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
CAROLINE CORNISH
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 5 – Kew Gardens
This fieldtrip considers Kew Gardens and cultures of botany and empire. The trips will start at 11 meeting at
Victoria Gate for a guided tour of Gardens. Participants will be given a sense of Kew’s transformation in
the 19th century from royal estate to public scientific institution. Attention will be drawn to the buildings
which once constituted the Museums of Economic Botany and the tour will include areas not accessible to
the public. Following lunch there will be a tour of the Economic Botany Collection in the Nash
Conservatory. Here two stories will be told: Kew’s involvement in imperial botany projects e.g. rubber and
Kew’s Museum of Economic Botany – how it produced scientific knowledge for a general public. The day
will close with a tour of Herbarium: here delegates will gain an understanding of the practices of plant
collecting and classification. They will look at the collection through the lens of the scientists who are its
users and gain a sense of the networks of knowledge in which Kew was embedded. Both the Herbarium
and the Economic Botany Collection are not open to the public, so we will be seeing Kew ‘behind the
scenes’.
ESTIMATED No OF
STAFF AT RISK:
2
ESTIMATED No
OFPARTICIPANTS AT
RISK:
13
Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip
Exact Location of your field work trip
Kew Gardens
Local / regional Area
Richmond, Surrey
YES
NO
UK based
Europe
1
Transatlantic
Current Home Office Security Level in the area(s) you will be visiting
NO
N/A
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. The Economic Botany Collection
store is kept at 14°C.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be in urban location with sustained traffic on nearby streets. There may be uneven
pavements and steps in exhibitions and unexpected terrain in the gardens.
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). Warm clothing is suggested for
the Economic Botany Collection store which is
kept cool.
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 and to take care on uneven terrain
around the gardens. Participants with mobility
restrictions will be notified about the distance
covered in the walking tour around Kew.
1
X
1
= 1
1
X
1
= 1
Climate: sun, rain, wind –
exposure. The Economic
Botany Collection store is
kept at 14°C.
2.
Terrain/Location:
Fieldtrip will be in urban
location with sustained
traffic on nearby
streets. There maybe
uneven pavements and
steps. In the gardens,
terrain may be uneven
and slippery. A
distance of
approximately 1 mile
will be covered.
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.
X
1
=
5
Participants alerted to risk.
Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks
and direct them clearly to safe routes.
3
This can mean that
individuals cease
paying attention to their
own safety.
Specific aspects
requiring attention
include disembarking
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