Potential hazards (OBUHSN 24) Appendix 1

Feasibility of project

Access

Fitness

Pre-expedition training

Training

Navigation
First-aid
Languages
Interpersonal skills
Hygiene/health education
Specific skills – e.g. diving, chain saws, use of ropes

Health

Health questionnaire
Medical/dental check-up
Vaccination (especially Tetanus)
First-aid kit(s)
Sterile packs

Staffing

Staff to student ratios
Deputising arrangements
Competence of all leaders

Health and Safety enquiries

+44 (0) 1865 603060

healthandsafety@brookes.ac.uk

Risks inherent in the site

Physical hazards

Biological hazards

Venomous, lively or aggressive animals
Plants
Pathogenic micro-organisms (Tetanus, Leptospirosis etc)

Chemical hazards

Agrochemicals and pesticides
Dusts (COSHH assessments OBUHSN-19)
Chemicals on site (COSHH assessments OBUHSN-19)

Man-made hazards

Hazards to the environment

Pollution
Disturbance of eco-systems
Waste minimisation

Risks inherent in work

Training

Chemical hazards

COSHH assessments for the work on site, OBUHSN-19

Biological hazards

COSHH assessments for the work on site, OBUHSN-19
Animals
Plants

Personal safety

Risk of attack
Routine communications
Communications in emergency

Organisation of the fieldwork

Pre-planning

Travel documents
Next of kin & GP notes
Medical problems noted
Appropriate authorities informed (Police, Mountain Rescue, Coast Guard etc)

Catering

Provision of food
Hygiene
Portable water
Food preparation and storage
Fuel for cooking

The group

Leader (experience, qualifications competence)
Chain of command (deputies etc)
Staff to student ratios
Personal inter-group relationships
Size of working groups (maximum, minimum)
Responsibilities for aspects of work
Accommodation

The individual

Lone working avoided
Adequate clothing
PPE provided
Individual trained & fit

Equipment

Fit for the purpose
Used properly
Well maintained
Repairable on site
Need to duplicate

Conduct of fieldwork

Local conditions

Weather forecast
Local knowledge/rules
Farming practices
Itinerary and return times
Appropriate permission sought

Transport

The group

Present and correct (roll calls)
Correctly equipped (PPE etc)
Not over-loaded
First-aid kit(s) and emergency equipment
Survival aids
Group size and supervision

Working practices

Lone working avoided
Communication systems
"Buddy" system or lookouts
Provision of shelter
Safety lines, nets, harnesses, boats etc
Safe working systems
Permit to work (confined spaces etc)
Workers trained and fit
Limitations of time spent working

Emergencies

Communication
Protection of remaining party
Evacuation
Recovery of casualties
Chain of command