School of
Life
Sciences
FIELDWORK RISK ASSESSMENT
FORM
F25
SECTION 1 – FIELDWORK DETAILS
Ecology Field Course, Malham Tarn
1. Fieldwork
1 Week: 23-30th June
2007
2. Duration
3. Location
Malham Tarn Field Centre, Settle,
North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU
Tel: 01279 830331
4. Description of Activities: Fieldwork outdoors in Malham Tarn area (see attached programme)
5. Course Organizer/Leader
6. Course Supervisors
(Include non-employees)
David Harper
Alan Stewart
David Streeter
Jackie Thompson
10 Undergraduate
8 Masters
7. Number of Students
8. Pre-fieldwork
Requirements
Health surveillance questionnaire issued to all participants and next of kin
details acquired.
Pre-course briefings to all participants regarding hazards identified,
precautions required and emergency procedures.
9. Supervision
There will be no lone working. Staff to student ratio 4:18.
Often the students will be divided into two groups where there will be a
minimum of 2 Demonstrators per group (two groups of 8 and 10 students).
10. Itinerary:
23rd June 2007 - All to make own way to field centre
Fieldwork (see attached programme)
30th June 2007 – All to make own way home
11. Means of
Transport
Arrival at and Departure from field centre - own responsibility.
Otherwise, almost entirely on foot.
SECTION 2 - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
12. Potential Hazards Identified
13. Possible Outcome
14. Control Measures
a) Location: High density of limestone rocks increases risk of head injuries. Limestone pavement is especially
dangerous – becomes very slippery when wet. Extensive areas of scree should be avoided - much of it is
very unstable. Landscape is littered with sink-holes, hidden caves and abrupt crags. Fieldwork is carried out
up to 4km from centre, requiring participants to walk considerable distances – vehicles cannot access many
sites, although all are within 1km of track or road.
 Falling or slipping on uneven/wet ground.
 Tripping over brambles, fallen branches,
stones, animal burrows, etc.
 Falling whilst climbing over rocks, walls,
gates (often locked).
 Injury from sharp objects such as barbed
wire and foliage.
Sprains, strains, broken
bones
Cuts, scratches, possible
infection
Suitable footwear and clothing to
be worn, steady footing. Use
access routes which avoid having
to climb over obstacles where
available.
No climbing over barbed wire
 Tarn is up to 4m deep; after rain stream
flows can surge.
Drowning
No swimming in tarn permitted
without specific permission
 Excessive heat and sun
Sun stroke or heat
exhaustion
Use sun protection products and
cover head and skin from the sun.
Carry and consume plenty of water
in hot conditions.
 Excessive cold and wet (rainfall can be
torrential)
Hypothermia, increased
risk of injury due to
slips and falls
Advise all members of party to
take waterproofs (light showerproof anoraks are not adequate)
and some warm clothing.
b) Weather
Activities to be modified or
cancelled during hazardous
weather.
c) Transport/Vehicles
 Accident on way to centre
Injury or fatality
Ensure vehicles are roadworthy
and well maintained.
Do not overload with passengers
and/or equipment.
Take break from driving if tired.
Ensure all vehicles are adequately
insured.
 Vehicles on local roads and tracks
Injury or fatality
Wear light coloured clothing and
carry torches at night to be more
visible to traffic.
Take extra care on windy country
lanes or narrow tracks.
d) Accommodation
 Fire
Injury or fatality
Ensure everyone knows action to
take in case of a fire.
 Unknown area
Get lost, disorientated
No student is to leave the area
immediately around Malham Tarn
House without permission. If
permission is given, students must:
describe route to be followed, give
estimated time of return and report
back to named person on return.
Trampling injuries,
bites, infection
Treat all animals with respect and
caution. Be aware of ticks and
tick-borne diseases.
e) Animals
 Livestock/wild animals/dogs/insects
f) Health and Fitness: Issue a pre-fieldwork health surveillance questionnaire to identify any pre-existing
medical conditions, health or general fitness concerns which may require additional consideration. There
may be circumstances where, after consultation with medical professionals, persons with certain disabilities
or illnesses may have to be excluded from activities to safeguard their own health and safety or that of other
fieldtrip members. The decision to exclude anyone from fieldwork will not be taken lightly and certainly not
before extensive consultation with relevant parties.
 Physical exertion
Tiredness, exhaustion,
strain type injuries
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Ensure all participants have
required level of physical fitness to
participate.
 Pre-existing medical conditions, for
example: diabetes, epilepsy, asthma,
vertigo…
Injury, illness, fatality
Ensure fieldwork will not increase
risk to individuals to an
unacceptable level and implement
additional precautionary measures
as required. Where necessary
advice will be sought from the
University Health Team.
 Psychological /Emotional disturbances
Injury, disturbance
Designate an individual whom
students/staff can contact for such
difficulties. Obtain advice if
required from the university health
team.
 Disabilities
Inaccessibility, injury
Where reasonably practicable,
additional measures will be taken
to ensure that individuals with
declared disabilities have access to
fieldwork activities and are able to
fully participate.
g) Lone working: There will be no lone working on this field trip.
h) Night working: Nocturnal exercise surveying bats
 Increased risk of being hit by vehicles or
falling/tripping over unseen objects
Injury, fatality
Take torches and keep to tracks
and roads, avoiding dangerous
terrain.
SECTION 3 – PERSONS AT RISK
Students, Tutors, Third Parties
15. Identify Persons at Risk
SECTION 4 – ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
16. Measures to Protect Environment
Minimum number of vehicles to be used without overloading
any vehicle
SECTION 5 – EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
17. First Aid: All Demonstrators will have received at least basic first aid training. A first aid kit will be
carried by groups on fieldwork at all times. All accidents will be reported to the University using the standard
accident reporting system as soon as possible after the event.
18. Emergency Contact Arrangements: In the case of an emergency arising, the University will be informed
at the earliest possible opportunity. Details of who to contact in an emergency are provided by all participants
on the course.
Working in field
Groups working out in the field will carry at least 1 mobile phone at all times for
emergency communications if required. When working in areas known to have limited
signal coverage, an alternative method of seeking assistance in an emergency situation
will be developed. Late return to the field centre at the end of each day will trigger an
emergency procedure and if required a search party to ascertain the whereabouts of any
missing persons.
At Centre
Students advised to contact a Demonstrator if they have a problem. The field centre also
has a 24 hour duty office system. All participants will be advised of local emergency
procedures.
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Contact Details
BES Secretarial Office (Working Hours): 01273 678056
University Security (Out of Hours): 01273 863333
University Occupational Health Adviser: 01273 877255
SECTION 6 – TRAINING/COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS
19. Demonstrators
First aid training, competence to lead groups in the field over rough terrain.
All staff to have read UCEA “Guidance on Safety in Fieldwork” 2005.
20. Students
No specific requirements identified.
SECTION 7 – INSURANCE DETAILS
21. Staff
Liability insurance – covered by university policy?
Travel insurance – covered by university policy?
22. Students
Liability insurance – covered by university policy?
Travel insurance – students advised of need to take out own cover if required.
SECTION 8 – ACCEPTANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT
Signed............................................................................
(Work Organizer: David Harper)
Date:
Signed............................................................................
(Head of School/Directorate)
Date:
Signed............................................................................
(School Safety Adviser: Sandra Laugharne)
Date:
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