FIELD TRIP TO THE CAMPSIE FELLS
The Campsie Fells are a group of
volcanic hills situated to the north
of Glasgow and the jasper locality
(approx 564 805) is in the
Strathblane Hills above the small
village of Blanefield. The
approach to the locality is initially
westward along metalled road and
then we strike north-eastwards
following a rough track then over
open rough grassy ground
following sheep tracks. The ascent
is to 300m which is more or less
the base of the small cliffs.
Collecting can be done at the base
of the cliffs by searching for
fragments loosened from above by
erosion. To observe the jasper in
situ and collect from the volcanic
rock requires a short walk along
sheep tracks that pass between the stepped lava flows of the cliffs. The tracks are narrow
and the grass verges slope at about 45° before meeting near vertical cliffs that range from
about 5 to 10m high. Some scrambling may be involved in the gullies that cut the cliffs.
Conditions under-foot are dependant on weather conditions at the time. If dry the going is
good, firm and commensurate with this ascent although some people may find walking
poles of benefit. If wet then the ground becomes quite slippy in parts and extra care needs
to be taken.
The walk in time should take about 30-40 minutes.
General safety:Clothing: Clothing must be suitable for the weather conditions. Water proofs for wet
weather; sun block for hot sunny weather and so on. The right sensible footwear is
essential: - wellingtons are recommended for work in areas of clay; non-slip trainers for
slippery rocks; walking boots for long distances.
Protective clothing: Hard hats and strong boots must be worn in quarries and near cliffs.
Safety Spectacles must be worn when hammering. Working quarries may insist that steel
toe capped footwear, hard hats, safety specs and high-visibility waistcoats must be worn at
all times.
Bacterial infections: There is a risk of infection from bacteria - e.g. tetanus and Weil's
disease. Participants are advised to check that they are immunised against tetanus; cover
any cuts to the skin; wash their hands before eating and drinking.
Behaviour: Participants should follow the safety instructions of the Leader and behave in
a responsible manner. They should not use a hammer if someone else is standing
nearby. They should not hammer under an overhang. They should not climb unstable
scree slopes or tip heaps. They should not wander away from the main group or leave the
field trip without informing the Leader. Participants with a disability should discuss any
possible risks with the Leader before the field trip begins. Participants with first aid
experience are asked to volunteer their help to the Leader.
Fitness: Fieldwork may involve walking on gravel or slippery shores or steep gradients.
Leaders normally take participants to areas that have generally good access used by the
public and not involving climbing or very steep slopes. Participants do not have to be super
fit sporty types, but those with heart problems or walking difficulties may wish to reduce the
amount of fieldwork they do.
Emergency action: The Leader or at least one person in the group must have a mobile
phone to be able to contact the emergency services. The Leader must carry a first aid kit
to deal with minor cuts.
The Leader reserves the right to ban a participant from the field trip if they are not
appropriately dressed, deemed to be at risk, for example under the influence of
drugs or alcohol, or behave in an irresponsible manner. The Leader assumes that
participants are all adults and that they will know their own capabilities for fieldwork.
Participants who think they may have a problem that might affect their safety or that of the
group should inform the Leader (privately).
Insurance: Participants are advised to take out their own personal accident insurance.
To get the hazards and risks into perspective it might be useful to compare them with
some other everyday activities. The hazards involved in geological fieldwork are slightly
greater than those involved in rambling. The hazards involved in collecting and handling
samples are similar to those involved in gardening. And the hazards involved in
hammering are similar to those encountered in some DIY.
Risk assessment:
Activity: Handling geological specimens and collecting geological samples. Hazard:
potential chemical and biological hazards. There may be sharp edges to broken
specimens. Risk: moderate Action: ensure that any cuts to your skin are covered up.
Consider wearing protective gloves. Always wash or clean your hands before eating and
drinking in the field.
Activity: Hammering or using a hammer and chisel Hazard: Pieces of rock may fly off and
cause injury to you or others nearby or the hammer may slip off the chisel and injure
you. Risk: moderate to high depending on your experience. Action: Always wear safety
goggles or glasses. Never use a hammer if other people are near you. Never use a
second geological hammer as a chisel. Only use a chisel with the appropriate type of
hammer. Never hammer under an overhang or on a loose rock face. Consider wearing
thick gloves.
Activity: General fieldwork in open countryside. Hazards: getting stuck in marshy areas,
aggression from the livestock, getting knocked down by fast moving vehicles on roads.
Risks: moderate. Action: avoid marshy areas if possible (but if not wear Wellington boots
and test the ground in front of you); keep away from livestock (particularly cattle, bulls,
horses and sows with piglets); take the normal precautions you would on any road (if
possible arrange for someone to watch out for traffic if you are in a particularly hazardous
position). Remember to follow the 'Country Code'.
THE COUNTRY CODE
1. Take special care on country roads.
2. Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work.
3. Take your litter home.
4. Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls.
5. Keep dogs under close control.
6. Make no unnecessary noise.
7. Fasten all gates.
8. Keep to public paths across farmland.
9. Guard against all risks of fire.
10. Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone.
11. Protect wildlife, plants and trees.
12. Help to keep all water clean.
Activity: Fieldwork on coastal sections Hazard: incoming tide trapping the participants on
the beach Risk: moderate, but serious Action: fieldwork should always start on a falling
tide and the participants should be aware of local conditions and ensure that there is
adequate time to return safely before the next high tide.
Activity: Fieldwork on coastal sections Hazard: slipping on wet rocks, chance of cuts and
bruising or worse if you slip over Risk: moderate Action: participants should take extra
care on wet rocks (due to seawater or rain) and be wary of rocks covered with wet
seaweed and algae. Wearing non-slip footwear such as trainers is recommended.
Activity: Fieldwork near cliffs or quarry faces. Hazard: falling rocks. Risk: moderate.
Action: Always wear a hard hat. Always look at the rock face and avoid areas that are
cracked or overhanging. Keep the time spend near the rockface to a minimum (once you
have carried out the fieldwork activity get away from the face - for example don't stop there
to eat your lunch).
Activity: Fieldwork on muddy exposures such as quarries) Hazard: you can get stuck in
soft mud and clay. Risk: high. Action: care should be taken when approaching recent
mudslides or muddy parts of quarries. Wellington boots are the recommended footwear
(you can get your feet out of the wellingtons and walk without them). Test the area with a
stick or pebble before walking on it. Keep away from recent mudslides down cliffs
particularly in or after wet weather.
Activity: Fieldwork in working quarries. Hazards: (in addition to hazards listed above)
there may be quarry vehicles, recently blasted rocks, sludge lagoons. Risk: high Action:
Hard hats must be worn at all times in all working quarries. The instructions given by
quarry staff or owners must be followed at all times. The owner may insist that people
wear safety glasses, high visibility waistcoats or safety footwear - these instructions must
be followed. Participants should avoid areas in which diggers and lorries are working,
areas of soft ground or lagoons, areas of loose or recently blasted rock, and not be
present during times of rock blasting. Participants should keep away from and not interfere
with any machinery and vehicles in the quarry.
Activity: Fieldwork in landfill sites. Hazard: sharp and broken contaminated objects. Risk:
the risk of bacterial infections and other biohazards is greater than other sites. Action: the
site owner may insist on safety footwear with a steel sole. Consider wearing heavy duty
gloves at all times. Ensure that any cuts to your skin are covered up. Wash your hands as
soon as possible after leaving the site. Any specimens collected should be washed and
treated with extra care.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Form to be completed by all participants
Name -------------------------------------------------------------- Tel No. ------------------------Address -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Please put my name down for the field trip to ------------------------------------on date ----------------------I confirm that I have read and will comply with the recommendations on field safety.
My emergency contact is ------------------------------------ Tel. No. ------------------------Signed ------------------------------------------ Date -----------------------------------