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
15/06/2015 CAMPUS DATE OF
ASSESSMENT:
SIGNATURE
OF ASSESSOR:
SIGNATURE
OF
SUPERVISOR:
STREATHAM
PRINT NAME
OF ASSESSOR
NICOLA THOMAS PRINT NAME
OF
SUPERVISOR
ALISON HESS
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?
On this half day trip delegates will hear about the work that geographers are doing to uncover the histories hidden in the Science Museum stores at Blythe House. Delegates will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of the stores and see some of the many objects not currently on display. The collections of the Science Museum offer particular challenges to researchers. This visit offers the opportunity to discuss ways in which historical geographers can engage with material culture as well as explore a world renowned science, technology, medicine and engineering collection.
11.00 Arrive and introduction to the store
11.10 Visit to the Engineering collection and talk by Noeme Santana about photography, Science
Museum CDA student
11.30 Visit to Lighting, and Weighing and Measuring store including talk by Katherine Platt, Assistant
Curator of Technology and Engineering. If time a quick visit to Space store.
11.50 Visit to the Communications collection including talk from Alice Haigh, Science Museum CDA student
12.30 Refreshments and reflections on the tour
13.00 Finish
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2 ESTIMATED No OF
PARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
12
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
Exact Location of your field work trip Blythe House, Kensington Olympia, London
1

Local / regional Area
UK based
Europe
Transatlantic
Current Home Office Security Level in the area(s) you will be visiting
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 indoors.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be indoors. Some of the rooms in Blythe House are small and narrow.
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.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Climate: indoors.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be indoors.
Some of the rooms in
Blythe House are small and narrow.
Participants will visit public buildings.
Human activity:
Participants will be in together in a group.
This can mean that individuals cease paying attention to their own safety.
Work Procedures: lack of awareness, slipping in an unfamiliar urban environment.
General: Pre-existing conditions, Food intolerance/allergy, Foot problems, Lack of fitness,
5
5
5
1
(C)
Consequenc e (1-5)
3
X
X
X
(L)
Likelihood
(1-5)
2
1
= (RS)
Risk
Score
(1-25)
= 5
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 x 1 = 1
= 5
Participants asked to carry water and wear sensible footwear to stay comfortable during the tour.
Participants warned about the nature of the museum. Advanced notice of any special needs is given to trip leader as this may affect the rooms which can be accessed.
Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in any buildings visited and to alter participants to these.
1
1 X 1 = 1
X 1
X 1
X 1
= 5
= 5
= 1
Participants alerted to risk.
Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks and direct them clearly to safe routes.
1
Participants warned about the risk; participants reminded to take care in unfamiliar environment.
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
1
X 1
X 1
X 1
= 1
= 1
= 1
3

6. exhaustion.
Behaviour: Participants are adults from different countries. There may be unanticipated differences or misunderstandings.
1 X 1 = 1 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