Risk Assessment Guidance
The assessor can assign values for the hazard severity (a) and likelihood of occurrence (b)
(taking into account the frequency and duration of exposure) on a scale of 1 to 5,
then multiply them together to give the rating band:
Hazard Severity
1 – Remote
2 – Unlikely
3 – Possible
4 – Likely
5 – Very likely
(b)
(almost never)
(occurs rarely)
(could occur, but uncommon)
(recurrent but not frequent)
(occurs frequently)
Fatal
The risk rating (high, medium or low) indicates the level of
response required to be taken when designing the action plan.
Serious
1
Likelihood of Occurrence
(single or multiple)
Moderate
Remote
(eg discomfort, slight bruising, self-help recovery)
(eg small cut, abrasion, basic first aid need)
(eg strain, sprain, incapacitation > 3 days)
(eg fracture, hospitalisation >24 hrs, incapacitation >4
Minor
Trivial
1 – Trivial
2 – Minor
3 – Moderate
4 – Serious
weeks)
5 – Fatal
(a)
2
3
4
5
4
6
8
10
Rating Bands (a x b)
LOW RISK
(1 – 8)
MEDIUM RISK
(9 - 12)
HIGH RISK
(15 - 25)
Continue, but
implement
additional
reasonably
practicable
controls where
possible and
monitor regularly
-STOP THE
ACTIVITY-
Unlikely
2
Possible
3
6
9
12
15
4
8
12
16
20
5
10
15
20
25
Likely
Very
likely
UOB Risk Assessment
Continue, but
review
periodically to
ensure controls
remain effective
Identify new
controls. Activity
must not
proceed until
risks are
reduced to a low
or medium level
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
Risk Assessment Record
Risk Assessment of:
Undergraduate taught field trips
Overview of activity / location / equipment
/ conditions being assessed:
Generic or specific assessment?
Generic risk assessment
Assessor(s):
Date:
A. Chapman
27-03-2012
This document contains an outline of factors to be considered when planning a tutor-led undergraduate field
excursion, within the UK and abroad.
It does not replace a risk assessment for specific localities or trips. Each locality or trip must have its
own assessment as there are too many variables to consider in a generic assessment.
This assessment is for guidance when conducting trip-specific assessments.
Context of assessment (delete as appropriate): planning stage / ‘desk-top’ exercise / site visit / in consultation with employees /
in consultation with managers / other (please describe)
Risk assessments for field trips should be completed before the start of the activity and should consider the following:
 Seek advice from UHSE if planning trips outside the UK.
 Location of local medical facilities including qualified first aiders and supplies, accident reporting procedures, local doctors, dentists and hospitals;
 Emergency contacts, either physical persons or telephone numbers. Emergency contact numbers should include local emergency services i.e. police and
fire stations, base camps, home and next of kin, emergency University contact;
 Mobile telephone signal coverage in location visited.
 Transport issues, travel arrangements to and from the location including contingency plans in case of normal service disruption and duration of the
journey;
 Food and water supplies and specific dietary requirements;
 Power supplies, including generators, adaptors, batteries, battery chargers, torches;
 Lone working if any;
 Personal health matters, and assurances of fitness to travel in cases where individuals are known to be pregnant or suffered a recent injury, known
allergies and issues relative to medical confidentiality and Data Protection;
 A contingency plan which should address all foreseeable difficulties.
Information on the nature of the hazards identified and the control measures to be adopted must be communicated appropriately to all leaders,
assistants, and participants.
Dynamic risk assessment is commonly required in the field as unexpected conditions emerge, including active management of incidents and
emergencies.
UOB Risk Assessment
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
Hazard(s) identified
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures


1
Presence of people with disabilities. Consider:
Mobility difficulties
Visual difficulties
Hearing difficulties
‘Hidden’ disabilities
Mental health problems
Pre-existing medical conditions






2
Presence of young people (under 18) in the
party





3
Presence of expectant or new mother



UOB Risk Assessment
A
B
Ax
B
Additional controls
required
Foster a culture where people with disabilities are able
to disclose their disability
Requires specific risk assessment taking into
consideration the individual’s capabilities and the
support available.
Assessment should be undertaken in consultation with
the individual concerned.
Make reasonable adjustments to enable participation.
Take steps to ensure the person does not go beyond
their capabilities.
Take steps to ensure that other members of the party
are not put at additional risk.
Party leaders should be informed how to manage
foreseeable difficulties.
All trip leaders must be notified well ahead of the trip if
any party member will be under 18 years old at the start
of the trip.
Requires specific risk assessment taking into
consideration the person’s age, physical immaturity and
lack of experience or awareness of hazards.
Additional supervision may be required.
Note the University policy on child protection applies
when there are under 18’s in the party.
All trip leaders must be notified well ahead of the trip if
any party member is an expectant or new mother.
Requires specific risk assessment taking into
consideration the individual’s capabilities and the
support available.
Assessment should be undertaken in consultation with
the individual concerned.
Take steps to ensure the person does not go beyond
their capabilities.
Take steps to ensure that other members of the party
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
Hazard(s) identified
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures


4
Transport:
 Travelling to and from the field area.
 Transport around the area during the trip.
 Embarkation / disembarkation from vehicles
especially at roadside.
5
Personal safety.
Consider the risk of violence, mugging, etc.
If abroad consider possible political instability,
banditry etc.
6
Accommodation:
Fire







7
8
Physical hazards:
 Countryside / wilderness environment: e.g.
extreme weather; mountains and cliffs,
quarries, marshes and quicksand; fresh or
seawater.
 Urban environment

Biological hazards, for example:
 Poisonous plants
 Bites, stings, etc.
 Aggressive animals (even cows can attack if
disturbed).
 Soil or water micro-organisms

UOB Risk Assessment






are not put at additional risk.
Party leaders should be informed how to manage
foreseeable difficulties.
Suitable travel arrangements and correctly licensed and
insured drivers
For preference, use reputable company rather than selfdrive vehicles.
Safe driving (provide additional driver training where
appropriate)
Adequate supervision of party members
Abide by F.O. advice on the country. (Obtain advice
from UHSE.)
Provide information and awareness training as
appropriate.
Ensure that all party members familiarise themselves
with the evacuation procedure and escape routes.
Site-specific and activity-specific risk assessments
should be conducted as part of the planning procedure.
This may identify a need for specific safety equipment
e.g. throw-lines.
Suitable clothing, especially including appropriate
footwear and hats.
Individual not permitted to be involved in fieldwork
activity if intended clothing, footwear not appropriate.
Sunscreen.
Sufficient water.
Appropriate information has been given to leaders and
participants to enable them to prepare for the
environment.
Site-specific and activity-specific risk assessments
should be conducted as part of the planning procedure.
Suitable clothing e.g. long trousers where ticks have
been predicted.
Provide appropriate information to leaders and
participants about likely hazards and how to minimise
A
B
Ax
B
5
2
10
4
or
5
1
or
2
4–
10
2
1
2
3
2
6
3
2
6
Additional controls
required
Take steps to
reduce to ≤8
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
#
Hazard(s) identified

Local diseases: Weil’s disease, Lyme disease,
malaria, etc.
9
Chemical hazards, for example:
Pesticides; dusts; contaminated soils; chemicals
brought into site
10
Man-made hazards, for example:
Electrical equipment; vehicles, insecure buildings;
slurry pits; power and pipelines
11
Persons
affected
Existing controls & measures




risks.
Provide training in how to behave around animals.
Consider immunisations, suitable medicines.
Avoid where reasonably practicable
If chemical hazards are likely to be significant, conduct a
specific (COSHH) risk assessment.


Avoid where reasonably practicable
Ensure party members are adequately supervised.

Obtain basic first aid competence, and carry first aid kits,
which may include additional items identified by the first
aid risk assessment.
Supervision of activities – promotion of buddy systems
and team responsibilities, safety sharing, etc.
Appoint someone to bring up the rear.
Walk only as fast as the slowest person.
Ensure all handlers of equipment are familiar with
appropriate manual handling techniques
Emergency procedures (e.g. first aid, survival aids,
communication, incident management procedure)
Use mobile phones or satellite phones in areas where
reception is available. Have emergency numbers to
hand.
Have a whistle readily to hand. (The international
distress call is six short blasts repeated at one minute
intervals.)
Establish clear rules about drinking and drug use, with
sanctions applied if broken.
Adequate food and drink each day, including breakfast.
Emergency water and food.
Risk assess separately.
Establish clear rules about what is allowed, with
sanctions applied if broken.
Hazards leading to slips, trips and falls

12
Slow walkers getting left behind.
13
Manual handling of equipment





14
Emergency requiring means of summoning
outside assistance

15
Misuse of alcohol and drugs
16
Physical exertion
17
Recreational activities (in- and out-of-hours) –
swimming, etc.
UOB Risk Assessment
A





B
Ax
B
Additional controls
required
Reduce risk to as
low as reasonably
practicable
Reduce risk to as
low as reasonably
practicable
2
2
4
1
1
1
3
2
6
5
1
5
2
1
2
1
1
1
Reduce risk to as
low as reasonably
practicable
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit
Persons
affected
#
Hazard(s) identified
18
Environmental impact (rubbish; pollution;
disturbance of eco-systems)
Existing controls & measures
A
B
Ax
B


n/a
n/a
n/a
Assessor signature:
Adopt a rule of ‘carry it in, carry it out’.
Keep physical disturbance to a minimum, e.g. sampling,
trenching, marking localities.
Print name:
Additional controls
required
Review date:
Risk Assessment Action Plan
Action Plan in respect of:
Ref
no.
Prepared by:
Action to be taken, incl. Cost
Responsible manager’s signature:
Print name:
UOB Risk Assessment
By whom
Target date
Review date
Outcome at review date
Responsible manager’s signature:
Date:
Print name:
Date
University Health, Safety & Environment Unit