School of Biosciences
Fieldwork Risk Assessment Form for: UG research project: Write your title here
Please refer to Fieldwork check list and guide to risk assessment
Name of Assessor:
Write your name here
Signature
Your name
Name of Supervisor
Write your supervisors
details here
Signature
Authorisation
Date:
Contact Number
Signature
Personnel Contact Details:
Name(s) and Contact details for all fieldworkers:
Write YOUR contact details here
Press tab for new lines
Project Description: e.g Assessing the influences of water quality and habitat parameters
on Water shrew distribution in Cornwall.
Site Location(s): e.g Various sites throughout Cornwall
Date of Field Work and Transport Arrangements
This is very important, if necessary attach details (eg flights on separate sheet)
Insurance Details. (This must be arranged with the University Insurance Office)
Risk Assessment: this is an example of risks for the above project, you should
amend as appropiate
1. Physical hazards (High, medium or low risk) -- delete as appropriate
 Falling (medium)
 Drowning (medium)
 Getting lost (medium)
Measures taken to minimize risks
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Falling – Wear appropriate footwear and clothing, keep to footpaths.
Drowning – do not enter deep water, keep behind any barriers e.g. fencing etc
Getting lost – Use maps and GPS, tell someone where you are going, have mobile phone.
2. Climatic hazards (High, medium of low risk) ----delete as appropriate
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Hypothermia (medium)
Hyperthermia (Medium)
Sun stroke (Medium)
Measures taken to minimize risks
.
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Hypothermia – Wear warm, waterproof clothing (hat, coat, gloves etc), take food and warm drinks in
back pack out into the field
Hyperthermia – Wear appropriate clothing for the weather – Sun protection: sun hat, sun cream
etc... carry drinks and food.
Sunstroke- wear sun protection, carry food and drink.
3. Anthropogenic hazards (high, medium or low risk)-- delete as appropriate

Is the work likely to cause suspicion or resentment of the public, farmers, home
owners etc. Has relevant permission been received?

Working on privately owned land
Measures taken to minimize risks
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Make sure permission is granted to work at all sites
Emergency Procedures
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Phone designated persons (Name of contact) and inform them of any problems or accidents on site.
If an accident occurs and fieldworkers are able to deal with the situation themselves, they should
alert the local Accident and Emergency Department of the nearest hospital and inform them of the
situation and the estimated time of arrival at hospital. If unable to do this then phone the emergency
services and give approximate location using GPS or OSNI map.
Following this, inform the Fieldwork Supervisor (Your supervisor’s name) that an accident has
occurred.
Contact designated persons (Name of contact) before and at the end of fieldwork informing those
persons that the fieldwork has been completed without problems.
First Aid & Safety Arrangements
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Carry a First Aid kit.
Carry a charged mobile phone at all times.
Report in when finished survey.
Emergency Numbers:
Tremough or Streatham Call-in number
Name and contact number of Biosciences contact person based in the School (ideally from your group)
Biosciences department (Tremough) (0)1326 371800
Write the name and number of your ‘Buddy’ contact here
Local District Conservation Office (or equivalent) Contacts
Name and contact number of local DCO
Local Contacts
Name and contact number of local personnel
Hospitals
Names and contact numbers of local and regional hospitals or other health centres
School of Biosciences
Declaration of Compliance
I have read and fully understood the Fieldwork Risk Assessment and acknowledge
having done so:
I declare that I have read the School's Field Code of Practice and will abide by the
instructions contained therein:
CODE OF CONDUCT
Members of fieldwork groups should be aware that they will be regarded as representatives of the
University by locals and other people encountered, and any unsociable or offensive behavior will be
interpreted accordingly.
The School expects that all staff and students participating in field work and also during free
periods within fieldwork projects/courses will behave in a manner that will not bring the University
into disrepute.
I agree to abide by the School's code of conduct:
Write your name here
I declare that I have received all recommended immunisations for this field work and
that I have declared and health issues that may put me or colleagues at risk on this
trip:
Write your name here
Signed fieldworker(s)…………………................................................
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Signed fieldwork coordinator………write your supervisors name here..........................
Date..................................................................
THE SCHOOL SUPPORTS THE UNIVERSAL ETHICAL CODE FOR SCIENTIST
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
The information given on this form will greatly assist the Emergency Services and
allow your family to be quickly informed. This may mitigate the consequences of your
injuries and alleviate unnecessary concern. The information you give is voluntary
and will be kept safe and treated in the strictest confidence. You may omit to answer
any of the questions you wish. Please return to Anna Leonard or Michelle Hares at
Tremough
***
PERSONAL DETAILS
Full Name • your name
Home Address• your address
Term time:
Post Code •
Date of Birth •
Home Telephone
PERSON TO CONTACT IN AN EMERGENCY
Name •
Address •
...................................................................................................................
..............
Post Code •
Telephone
MEDICAL DETAILS
Please specify any medical condition (e.g. asthma, allergies, diabetes,
etc)•
Please specify any medication you take regularly •
Doctor’s Name •
Address •
Post Code •
Telephone
***A copy of this should be provided for all members of field trip
March 2008
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FIELDWORK
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION / RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
SECTION ONE:REF. No:
ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
DATE:
SCHOOL: Tremough campus
REVIEW DATE: (annually?):
VALID UNTIL:
SITE: Bioscience
REMEDIAL ACTION REQUIRED?
NO
BUILDING:
SIGNATURE
OF ASSESSOR: your name
REMEDIAL ACTION PRIORITY?
HIGH 
MEDIUM  LOW
SIGNATURE
OF SUPERVISOR:
PRINT NAME
OF ASSESSOR your name
PRINT NAME
OF SUPERVISOR
ROOM:

FIELDWORK ACTIVITY: e.g Assessing the influences of water quality and habitat parameters on Water shrew
distribution in Cornwall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
e.g. Collecting habitat and water quality measures at a variety of sites within Cornwall.
ESTIMATED No OF STAFF AT RISK:
None
SECTION TWO
ESTIMATED No OF STUDENTS AT RISK:
None
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Identify HAZARDS and circle KEYWORDS
(HAZARD = something with the potential to cause harm)this is an example for the above fieldwork
HAZARDS
KEYWORDS
Climate: Storm/Rain:- Lightning, Snow/Sleet, Hypothermia, Snow blindness, Wind (blown over), wind chill,
Mist/fog/low cloud:- Getting lost, Sun/Heat:- UV exposure, Sunburn, High temperatures, Heat exhaustion, Heat Stroke,
Low temperatures:- Hypothermia / Frostbite.
Terrain/Location: Uplands:- Loose/falling rocks, Falls, Mudslides, Reduced oxygen, Lowlands (inc. below ground) :Soft ground, Roof fall, Radon, Floods, Oxygen deficient / Poisonous atmospheres, Tropics:- Heat exhaustion, Marine /
Coastal:- Currents, Riptides, Abnormal waves, Inland waters, lagoons:- Tides, Flotsam and Jetsam, Quicksand, Loose
rocks, Flash floods, Drowning, Sludge pits, Underwater obstacles, Unstable substrate Woodland:- Fire Getting lost
Rocky areas:- Falls Chippings, Rock falls, Urban:- Vehicles, Assault, Roads and Railways, Vehicles, Trains,
Electricity.
Biological: Farm stock:- Bulls, Pigs, Dogs. Flora and fauna:- Poisonous/irritant plants, Fungi, Reptiles, Arthropods,
Insects (Bites & Stings), Microbiological:- Weil's Disease, Tetanus, Malaria, Cholera, Typhoid, Lyme Disease, Algal
toxins:- Escherichia (E) coli, Campylobacter, Food borne illness, Water-borne infection Wound infection.
Chemical: Water pollution, Dumps, Harmful chemicals, Toxic/flammable gases, wastes.
Mechanical: Machinery:- Plant Tools / equipment, Entanglement, trapping, crushing, ejected parts,
Electrical: Generators, Portable Electrical Equipment, Shock, Fire, Exposed circuits, Differing safety standards, old
equipment.
Human Activity: Farming:- Forestry Industrial Machinery, Agrochemicals, Vehicles, Felling, Static and mobile
machinery, Buildings, Vehicles, Large plant and machines at open cast sites and quarries, Excavations:- Mines, Quarries
("confined spaces") Toxic gas, Drowning, Asphyxiation, Explosive gas mixes, Roof fall / collapse, Hidden shafts, Dead
ends, Failure of props/supports, Military Ammunition:- Explosion, Waste disposal, Hazardous materials.
Recreation: Hunting / Shooting, Firearms, Climbing, Rock-falls, Horse riding, Collision, Driving:- All Terrain Vehicles
(ATV’s) / Off-roaders, Collision, Skiing:- Avalanche. Water sports:- Surfing, Swimming, Body boarding, Jet Skiing,
Diving.
Work Procedures: Boats:- Sinking, Swamping, blown out to sea, Diving:- Drowning, ‘Bends’, Working at Height (>2
metres), Integrity of Fall Harness, Safety ropes, Access equipment, Lack of training, Gas Cooking / Heating:- CO
poisoning, Fire, Burns, Vehicles Collision:- Being struck by, Fuel fires, Loose loads, Hazardous terrain, Crime:- Theft,
Violence.
Work Abroad: Vehicles, Catering:- Food-borne illness, Water-borne illness, Local factors:- Restrictions on
photography, Local (differing) customs / Sense of humour, Sexual harassment, , Health:- Illness, Infection (eg hepatitis
and HIV), Accommodation:- Availability, Suitability, Sanitation, Security:- Civil Unrest, International Tension, Armed
conflict, Terrorist activity, Criminal Activity (theft & violence).
Other Stressors: Accommodation problems, differing expectations, crime, language/communication problems,
isolation, remoteness, lack of family/peer support, workload. Stress trauma
General: Lone Working Isolation Health Pre-existing conditions Food intolerance/allergy Foot problems Lack of fitness,
exhaustion
Behaviour: Group dynamics, Relationships, Alcohol related harm.
Legal problems Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Conservation areas, etc.
SECTION THREE
RISK ASSESSMENT
RISK = a combination of the likelihood a hazard will cause injury and the severity of the injury
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Quantify risk for each hazard identified using the following table:
Likelihood of injury
improbable
remote
possible
probable
likely
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Score
A
1
2
3
4
5
Severity of injury
Score
B
1
2
3
4
5
very minor injury; abrasions / contusions
minor injuries; cuts / burns
major injuries; fractures / cuts / burns / damage to internal organs
severe injury; amputation / eye loss / permanent disability
Death
Enter Hazards identified in Section 2.
Enter Existing control measures.
Quantify Risk factor by multiplying Score A and Score B, taking account of existing control measures.
If Risk factor is over 5: take Remedial Action (precautions) to improve or increase the number of existing control measures so that risk factor is below 5 .
If Risk factor is 5 or under, the risks are under adequate control, but should be continuously monitored.
Hazards
Existing control measures
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Falling
Getting lost
Appropriate clothing
Appropriate clothing
Appropriate footwear and clothing
Carry Map, Mobile phone, ensure someone knows
where you are and time you are expected to return
Do not enter deep, fast flowing water, wear
appropriate footwear, keep to footpaths, do not
cross barriers –fencing etc.... carry mobile phone
Appropriate clothing, carry food and water.
Drowning
Exhaustion
Score A
Score B
Risk
(A x B)
1
1
3
1
4
4
1
3
4
4
3
3
1
5
5
1
5
5
Remedial Action
HAVE YOU ARRANGED INSURANCE AND/OR NOTIFIED THE UNIVERSITY INSURANCE OFFICE YES / NO
DETAILS
DATE