FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT
MARITIME BOATING
STEP 1 – ENTER INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACTIVITY/TASK, ITS LOCATION AND THE PEOPLE COMPLETING THE RISK ASSESSMENT
Ra No.: [Local area RA
number if applicable]
Date: [Date RA
authorised]
School/Faculty/Department:
[Name School/Faculty/Department]
Version No.: [Version
number of the RA]
Review Date: [Date RA
due for review]
Date(s) of field work:
[Date(s)]
Assessed by (Field Work Supervisor):
[Supervisor’s Name]
Location of field work:
Provide the location of the field work. GPS coordinates etc could be added
especially where field work may be remote or isolated.
Are there any
licensing/permit
requirements?
Yes
No
Authorised by: [Position title of person authorising the RA]
Health and Safety Rep.:
[HSR or employee representative’s Name]
If “yes” provide details:
Person driving the boat requires a boat licence
Description of the field work including a brief itinerary:
Provide a description of the field work activity. Also provide some description of the conditions of the field work – eg remote, time of year
expected conditions, fresh water, sea water etc.
[This risk assessment is for boating activities that do not include diving].
List systems of work for undertaking the field work:
Training
SOPs
Risk assessments
Leader competency
Equipment
Guidance material
Emergency situations
Previous risk assessments
Field Work Plan
Field Work OHS Guidelines
Group briefing prior to departure
Is there past experience or background material regarding the
plant operation that may assist in the assessment
Existing controls
SOPs
Standards
Industry standards
Legislation and Codes
Training
Incident Investigation
Guidance material
OHS Act 2004
Outdoors Victoria: Adventure Activity Standards
Recreational Boating Safety Handbook
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Field Work OHS Guidelines
safety.unimelb.edu.au
Number of Participant(s):
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 1
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
STEP 2: SELECT A RISK RATING METHOD
TWO VARIABLE RISK MATRIX
THREE VARIABLE RISK CALCULATOR
(1) Definition of likelihood label
(1) Definition of exposure variable
Exposure
E
Continuously or many times daily
10
Frequently: Approximately once daily
6
Occasionally: Once a week to once a month
3
Infrequently: Once a month to once a year
2
Once every 10 years
Rarely: Has been known to occur
1
Very rarely: Not known to have occurred
0.5
Likelihood (Probability)
Level
Descriptor
Description
Expected to occur
A
Almost certain
The event will occur on an annual basis
B
Likely
The event has occurred several times or more Once every three years
in your career
C
Possible
Once a year or more
The event might occur once in your career
D
Unlikely
The event does occur somewhere from time
to time
Once every 30 years
E
Rare
Heard of something like the event occurring
elsewhere
Once every 100 years
(2) Definition of likelihood variable
L
Almost certain: The most likely outcome if the event occurs
10
(2) Definitions of consequence labels
Likely: Not unusual, perhaps 50-50 chance
6
Severity level
Consequences
Unusual but possible: (e.g. 1 in 10)
3
V Catastrophe
One or more fatalities and/or severe irreversible disability to one or more people
Remotely possible: A possible coincidence (e.g. 1 in 100)
1
IV Major
Extensive injury or impairment to one or more persons
Conceivable: Has never happened in years of exposure, but possible (eg 1 in 1,000)
0.5
III Moderate
Short term disability to one or more persons
Practically impossible: Not to knowledge ever happened anywhere (e.g. 1 in 10,000)
0. 1
II Insignificant
Medical treatment and/or lost injury time <2 weeks
(3) Definition of consequences variable
I Negligible
First aid treatment or no treatment required
(3) Risk rating calculator
Likelihood
Consequences label
label
I
II
III
IV
V
A
Medium
High
High
Very high
Very high
B
Medium
Medium
High
High
Very high
C
Low
Medium
High
High
High
D
Low
Low
Medium
Medium
High
E
Low
Low
Medium
Medium
High
safety.unimelb.edu.au
Adapted from HB 436: Risk management guidelines
Likelihood
Consequences
C
Catastrophe: Multiple fatalities
100
Disaster: Fatality
50
Very serious: Permanent disability/ill health
25
Serious: Non-permanent injury or ill health
15
Important: Medical attention needed
5
Noticeable: Minor cuts and bruises or sickness
1
(4) Risk Score Calculator
Risk Score = E x L x C
Risk score
Risk rating
> 600
Very high
300 - 599
High
90 - 299
Medium
< 90
Low
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 2
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
STEP 3 – IDENTIFY HAZARDS AND ASSOCIATED RISK SCORES AND CONTROLS
For each of the following prompts:
Hierarchy of Control (Control Type)

Check the box for each hazard that may potentially exist for the field work;
El – Elimination

Either:
o
if using the two variable risk matrix, determine and record the likelihood, consequences and the risk rating, or
S – Substitution
o
Sh – Shielding
En – Engineering
if using the three variable risk calculator, determine and record the exposure, likelihood, consequences and the risk score.
Is – Isolation
G – Guarding
In – Inspection

In the comments box, describe when and where the hazard is present;
A – Administrative
T – Training

Specify the risk control type from the hierarchy of control at right, for each current or proposed risk control;
M – Monitoring
H – Health Monitoring

Provide a control description for each current or proposed risk control; and
P – PPE

Determine the residual risk score using the same two variable risk matrix or three variable risk calculator used to determine the raw risk score.
Note:
Field work with a medium to very high risk score requires a Field Work Plan.
CATEGORY
RAW
RISK
COMMENTS (WHEN AND WHERE HAZARD IS PRESENT)
CONTROL
TYPE
SCORE
Can anyone be adversely affected by the ENVIRONMENTAL
conditions:
6 x 3 x 50
= 900
Extremes in temperature that could cause hyperthermia or
hypothermia
Very High
Weather conditions such as strong winds, rain or continuous
sunshine (high UV)
The location is difficult to access
The location is remote
The terrain is rocky, uneven, very step.
There are bodies of water such as dams, rivers or the ocean
Working at heights (eg abseiling)
Other – specify:

drowning

sea sickness

lost
Hot weather brings the risk of cramps, dehydration
and heat stress (leading to heat stroke if allowed to
continue) and sunburn.
Cold weather brings the risk of hypothermia and
frostbite.
Boat sinking/crew member falling overboard –
exposure to cold, drowning etc.
En
A
PPE
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
(CURRENT AND PROPOSED)
Chose seasons/times of least exposure and
weather extremes
Check weather forecast
Sunscreen
Protective Clothing, e.g. wet weather
Appropriate footwear such as rubber boots
Sun glasses
Sunscreen
Hat (preferably with broad brim)
Beanie for cold weather
Boat maintenance and up keep
Bucket with lanyard (attached to boat) to act
as a bailer
Bilge pumping system if boat has covered
bilge
Group members can swim a minimum of 100
meters
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB)
Each group member has a personal floatation
device (PFD)
Safety lines
Life buoy
Take adequate supplies of food and water
Group members should eat prior to embarking
Motion sickness medication –group members
to seek advice from a pharmacist/doctor
RESIDUAL
RISK SCORE
90
Medium
Requirements as listed in Emergency section
safety.unimelb.edu.au
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 3
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
CATEGORY
RAW
RISK
COMMENTS (WHEN AND WHERE HAZARD IS PRESENT)
CONTROL
TYPE
SCORE
Can anyone be adversely effected by the FAUNA and FLORA:
Poisonous fauna such as snakes, scorpions, octopi
3 x 3 x 25
= 225
(CURRENT AND PROPOSED)
Putting hand into water/collecting specimens – bites
and stings from aquatic creatures
A
See Manual Handling consideration
El
Boat maintenance and up keep
En
A
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon
(EPIRB) Itinerary – Field Work Plan
Fuel leak
A
MSDS for fuel

fire
PPE
Wear gloves if cleaning up leak

skin contact
T
Medium
Biting and stinging insects/arachnids
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
Known allergies to sensitivities to plants
First aid kit (ensure have compression bandage)
Brief group on the flora and fauna that they
may come encounter
Gloves
Requirements as listed in Emergency section
RESIDUAL
RISK SCORE
50
Low
Dense forest or undergrowth
Burrowing animals
Other – specify:
Can anyone be injured from the PLANT and/or EQUIPMENT used
during the field work:
Struck, crushed or entangled
Cut or stabbed
Shearing or friction
Slip, trip or fall
Manual handling/ergonomics
Vibration
3 x 1 x 50
= 150
Medium
50
Low
Other – specify:
Can anyone be injured or adversely effected by CHEMICALS
Storage
Handling
Decanting/Mixing
Applying/Using
Spill/Leak
Disposal
1 x 1 x 50
= 50
Low
Where ever possible full tank prior to activity to
avoid refueling at sea.
Spill kit for cleaning up fuel leaks
Other – specify:
Fire extinguisher
Can anyone be injured or adversely effected from the MANUAL
HANDLING requirements of the activity
Excessive effort
25
Low
Awkward postures
Repetitive body movement or posture
Lack of consideration for human behaviour causing mental or
physical stress
1 x 1 x 50
= 50
Low
Difficulty accessing water leading to:
En

dragging the boat long distances
A
Appropriate winching gear for taking the boat off
and on the trailer

excessive strain
T
Parking as close to water access as possible

awkward postures
PPE
Manual handling training
25
Low
SOP for unhooking and hooking up the boat
Other – specify:
OTHER
Other – specify:
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FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 4
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
STEP 4 – IDENTIFY THE SUPPORT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR FIELD WORK
For each of the categories describe:

Identify the requirements for each of the support system categories that will be used during the field work.

Describe the possible hazards or adverse outcomes that may be associated with the support system.

The specific controls to mitigate or reduce the possible hazards or adverse outcomes.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT
SYSTEMS:
POSSIBLE HAZARDS OR ADVERSE OUTCOMES
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
TRANSPORT
Using inadequate vehicle to tow boat resulting in car incident
Check vehicle is rated to tow boat prior to journey
Boat disconnects from vehicle during transport
Use vehicle rated to tow boat
(CURRENT AND PROPOSED0
Road vehicle/car
Four wheel drive
Mini bus
Bus
SOP for connecting boat to vehicle
Boat
Bicycle
Maintenance and up keep of car, boat and all associated towing equipment
Final inspection prior to undertaking journey
Other – specify: Difficulty accessing the water
Driving vehicle risk assessment
Driving vehicle SOP
COMMUNICATION and NAVIGATION
Mobile Phone
Land line
Satellite radio
Marine radio
Compass
Maps
Satellite navigation
Other – specify:
Communication may not work in remote locations especially under
maritime conditions when a distance from the shore:

often mobile phones will not provide service.
Communication equipment is lost/broken
Navigation system doesn’t work in remote location
Navigation system breaks down/battery runs out
Satellite phone for maritime conditions
Spare communication equipment
Check communication before commencing.
Training in communication
Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
Marine radio:

check it is working before leaving

participants all trained to use radio

check back up battery before leaving
Navigation system such as GPS:

check it is working before leaving

participants all trained to use satellite navigation

check back up battery before leaving
Carry compass and maps
FOOD and WATER
Not carrying sufficient food or water for the activity
Carry sufficient food and water
Take food in – Number of days: [Days]
Food poisoning
Energy food e.g. dried fruit, chocolate
Take water in – Number of litres: [Litres]
Drinking contaminated water
Emergency food supply if caught out longer than anticipated
Hygiene – water for washing
Litter/rubbish left behind/thrown in the water
Two liters of water or more per person may be required on hot days.
Hygiene – litter
Unsatisfactory toilet arrangements
Non-perishable food
Toilet arrangements and requirements
Unable to wash hands
Carry sufficient water
Other factors – specify:
Water purifying tablets
Bags for storing litter so it can be removed.
On board toilet arrangements or on smaller boats regular stops to shore.
Remove all litter (includes peelings, plastic, foil etc).
Adequate water for hand washing
safety.unimelb.edu.au
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 5
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING SUPPORT
SYSTEMS:
POSSIBLE HAZARDS OR ADVERSE OUTCOMES
CONTROL DESCRIPTION
LEGAL COMPLIANCE
Boat licence required for field trip
Person driving the boat must have boat licence
Fishing licence
Unskilled/licensed person in charge of the boat
More than one person with boat licence
Moisture gauge use licence
Licensed person in charge of the boat becomes ill
Identify locations that do not require permits/permission
Taking specimens from marine parks without a permit
Obtain any Marine Park permits that may be required
Boat licence
Firearms
Permits for National Parks entry/removal of specimens
(CURRENT AND PROPOSED0
Obtain any additional permits/permission that may be required
Fires in the open
Other – specify:
EMERGENCY PLAN
First aid arrangements
Communication arrangements
Closest help - remoteness
Transport arrangements
Medical conditions/fitness of participants
Other – specify: Boat breaks down/runs out of fuel
Sprain/strain and contusions – especially in rough conditions and
participants are tossed around the boat
Drowning
Sea sickness
Trained first aider – level of training appropriate to the activity
The leader should inform the participants of any unusual risks likely to be
encountered
Not being fit for the activity
Participants must inform the leader of any medical conditions likely to affect
their ability to undertake the walk (and advise of the appropriate treatment).

collapsing in a remote location
Field Work Plan

requires medical assistance
The following should be documented and carried on the walk and a copy kept
with a nonparticipating contact:
Trip plan/itinerary
Emergency strategy/plan
Participant’s emergency contact details
Participant’s medical conditions
Emergency trigger time for nonparticipant to notify emergency services of
failure to return
Contact details, including how they are best contacted of key emergency
organisations such as police, land manager
Consider appointing an assistant to the leader who is familiar with the
requirements of the activity and has the ability to competently participate in
emergency response procedures
Basic first aid kit
Additional first aid requirements – hypothermia
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA)
Personal floatation device (PDF) for each person on the boat
Distress Beacons – EPIRB and PLB
Carry additional fuel
Regular maintenance/servicing of boat
Check running conditions of boat prior to leaving
Carry spare fuel
safety.unimelb.edu.au
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 6
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.
STEP 5 – IMPLEMENTATION AND CONSULTATION PROCESS
Determine the person responsible for reviewing and implementing the risk assessment including the identified controls. For field work activities assessed as a medium to high risk, ensure that a Field Work Plan has been
completed, reviewed and signed off.
Obtain the authorisation of the management representative.
Ensure the HSR (if applicable) has been consulted. Ensure the participant(s) undertaking the fieldwork have been consulted.
Person Responsible for implementing the controls
Date:
Signature of management representative
Date:
Signature of HSR/employee representative
Date:
Field work participants
Date:
Multiple participants/groups will briefed on risk assessment
and field work prior to the activity
Date:
Date:
Extra writing room - use this page to enter extended comments or descriptions
Review:
Review risk assessment prior to each new field trip.
Review risk assessment where there is an incident with the field work or new information becomes available.
Emergency and First Aid procedures
Ensure that first aid procedures and resources are in place and available.
First aid risk assessment and procedures that take into account the risks associated with the field work and possible adverse outcomes.
All participants must have been briefed and be familiar with the field work and associated controls/plans prior to undertaking the field work.
Safety Equipment
For maritime boating activities the following is the minimum equipment that should be taken/supplied:

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) or lifejackets

Fire extinguisher (powered recreational vessel)

Bucket with lanyard (can also double as a bailer)

Bailer

Lifebuoy

Waterproof buoyant torch

Anchor and chain or line, or both

Distress flares, signals and rockets

Marine radio

Approved emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB)

Compass
For use in conjunction with the OHS risk management procedure and the Off-campus risk management procedure.
For further information, refer to http://safety.unimelb.edu.au/tools/risk/ or contact your local OHS practice expert.
safety.unimelb.edu.au
FIELD WORK RISK ASSESSMENT: MARITIME BOATING 7
Template date: 2 November 2013 Version: 1.0 Authorised by: Director, OHS and Injury Management Next Review: 2 November 2016
© The University of Melbourne – Uncontrolled when printed.