RISK ASSESSMENT ZOOL3010 RISK ASSESSMENT
Activity Title: ZOOL3010 Fieldtrips
Locations:
North Stradbroke Island and Seaworld
INTRODUCTION
You will receive an emailed cover sheet with a barcode.
Please read the following risks associated with these field trips carefully and sign and date the cover sheet that has been
emailed to you.
Then submit it through the School of Integrative Biology assignment submission box (8-229) so your submission can be
recorded.
Medical conditions affecting fieldwork participation
To ensure the University can meet its obligations, it is vital for relevant information regarding medical limitations to be confidentially
provided to and documented by the supervisor. It is an obligation on all participants to take appropriate medical advice and
disclose any limitations imposed by their health that may affect their ability to participate safely in the fieldwork activities. It is
inappropriate for staff, students or other participants with potentially life threatening medical conditions that may become active
during fieldwork, to participate in fieldwork at remote locations. (See Diet/Emergency Details Form on Blackboard)
1
RISK ASSESSMENT – ZOOL3010 FIELD TRIPS TO NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND/ SEAWORLD
Activities: Visits to Sea World & to North Stradbroke for land-based studies
Probability of
occurrence
Improbable
Likely consequence
Catastrophic
Risk
Medium
Bites and stings from snakes,
spiders and insects; contact with
noxious plants, such as stinging
trees
Improbable
Catastrophic
Medium
Attachment of ticks and bites by
other blood sucking invertebrates
Occasional
Major
Low
Cuts and abrasions to feet from
plants, branches, stones and
wire, etc. at field sites
Occasional
Major
Medium
Hazard type
Motor vehicle accidents (normal
road conditions)
Control actions required
Only motor vehicles that are road-worthy are to be used and all
drivers are to be appropriately licensed to operate the motor vehicle,
e.g. bus to Sea World and vehicles on North Stradbroke Island. All
drivers are to obey Queensland Road Transport Regulations. Driver
fatigue is to be avoided and all passengers are to wear seat belts.
Field equipment and personal baggage within vehicle is to be secured
so as to avoid injury to passengers in the event of an accident.
Appropriate footwear to be worn at all times. All persons to be made
aware of dangerous animals (especially snakes) that may be
encountered. Students to work in pairs and stay in sight of each other
at all times. Students and other participants to check shoes, clothes
and other equipment for noxious animals (especially scorpions and
spiders) before picking them up and / or putting them on. Students
are not to handle snakes, scorpions or spiders, etc. Students should
learn to recognise noxious plants: e.g. Stinging Trees, etc. and avoid
contact with them. A First Aid Kit and access to a First Aider to be
available.
All participants to check for presence of ticks and leeches upon return
from activities and when showering (fortunately in Australia there isn’t
the hazard from tick transmitted infectious diseases common
elsewhere). Mosquito and midge bites can cause discomfort and
result in transmission of infectious diseases (such as Ross River
Fever). Long pants and long-sleeved shirts help protect from such
bites, but all participants are advised to bring and use their own insect
repellent.
Appropriate footwear (i.e. fully enclosed shoes with strong soles) must
be worn at all times. First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available.
Students and other participants to be advised to ensure tetanus
inoculations are current.
RISK ASSESSMENT CONTINUED
2
Probability of
occurrence
Occasional
Likely consequence
Major
Risk
Medium
Improbable
Catastrophic
Medium
Falls, trips, etc. in the dark at
research station
Exposure to inclement
weather (sun, cold, etc.)
Occasional
Major
Medium
Frequent
Minor to Major
Medium
Dehydration
Frequent
Minor to Moderate
Medium
Food Poisoning
Improbable
Minor to Moderate
Low
Hazard type
Uneven ground causing falls:
sprains, strains & fractures,
involving limbs, joints, etc.
Falls down rocks, cliffs
Control actions required
Appropriate footwear to be worn at all times (i.e. sturdy boots or
sneakers). Sandals and thongs are inadequate and are not to be
worn. First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available.
Students to keep well clear of cliff edges or any ground that may
subside. Cliff-top work at Point Lookout will be conducted behind
safety fences and students are not to move past these barriers.
Students are not to rock climb or go clambering over rocks where falls
may occur. Further, students must remain clear of areas that may be
subject to high wave action and/or freak waves.
Students and other participants are to bring torches with them. Walk
don’t run! First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available.
All participants to be made aware of climatic conditions likely to be
encountered and are to bring appropriate clothing; i.e. warm weather
or cold weather clothing and hats, sunglasses and other protective
clothing for day and night (generally long pants and long-sleeved
shirts are to be preferred), wet weather gear, etc. Sunscreen is to be
provided for all participants, although people are also advised to bring
their own.
All participants to have an adequate supply of drinking water.
Participants to carry appropriate water bottles during the day. At least
2 litres per person are to be carried during warm weather. Adequate
supplies of drinking water to be available.
Before preparing food, all persons are to wash their hands thoroughly.
Long hair to be tied back or covered with an appropriate head
covering. Food must be kept clean and covered to prevent
contamination. Perishable food items should be kept cool (below 5
OC) or piping hot (above 70 OC). Once prepared, any food that cannot
be refrigerated is to be disposed of and in any case is not to be
consumed after 24hrs. Kitchen area and utensils are to be kept
hygienically clean.
RISK ASSESSMENT CONTINUED
3
Activity: Boating & snorkelling off North Stradbroke Island
Probability of
occurrence
Improbable
Likely consequence
Major
Low
Persons lost / missing whilst
on island or at Sea World
Improbable
Critical
Medium
Electrical hazard from
equipment and electrical cords
Improbable
Catastrophic
Medium
Man overboard
Remote
Catastrophic
High
Collision while vessels in
motion
Remote
Catastrophic
High
Hazard type
Cuts and burns whilst carrying
out kitchen duties.
Risk
Control actions required
All persons in kitchen area to follow the instructions of the kitchen
supervisor at all times. Persons to pay due care and attention whilst
carrying out kitchen duties.
All participants to be made aware of the dangers and consequences
of becoming lost. The rules for leaving the field sites to be made clear
to all personnel. A list of all persons departing the site is to be taken.
All names must be accounted for and checked off the list when any
group returns to station, and also in the evening when the class
assembles. When away from the research station, students are to
remain in pairs and remain in sight of each other at all times. NO
STUDENT IS EVER TO LEAVE THE RESEARCH STATION ON
THEIR OWN OR WITHOUT INFORMING STAFF.
The same applies to the Sea World excursion. Students are to
remain in a group at all times. Students will be issued with maps of
the park. Students names will be ticked off at start and end of
excursion.
All electrical equipment, including multi-plug boards and extension
cords to be in good repair. Plug sockets not to be overloaded. No
double adaptors to be used. Persons to be adequately instructed in
correct equipment usage. Mains voltage equipment is not to be used
in situations where rain or other moisture makes this hazardous.
All passengers must maintain position inside vessel. Passengers to
sit on properly proscribed areas and hold on whilst boat is in motion.
Driver must alert passengers to changes in boat’s motion.
Driver must maintain control and proper vigilance during operation of
vessel. Ensure weather conditions will not impair visibility. Driver
must have knowledge of navigational requirements of area. Ensure
that other boats are in the area.
RISK ASSESSMENT CONTINUED
4
Activity: Boating off North Stradbroke Island
Exposure to inclement
weather
Frequent
Minor
Medium
Engine failure
Occasional
Major
Medium
Sunburn
Frequent
Minor
High
Cold, exposure
Frequent
Minor
High
Dangerous marine animals
Occasional
Minor- major
Medium
Fire onboard vessel
Drowning
Improbable
Remote
Catastrophic
Catastrophic
Medium
High
Review weather conditions prior to departure. All staff must be
notified of weather conditions and students to equip themselves with
necessary protection: wet-weather gear, sunhat, sunscreen. Weather
forecasts to be checked daily; and continual visual checks of possible
weather conditions. Radio contact with research station for updates
on weather conditions.
Vessel to be maintained in good working order by Univ Qld. Vessel
must be equipped with safety equipment and communication devices
(mobile phone and/or radio). Report any problems to Boating officer,
no matter how minor, on return to base.
All students to bring and apply sunscreen and /or zinc cream to
exposed skin. Protective clothing to be worn at all times: sun-hats,
long-sleeved clothing etc. Sunscreen to be carried on board the
vessel. Students to be reminded at regular intervals and after
swimming to reapply sunscreen
Students to wear suitable in-water clothing, i.e. wetsuits. All students
to have waterproof jacket on board
All students to be informed of marine animals likely to be
encountered, e.g. razor clams, jellyfish, sharks. All students and staff
to remain vigilant and aware. Lookout posted in boat.
Ensure fire extinguishers are serviceable
Ensure that all students can swim before entering the water if this
option is available (written questionnaire regarding ability and
experience). Ensure that each student shows competency in
swimming during a short proficiency test in shallow water at start of
day. Students to swim in buddy pairs. Keep all students close together
in water and with staff overseeing in-water activities from both water
and staff as look-outs in boat. Delineate area in which students can
swim and enforce this swim area and other no-go zones. All students
to remain in shallow water. All students to have mask & snorkel and
pair of fins. All students to be counted at start of snorkel, end of
snorkel and continually during the snorkel activity.
END of Risk Assessment
5