening and focused consideration of the Albert Memorial. This will
consider Albert’s connections to the 1862 International Exhibition and broader themes of the
nineteenth-century exhibition display culture, colonialism, imperialism and South Kensington as a
cultural quarter. Following lunch at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), there will be and
opportunity for delegates to examine documents and objects related to the 1862 Exhibition in the
museum. A handling session in the V&A archives has been arranged for delegates see catalogues,
guidebooks and other printed material related to the 1862 Exhibition and be shown objects displayed
at the event. The field day will close with a tour of galleries within the V&A dedicated to nineteenthcentury display and imperialism and the International Exhibitions in the British Gallery.
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2
ESTIMATED No
OFPARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
10
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
Exact Location of your field work trip
Walking tour in South Kensington; Victoria and
Albert Museum.
1
Local / regional Area
UK based
Europe
Transatlantic
Current Home Office Security Level in the area(s) you will be visiting
South Kensington, London
YES
NO
NO
N/A
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. The walking tour will take approximately three hours. The route is along
pavement the whole of the way, but there are some places without step free access.
Participants will visit public buildings. The visit to the V&A in the afternoon is likely to include climbing
stairs. Although most places within the V&A have step free access, depending on where the handling
session is held, this may not always be possible.
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.
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. The walking tour
will take approximately
3 hours.
Although most places
within the V&A have
step free access,
depending on where
the handling session is
held, this may not
always be possible.
Participants advised to wear comfortable shoes
for the extended walking tour.
Trip leaders will try to identify if step-free access is
possible and warn participants about the situation.
Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in
any buildings visited and to alter participants to
these.
Participants will visit
public buildings.
3
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; 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
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.
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.
4
5