Newcastle University Risk Assessment
Note
Project / Module Title
PI / Module Leader
School
Travel dates
Travelling without appropriate risk assessment may prejudice subsequent insurance claims.
Travel to Karbala in Iraq to examine Substance abuse prevalence among Iraq University students in
2010 – Phd Study. Student is an Iraqi national who plans to return to his home country to carry out
his PhD data collection. Student has already carried out a very similar study in 2005 when they
were a lecturer at Karbala University. Their permanent residence is in Karbala and their family
currently reside there. The trip will be to conduct a survey amongst university students who are
registered at, and attending the university. The research is being carried out via anonymous paperbased questionnaires and is voluntary for the students involved. There will be no follow up of
students – see attached information re ethical considerations.
Dr Adventure
J Bloggs,
Travellers
School of Interesting Studies
NA
Unit
30/09/2010 –01/02/2011
13/08/2010
Date of assessment
Emergency Contacts
xx x xxx xxx xxxx
House number xxxxx/xx Imam residential area, Karbala Iraq.
Telephone number: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
None available
Emergency Services
British Embassy, Baghdad, International Zone, Baghdad (964) (0) 7901 926 280 and out of hours
British Embassy
+964 (0) 7901 935 149
Emergency claims – Chubb Assistance: +44 (0) 207 895 3364 - provide a contact & policy number:
Insurance
64811698 for UG students and 64811697 for PG and Staff. Contact NU for all claims –
insurance@ncl.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 191 208 6520
+44 (0) 191 208 xxxx (School Secretary). +44 (0) 191 208 xxxx (Manager). +44 (0) 191 208 6817
Newcastle University
(Security Control 24 hrs a day)
(NU)
Leave Newcastle Railway to Kings Cross and take tube to Heathrow Airport. Leave Heathrow to
Travel Itinerary
Bagdad on 30/9/2010.Arrive in Bagdad on 31/09/2010, British Security Transport from Baghdad
Airport to governmental checkpoint 10km from Baghdad Airport, No civil cars allowed within a
10k perimeter of Baghdad Airport. Regulated taxi firm immediately from checkpoint to Karbala
and Student’s home address (Student has used this firm on many occasions and it has a good
record). The same will occur on the return journey to Bagdad Airport.
Leave Bagdad Airport on 31/01/2011 for Heathrow Airport and arrive 01/02/2011. Student will
take pre booked train to Newcastle Railway Station.
The work that is to be carried out in this time period is conducting the definitive study through
visiting all students class rooms at all colleges in Karbala University and applying the self complete
questionnaire among students and collecting them and entering the data to computer and analysing
it besides conducting literature review performance at Karbala medical college-community
medicine department. Student will spend 9-5 Saturday-Wednesday during this time period of
working. All work will be based within the University buildings.
Does this travel and activity present a significant risk to safety
Yes
No
Hazard 1 Accommodation
Risk to employees of theft and exposure to aggressive behaviour resulting in injury.
Risks
Risk of ill health, potential burns and fatalities as a result of fire and smoke inhalation.
 FCO and NU guidance will be followed
 Use available secure storage facilities for valuable items
Control
 Contact between NU and employee will be available, refer to emergency contacts
Measures
 Students permanent residence is in Karbala and his family currently reside there. Student will be stopping at
his own home only and will not be using hotel or other accommodations.
Hazard 2 Dealing with People and cultural differences
 Risk to employees and members of the public of causing offence and confrontation. Risk of legal action,
Risks
physical injuries e.g. head injuries, bruises and fractures.
 Research in preparation for the trip. Plan routes in commonly used areas and avoid areas of concern,
including cultural or political events. Maps and other travel documents should be taken and used.
 Be aware of crowded areas, opportunistic theft and cultural sensitivity.
Control
 Carry an adequate sum of money for the day; this should be kept to a minimum.
Measures  If confronted hand over whatever items the aggressors request and report the incident to the police.
 Iraq is the student’s home country and Karbala is his home city. His wife and daughter live there and he has
worked in the University there for many years. Student will adhere to local Government advice and
regulations and will monitor both local and global information. Student will not take part in any political
Contact overseas
Accommodation
Hazard 3
Risks
Control
Measures
Hazard 4
Risks
Control
Measures
Hazard 5
Risks
Control
Measures
Hazard 6
Risks
Control
Measures
rallies or demonstrations and has waited until local elections have been completed. Minimise the time spent in
the vicinity of potential targets for terrorist attacks, as detailed above. The city is patrolled by local and
national police and the army have many check points throughout the city. Movement after 12 midnight is
restricted and Student would not leave home after midnight. Karbala University has its own guards and no
armed or aggressive personals are allowed to enter the University campus and all students are checked by
guards at the entrance.
 In the event of a terrorist incident, and where it is safe to do so, return to your accommodation immediately
and remain there until the situation has stabilised. Follow local security guidance.
 The University insurance company will provide a specialised risk report for each visit which Student will use.
This report will be used to inform the risk assessment process. Student will regularly view the FCO website
and local news for any changes in advice and will follow the guidance provided. Student will maintain a low
profile; use inconspicuous vehicles and ensure that vehicles, clothing and luggage are free of logos
Extreme weather conditions
 Risk to employees of dehydration, lethargy, heat stroke and sun burn from high temperatures out-doors.
 Research the weather conditions and pack appropriate clothing / products.
 The student is returning to his home town/country where he has lived since he was born – he is aware of the
risks and the measures needed to combat them. He will carry bottled water with him at all times, will use sun
screen and stay out of the sun during the hours of 11 am and 3 pm. For other weather conditions such as
flooding, Student will follow local guidance.
Dealing with infections and health conditions
 Risk to employees of infection, dehydration, lethargy and digestive/stomach conditions.
 Student does not suffer from any health conditions.
 Take precautions for food and drinking, pack medication to treat digestive complaints, Medical attention to be
sought where symptoms are experienced / persist.
 Immunisations required and advised by GP have been provided
 The insurance certificate and insurance cover will be taken and made available if required.
 Student is aware of the risks and the measures needed to combat them, he has had childhood immunisations.
 Student is a qualified doctor and so he is aware of general public health measures for preventing infections.
Student will seek further advice where necessary.
Travel & Transport
 Risks to employees and public of road/air accident causing risk of theft, injury and fatality
 FCO travel advice checked and followed, use safest possible transport available. FCO LOCATE service used.
Control Risks website viewed and used for information.
 Student will use transport services which are considered safe, including air, rail and road. Itinerary planning
to avoid travelling early in the morning or late at night. Student has his own car in Iraq and will use this to get
to and from work which is a 15 minute drive away. He will also only drive in safe areas and within non
curfew times. Student’s car is maintained, tested and safe. He has experience in driving at Karbala and has
the appropriate arrangements in place, e.g. insurance, license.
 Luggage will be kept close and monitored at all times. Employees will store luggage in appropriate locked
facilities and check the luggage thoroughly on pick up.
 Electronic copies or photocopies of passport to be held where required.
 Student’s PhD work will be confined within the University campus during day-hours so he will not need a lot
of travelling, however when travelling the student will adhere to the advice given at a local level. He will
where possible, avoid establishing identifiable routines.
 An electronic copy of passport to be held where required by the student and a copy to be held by the head of
the Department at Karbala University.
Additional Hazards or Information
 Risk to Student of Terrorism and hostage, being injured including fractures, unconsciousness and possible
fatality.
 In the event of a terrorist incident, and where it is safe to do so, return to your accommodation immediately
and remain until the situation is stabilised. Follow local security guidance.
 The University insurance company will has provided a specialist risk report and this has been used to inform
the risk assessment process
 Employee will regularly view FCO and local news for any changes in advice and will follow.
 A weekly email will be sent by Student to his supervisor every Monday – copied into the rest of his
supervisory team. If this email is not received they will send a reminder and if there is no acknowledgement
by the Wednesday, Supervisor will attempt to contact Student by telephone and then by email/telephone with
Student’s contact person in Iraq. If no contact has been possible by the Wednesday, then Supervisor will
inform the University Insurance Office. If Supervisor is on holiday/away from the office then another
member of the supervisory team will carry out the reminder/chase up. Copies of this document with contact
information will be kept by Karbala contacts, Supervisor, Student and the School of Interesting Studies at
Newcastle University.
Assessor
Name: J Bloggs
Signature: J Bloggs
Date 13/08/2010
PI / Module Leader / Line Manager / Supervisor
Name: Dr Adventure
Signature: Dr Adventure
Date 30/08/2010