School of Archaeology & Ancient History
Year:
RA4
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT FIELDWORK RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
This document should be completed by any Postgraduate (PG) or Undergraduate (UG) student
undertaking research in the UK or overseas (e.g. dissertation work).
The School considers that fieldwork safety is an important part of your training.
You must take it seriously.
Before you go into the field/urban environment you must have a safety discussion with your supervisor
(or in the case of self-directed practical work carried out as part of a taught course, your Module coordinator). This form is a vehicle for the discussion: it is not intended to be a complete record of your safety
deliberations and actions, which you should develop daily as you work in the field.
Before a safety discussion with your supervisor/Module co-ordinator, you should think about some of
the safety issues, then start filling in the form, and start collecting the relevant information (see below). Then
complete this form in discussion with your supervisor/module co-ordinator and submit it before you go into
the field. Where possible, try to involve someone in the discussion who has experience of working in your
field area, or similar/nearby area.
If appropriate, obtain topographic maps or photos of your field area for this assessment. Staple photocopies
of any maps of your field area to this form and, where appropriate, annotate your itineraries, the main
hazards, and (for remote areas) the main points of communication (e.g. towns, villages, phones, bridges,
roads, cliff access paths at coasts etc.). If working abroad, attach a photocopy of your passport and visa (if
required). When you have completed the form, keep a copy yourself. Your supervisor/module co-ordinator
should keep a copy as well as a copy being forwarded to the Departmental Safety Officer.
IMPORTANT: If you do not submit a completed Fieldwork Risk Assessment Form that has been signed by
your supervisor/module co-ordinator, the School assumes you have not gone into the field, and will not
support your fieldwork.
Please write clearly in capitals or type. Do not leave any sections blank. Write N/A where the question is not
applicable to your research.
SECTION ONE: PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name......................................................…………………………………………….............................…..
Leicester address………………………...…........................……….......................................................
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Postcode..……………….Telephone number........………………...........…Email…………………………
Passport number (if going abroad)……………………………………………………………………………
Next of kin (spouse/parent)………………………………………………………………………………….…
Address…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………
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Postcode……………… Telephone number………………..………………Email……………….………...
Do you have any special medical conditions and/or disabilities that may affect your well-being, in the field
and/or in the event of an emergency?
*YES / NO
What will you do to cope with this?……………………………………………………………………………
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Have you appropriate Travel/accident/rescue/medical insurance?
*YES / NO
Give full details (company/policy number/validity dates/amount of cover) and or attach photocopy of
certificate
and
details……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
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School of Archaeology & Ancient History
Year:
RA4
SECTION TWO: THE STUDY AREA & LOGISTICS
Location and Country……………………………………..…………………………………………..…........
Period of fieldwork ...../..../ 20....
to ...../..../ 20...
Flight plan & flight details (if applicable)..………..........…........................................................................
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Any other transport details…..…………………......…......................................................................…….
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Do you have a valid passport, visa, and local permit?
*YES / NO (delete as appropriate)
Checkout the latest Foreign Office travel safety advice: http://www.fco.gov.uk/reference/travel_advice/
(Local Permits are required by law to research in some countries).
Type of accommodation in field area………..…………………………………………………………………
Give FULL address of the main base where you will staying (or moving from and returning too) during your
fieldwork (this may be someone’s house, a hotel, hostel, or an institute), and also the name, and particulars
of your local contact who will be at this base, and contactable while you are off in the field (e.g. local
collaborator, member of staff at an institute, hotelier or hostel warden………………………..
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Postcode………………………… Tel:……………………………………….. Email……….………….……..
Is there any other way you could be contacted? (e.g. a more local, temporary address – give details…
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Will you be accompanied daily in the field (e.g. by your supervisor, field assistant, local collaborator, local
guide, or driver) *YES / NO / SOME OF THE TIME
If yes, give full name of the person/s who will accompany you. If they are not from this department, what is
their status, and full contact address. …………………….…………….…………………………….
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Postcode…………………….. Phone number …………..………… Email .…………………………………
State periods (e.g. dates/times) when you expect not to be accompanied...………..…………..………..
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Are there any special hazards this poses. What will you do to mitigate them?…………………………...
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Who will be informed on a daily basis of your whereabouts and planned routes?………………………..
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School of Archaeology & Ancient History
Year:
RA4
How will he/she be informed? (We recommend you use a daily log sheet if this is appropriate)………
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Explain what arrangements you will make/have made with your partner/local contact in the event of
your failing to return at the end of a day’s fieldwork............…………..……………………………………..
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Describe your intended travel schedule around your field area. Use an additional sheet if you need
more space and/or indicate your route(s) on the map………………………………………………………..
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The School recommends that if working abroad, you carry a card stating your name, your local and
School contact addresses, your medical and insurance details, and a brief sentence written in the
local language that explains who you are and what you are doing.
SECTION THREE: THE RISK ASSESSMENT
Please consider any hazards that you may be exposed to during your work. Read through the list of
potential hazards below that you may have to consider. Think about who might be exposed to the
hazard and the likelihood of this taking place.
Risk is the combination of the hazard with the physical eventuality of the incident and the probability of it
happening. Think about the actions you will take to reduce the risk to acceptable levels. Complete the
table on the next page.
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Are there any particular health risks in the area?
Are parts of your field area remote? What hazards does this remoteness present? Do you have
adequate navigational skills (i.e. map reading)?
Is there hazardous high ground?
Will you be carrying heavy loads?
Are there fast flowing streams or rivers?
Will you encounter any illnesses due to contaminated water, food or poisonous vegetation? What
vaccinations might be you need (e.g. for Tetanus/Malaria/Cholera/Typhoid/Hepatitis/Meningitis/
Diphtheria/Polio/ Yellow Fever/animal bites)
Are there steep cliffs or crags in the area?
Are there coastal areas, with hazards from waves, slipping, and currents?
Are there areas where you could be cut off by the tide?
Are there potential problems with cold/snow/ice/fog or other weather conditions?
Are there likely to be problems of heat and lack of water?
Will you be required to drive in the destination country?
Are there any hazardous road sections in the area?
Are you aware of certain cultural dress codes and social attitudes and have conceived exit
strategies?
Will you be using any hazardous equipment on the course?
Will students be required to work alone for any period of time on the course?
Are there areas in which students will be expected to work alone or in groups that could be unsafe,
such as certain urban areas?
Do any activities require night-time travel in urban areas?
School of Archaeology & Ancient History
HAZARD
Potential hazards which
you could reasonably
expect to result in
significant harm, e.g.:
 Slipping/tripping
hazards
 Fire/electricity
 Working at
height/depth
 Poor lighting
 Low/high
temperatures
 Manual handling
 Moving Vehicles
Year:
EVALUATE THE RISK: IS RISK
ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED?
Evaluate the risk to yourself and
others. How likely is it likely to
happen – what will happen if it
does.
Take precautions against the
risks from the hazards listed,
e.g.,
 Adequate information
 training?
 Adequate procedures
Do the precautions:
 Meet standards set by the
School of Archaeology &
Ancient History?
 Represent good practice
 Reduce risk as far as
reasonably practical?
RA4
IS FURTHER ACTION
NECESSARY TO
CONTROL RISK?
What more could you
reasonably do for
inadequately controlled
risk?
Try to:
 Remove risk/take
less risky way
 Prevent
access/reduce
exposure to hazard
 Use protective
equipment/first aid
List Hazards Here
Evaluate the risk (high/low)
Controls/Info sources
Other actions
List Hazards Here
Evaluate the risk (high/low)
Other actions
School of Archaeology & Ancient History
Year:
RA4
Controls/Info sources
For some areas, your first-aid kit should include anti-histamines, puritabs, iodine, sterile syringes, antibiotics,
rehydrate powders, pain killers and Imodium, in addition to items normally in UK kits – seek medical advice.
Plans in the event of a medical emergency?
Please describe them, including the emergency services phone number (999 in the UK), and locations of
nearby
hospitals…………..…………………………………………………………………………..…………………..
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Please state any other possible hazards/problems you may encounter during your fieldwork, and your plans
to minimize/mitigate these. Also provide any other pertinent information regarding your fieldwork schedule,
and any other information the School might need in the event of a problem (e.g. disabilities).
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School of Archaeology & Ancient History
Year:
RA4
SECTION FOUR: THE DECLARATION
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I have read and understood the instructions given in the School Safety Handbook.
I have considered the safety hazards in the field/urban area I have chosen to visit. I have examined the
area on an appropriate map, and I have increased my awareness of the type of terrain and the hazards
it poses to safety. I have considered how to minimise the risk to my field partner/assistant (if
appropriate) and myself during fieldwork and travel.
If necessary, I will carry a first-aid kit, torch, whistle, map and compass at all times where necessary
during my fieldwork. I know the appropriate distress call using a whistle or torch.
I will not rock climb, scramble over hazardous crags, or put myself into any dangerous situations. I will
not enter any mines or caves, or work on verges of working railways or motorways, on my own or
without permission. I will use a safety helmet wherever I judge safety requires it.
I have appropriate boots, and in remote areas I will carry spare food & water, spare warm clothing,
waterproofs and a survival bag, so that in the event of injury I can keep warm and dry.
My fieldwork partner/assistant/local contact will be aware of any medical condition I have that may
require special treatment/medication.
I can locate myself in the field, and I can navigate using topographic maps, and a compass. If using
GPS, I have learnt how to use it, and have checked that my equipment is working (e.g. with good
batteries).
I undertake to leave a copy of my plans at my place of residence, with instructions for a contact in the
event of my failure to return.
I have discussed risk mitigation with my supervisor/module co-ordinator, including what to do if I get lost
or injured.
I will adhere to the countryside code. I will seek permission for access prior to walking through any
private land, and I will not climb over fences, hedges or walls. I will take all reasonable safety
precautions in quarries.
I accept full responsibility for my safety whilst undertaking individual fieldwork. I am satisfied that the
School has provided me with a reasonable and appropriate instruction for the fieldwork, and that no-one
in the School compels me to undertake any activity that is unreasonably hazardous.
If appropriate, I have attached an annotated topographic map of my planned route, along with
photocopied passport details if working abroad, to this form.
Signature.................................................………...
Date........./......./..............
Print Name.................................................……….…….
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SUPERVISOR/MODULE CO-ORDINATOR (if necessary for UG/PG work):
I have discussed the above student’s field safety and security arrangements for his/her coming fieldwork.
Supervisor/Module Co-ordinators signature...................................………...ate........./......./..............
Print Name.................................................……….
Sign this form only after (1) you have discussed the safety of the planned fieldwork with the student using
this form, and (2) you are satisfied that, to the best of your knowledge, the ‘actions’ listed above have been
reasonably considered. If you are in doubt, please consult the School Safety Officer.
Please ensure signed (by student and supervisor) copies of this form go to:
 You, the supervisor
 The student
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER (Only if significant concerns have been discussed):
Received/Filed by Departmental Safety Officer...................……...
Date........./......./..............
(Note that the School Safety Officer does NOT need to sign this form before issue to student)