Field Work Risk Assessments Guidance For Staff And .
Field work risk assessmentsGuidance for staff and studentsDepartment of GeographyRoyal Holloway University of London
Introduction – What is a risk assessment?A risk assessment must be carried out by the majority of staff/students planning a project. The onlyexception is those researchers carrying out computer related research from their home or usual Collegeaddress.A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people whilst taking part in a project,it aims to identify whether enough precautions, or ‘control measures’, are in place, or whether further actionis required to minimize, or eliminate, the level of risk identified. The ultimate aim is to prevent accidents andillness.This guide has been produced to help staff and students understand what information needs to beconsidered and included when writing a risk assessment. Reading through this guide will hopefullyenable you to carry out your own risk assessment for any project you are planning.The type of hazards identified, and the level of risk they present, will vary depending on the projectundertaken but regardless of risk level all workers must show that they have considered the potentialhazards they may face and ways to reduce the associated level of risk.
Introduction – DefinitionsHAZARD: A hazard is anything that may cause harm. Consider a hole in the ground as an example.RISK: The risk can be considered as the combination of the likelihood of something happening and theseverity of the outcome. Using our example what is the likelihood of someone falling down the hole andbeing injured? The level of risk will depend on a number of things such as the size of the hole, or its location.The level of risk can, however, be reduced by using control measures.CONTROL MEASURE: A control measure is something that will reduce the level of risk. It can be an action youneed to take or a physical item. The obvious action would be to fill in the hole and eliminate the riskaltogether but this may not be able to be done straight away. We must use other control measures in theinterim including putting up barriers, lighting the area, using warning signs and diversions, etc. By puttingthese control measures in place the severity may remain the same but the likelihood of someone falling issignificantly reduced. Another control measure might involve temporarily covering the hole. In this instance,although the hazard has not been removed entirely, both the severity and likelihood of an accident occurringhave been reduced.
The risk assessment form A meeting should be held between the fieldworker and their supervisor to discuss and completethe risk assessment. The information provided by the forms is intended to enable the risks to beassessed fully by the individual, their supervisor and the departmental health and safety coordinator (HSC). There are 2 parts to the risk assessment (Annex 1 and Annex 2). Both must be filled outelectronically and they should be submitted together as one document. It is important that youkeep a copy for future reference or amendment. Provide as much detail as possible – remember that some people reading your assessment maynot be familiar with your plans. Fieldwork can not take place until risk assessments have been received and approved by the HSC.Risk assessments should be handed in to the HSC at least two weeks before the start of theproject to allow time for amendments if required.
Annex 1 :Annex 1 is for detailing the logistics of your field trip e.g. who,where, when etc.Section 1 – General Arrangements: Fill out all boxes. ‘Proposed field trip by’ – add your name ‘Name of risk assessor’ – this should be you and your supervisor. ‘Location’ – list all locations you plan to visitSection 2 – Detailed itinerary If doing field work in more than one location add details for allsites. The ‘fieldwork base camp’ will be the location you arecarrying out your field work. If this is an outdoor location withno address you should add your mobile number. In the summary of proposed activities box add a sentence toexplain your planned research activities. There is no need toinclude detailed methodology here. List the equipment you intend to use.
Annex 1 :Section 3 – Pre-trip preparation and checks:Not all of these will apply to every risk assessment. Delete the ‘Yes/No’options as appropriate or replace with a ‘n/a’. ‘Insurance’ – details of your insurance are required if you aretravelling abroad ‘Equipment inventory’ – if you have listed your equipment in section2 answer ‘yes’. If your equipment list is large it can be attached as aseparate document. ‘List of fieldworkers’ is only relevant to group field trips. ‘Ratio of staff to students’ is only applicable to staff-led trips. List any vaccinations required if working abroad ‘Specific health requirements’ and ‘record of next of kin’ are onlyrelevant to group field trips. ‘Record of Foreign Office advice’ should be included if travel outsideof Europe or the USA is planned.Section 4 – Declaration: The form must be signed by you as the risk assessorYour supervisor must also sign before it is submitted.The Health and Safety Co-ordinator will sign on approval of theassessment. If not approved the H&S co-ordinator will return theform with comments/questions and request re-submission.
Annex 2:
Annex 2Annex 2 details identified hazards and their associated level of risk. In order tocomplete Annex 2 you should think about the following : Where? Who? How? When?- what kind of environment will you be working in?- will it involve others?- what equipment will you need to use?- how will you get there?- what time of year/day will you be working?
Consider these locations and the hazards they presentHow does the level of risk change due to:Number of field workers?Familiarity with location?Weather?Season?
Annex 2 explainedAt the very top of Annex 2 there are 3 columns:Name of person undertaking riskassessmentDate conductedField trip/Field work to be undertakenEnter your name and your supervisor’sname if the assessment has beendiscussed with themEnter the date the riskassessment was writtenGive a brief description of the field work its locationThe rest of Annex 2 is split into 7 columns:Ref NoHazard underreviewNo & Description ofpersonnel involvedExisting controlsAssessed levelof riskFurther actionrequiredBy (Date) Review DateNumbereachhazardidentifiede.g.1Describe each hazardand the problems itcould lead to eggwet/windy weathercould lead toexposure/hypothermia/ otherillnessHow many people will beat risk? Will anyone behelping you? Will itinvolve members of thepublic?E.g. 1 student, 1 staff, upto 10 members of thepublicWhat is in place toreduce the riskidentified?E.g. will haveappropriate waterproof clothingTick the relevantbox to indicatewhether the risklevel is low,medium or highbearing in mindyour existingcontrols. See nextDoes anything extraneed to be done beforeor during the field tripto reduce the risk level?E.g. check the weatherforecast daily / buywater-proof clothingThis is onlyrelevant if youhave identifiedfurtheractions? Whenmust they becompleted by?slide for further info.
Assessing the level of riskTo establish the level of risk (Low, Medium or High) associated with each hazard you must consider the frequency of an occurrence taking place, andthe likely severity of the consequences. Take into account the number of people who may be involved and the existing control measures you alreadyhave in place.STEP 1 – Hazard ratingEstablish the frequency and severity of each of your hazards using the 2 lists below.Severity1 No Injury or Illness2 Minor Injury or Illness3 ‘Lost Time’ Injury or Illness4 ‘Over 3 Day’ Injury or Illness5 Major Injury or Illness6 Fatality, Disabling Injury/IllnessProbable Frequency1 Zero to Very Low2 Very unlikely3 Unlikely4 Likely5 Very likely6 Almost certainThen, using table 1 below multiply your estimated ‘Probable Frequency’ rating by yourestimated ‘Severity’ rating to derive your hazard rating.Using the hazard rating you arrived at using table 1 now refer to table 2 (below).Your Hazard Rating will fall within one of the six bands in column 1. From theappropriate hazard rating band, read across the table to establish the level ofrisk you are dealing with, i.e. LOW, MEDIUM or HIGH.Hazard ratingLevel of risk0-5LOW6-11SEVERITYFREQUENCYSTEP 2 – Level of HAny hazards calculated to be medium or high risk require theaddition of further control measures until they become low risk.
Hazard identificationFor all field work there are numerous hazards to consider.The following pages list common hazards that are relevant to a range of field work scenarios. Not allwill apply to everyone but you need to think about which ones could impact you.These examples are by no means exhaustive and are meant for guidance. In discussion with yoursupervisor you should consider any further hazards that may be applicable to the field work you areplanning. Perhaps, although relevant to your fieldwork, you need to consider alternative controlmeasures to those suggested here due to the location you are working in, or the people you areworking with.
Physical hazardsHazardControl measuresTides – risk of becoming trapped orwashed out to seaConsult tide tables, plan work so that you work on a falling tideWeather conditions (wet, cold, hot, dry)– risk of exposure, dehydration,exhaustion etc.Consult weather forecast before setting out each day, allow flexibility for rescheduling ifnecessary, wear appropriate clothing, be prepared for changing weather conditions, ensure youhave plenty of food and water, consult maps to identify places of shelter when necessary, use sunblockCliffs/Quarries – risk of rock falls, cliffcollapseWhen working below a cliff face wear a safety helmet, do not climb, do not approach the edge ofa cliff face, do not work at cliff faces or on cliff tops in very wet/windy weatherUneven/slippery terrain – risk of slips,trips and fallsWear good boots with ankle support, working after dusk not permittedMudflats and estuaries – risk of sinkingand twisted anklesAvoid crossing active channels, work on a falling tide, do not enter fast flowing water, do notenter water above knee heightWorking at altitude – risk of altitudesicknessKeep hydrated, ensure acclimatisation period is included in schedule, seek specialist advice beforetravel
Biological hazardsHazardControl measuresSoils – risk of contamination frombacteriaWear gloves when in contact with soils, wash hands before eating/drinking, do not enter fieldswith DEFRA notices on them even if given permission by the land owner.Wild/farm animals – risk of beingattacked by aggressive animalsDo not approach animals, avoid passing through fields with livestock if possible, if necessary passthrough fields quickly and avoid walking near the animalsPoisonous plants – risk of skin disorderor illnessWear long trousers and sleevesWater borne diseases – risk of infectionand illnessWear gloves when collecting water samples, do not drink untreated water, wash hands beforeeating or drinking, drink only boiled/filtered or bottled water.Ticks – risk of Lyme disease, tick bitefeverWear long trousers and sleeves, check skin for ticks each evening, to remove a tick use a tickremoval tool or fine-pointed tweezers if available, if symptoms occur seek medical attentionBiting insects – risk of transmission ofdisease e.g. malaria, yellow feverUse insect repellent, keep covered, avoid work at dawn and dusk when insects are most active, ifappropriate take anti-malarial tablets, carry anti-histamine in case of bites
Chemical hazardsHazardControl measuresPesticides – risk of illnessWear gloves when in contact with soils, wash hands before eating/drinkingContaminated soil – risk of illnessWear gloves when in contact with soils, wash hands before eating/drinking, keep any openwounds coveredAir pollution – risk of damage to lungsWear face mask in highly polluted areas, check that others involved do not suffer with breathingdifficulties e.g. asthmaCrop-spraying – risk of ingestionSeek information from land owners as to whether crop-spraying has occurred recently, avoidpools or puddles which may contain residual chemicalsUse of chemicals in laboratoryUse all chemicals in a fume cupboard, read all relevant CoSHH forms before commencing work,use relevant Personal Protective Equipment, receive training from Technical staffWater pollution – risk of illness andbuild up of toxic chemicalsWear gloves when sampling water, do not drink water from unknown sources
Man-made hazardsHazardControl measuresAbandoned/insecure buildings – risk ofbuilding collapse,Do not enter buildings unless told it is safe to do so by appropriate person, wear hard hats and hiviz waistcoat,Traffic – risk of road accidentObey rules of the road, cross roads at designated locations where possible, if working besidemajor roads wear bright clothing or a hi-visibility waistcoatMachinery/equipment – risk of injuryReceive full training from relevant member of staff before using any machinery, follow establishedproceduresDiscarded rubbish – risk of cuts to skinand infectionWear shoes at all times, wear gloves if coming into contact with litter/wasteAgricultural land – ploughed fields anddrainage ditches increase the risk oftrips and sprainsUse existing bridges to get across ditchesProtective fences e.g. electrified orbarbed – risk of injuryDo not work close to fences, if close work is required avoid working with your back to the fenceto reduce the risk of backing into it. Do not jump over fences – use gates or stiles.
Personal safetyHazardControl measuresLone working – risk of personal attackWork in public areas, have mobile phone on at all times, do not enter unfamiliar areas alone, donot carry more money than needed, leave details of your itinerary with a friend or familymember, carry a personal alarmRemoteness – risk of poorcommunicationLeave schedule with responsible person, no lone working permittedCultural differences – risk of offendingothersPlan interview questions before going into the field, if offence is caused remove self fromsituation, respect local customs, dress appropriatelyMedical conditions/disabilitiesEnsure adequate medication is carried, know your limitations and stop work if necessary, letsomeone know of your medical condition before embarking on fieldwork, carry a first aid kitPublic unrest/Military actionIf unrest breaks out leave the area, if travelling abroad consult Foreign Office adviceUnfamiliar locations- risk of getting lostStudy maps of the area before setting out, carry mobile phone at all times, let someone knowwhere you are going and what time you plan to be back.
Environmental hazards (note that environmental hazards include risksfrom the environment to the individual but also risks to the environment as a resultof your actions)HazardControl measuresWorking near roads for long periods oftime – risk of damage to lungsWear a face mask, take regular breaks away from polluted areasDisturbance of ecosystemWhere possible follow existing paths, take all rubbish homeRusting/Sharp items of litterAlways wear shoes when walking in a riverbed, wear gloves if handling discarded litterRisk of absorption of contaminantsthrough skinWear gloves if handling plants etc. growing near the roadside, cover any open cutsForest fires – risk of destruction ofenvironmentDo not smoke in dry forests, keep glass equipment covered in high temperatures
Other hazardsHazardControl measuresWorking in other establishmentsCheck establishments have their own safety guidelines in place (they should be able to provideyou with their own risk assessments), follow all instructions given by establishmentManual handling – risk of injury to backBend at the knees when lifting items, hold items close to the body, seek proper training in manualhandling techniques, do not carry equipment further than is necessary, seek help from anotherpersonWorking in other people’s homesDo not enter the house if the appropriate person is not available, leave the house immediately ifanybody becomes aggressive/argumentativeTrespassingGet written permission from landowner/relevant authority before entering siteNoise – risk of damage to earsWear ear protectors,Change of schedule due to unexpectedeventsExtra days available if plans need to change, flexibility built into trip plan to allow for requiredchanges
Example:Name of Person Undertaking AssessmentDate ConductedField trip / Field work being undertakenClaire Mayers14 July 2016Vegetation survey in Windsor Great Park, August 2016Ref NoHazard under reviewNo & Description ofStaff/Students/Others InvolvedExisting ControlsAssessed Level ofRiskFurther Action RequiredBy (Date) ReviewDateCheck weather forecast before departure1 Aug – 30Aug 16LMHPhysical Hazards (e.g. extreme weather, mountains and cliffs, quarries, excavations, marshes and quicksand, fresh or seawater, etc.)*1Hot weather – risk of dehydration,sun burn and sunstroke1 student, 1 familymemberApply high factor sun cream atregular intervals, work in theshade during hottest part of theday, wear a hat, carry sufficientdrinking water.x2Heavy rain – ground may becomeslippery and lead to injury1 student, 1 familymemberCheck local forecast and changeplans if bad weather predicted.Flexibility built into schedule.x3Uneven ground – risk of tripping,twisting ankles/knees1 student, 1 familymemberWear appropriate footwear withankle supportxBiological Hazards (e.g. poisonous animals or plants, aggressive animals, soil (tetanus), freshwater where rats may be endemic (leptospirosis or Weil’s disease), dense vegetation (whereLyme disease from sheep ticks could be endemic), insects, hygiene, etc.)*4Poisonous plants – risk of skinirritation, upset stomach1 student, 1 familymemberWear gloves when handlingplants,xPurchase book / carry out internetresearch on poisonous plants found inWindsor Great ParkChemical Hazards (e.g. pesticides, dusts, contaminated soils, chemicals brought on the site, biological fixatives, etc.)*Man-made Hazards (e.g. electrical equipment, machinery, transport and vehicles, insecure buildings, slurry and silage pits, power and pipelines, military property)*Personal Safety (e.g. lone working, night working, attack on person or property, cultural differences, poor communication/remoteness etc.)*Environmental Hazards (e.g. pollution, rubbish, disturbance of eco-system, etc.)*1 student, 1 familyTake all litter home, avoid5Damage to local environmentmembertreading on sensitive areasOther Hazards (please specify)*-x31 July2016
Department of Geography . A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people whilst taking part in a project, it aims to identify whether enough precautions, or ‘control measures’, are in place, or whether further action . For all
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