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
GEORGINA ENDFIELD,
SIMON NAYLOR
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 17 – ‘Historical
Geographies of weather watching in London’.
This trip is intended as an introduction to historical weather observation in London dating back to the
18th century. We will begin in the RGS-IBG's own collections, considering a range of materials and
artefacts housed there, including correspondence between people who played a key role in both the
RGS and meteorological organisations. From here we will head to the Royal Society where we will be
given a tour of the premises and an introductory talk about archives. We will be able to look at a
variety of 18th and 19th century meteorological registers, drawings of instruments, and materials
pertaining to key figures interested in meteorology and weather watching. These include Luke Howard,
Robert Hooke and Admiral Fitzroy. Our attention will then turn to hearing more about a number of
such key figures in the field of weather and meteorological observation, with a walking/ tube tour of
their homes, some of which doubled as early weather stations. These include Admiral Robert Fitzroy's
home (38 Onslow Square, Kensington) and Francis Galton's house in 42 Rutland Gate, Westminster.
We will then make our way by tube to Camden, and specifically to 62 Camden Square, the home of
George J. Symons, founder of the British Rainfall Organisation, meteorological reporter to the
registrar-general and twice president of the Royal Meteorological Society. This site also doubled as
the home of the BRO itself and the place of Symon's own weather station in the back garden of this
house. We intend to present short talks at each venue and while we will be visiting sites associated
with a mostly professional meteorological scientific endeavour, our discussion during these visits will
include references to the work or London based amateur meteorologists, a subject which we pick up
with respect to Symons work with the BRO in particular. We will end the day by visiting the venue
where the London Meteorological Society met- the London Coffee House in Ludgate Hill (now a public
house). The Society represents the first official network of meteorological observers, dating back to
1823. Members of this society went on to found the Meteorological Society, latterly the Royal
Meteorological Society.
1
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2
ESTIMATED No OF
PARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
15
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
Exact Location of your field work trip
Central London (Royal Geographical Society,
Royal Society, Westminster, Camden, Ludgate
Hill)
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 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.
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 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
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.
Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in
any buildings visited and to alter participants to
these.
Participants will visit
public buildings.
3.
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
X
1
=
5
Participants alerted to risk.
Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks
and direct them clearly to safe routes.
3
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.
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