Accessibility statement

Risk Assessment for UK Fieldwork Activities

  • The degree of risk associated with most UK fieldtrips is normally considerably less than those overseas, where the environment is often less predictable and our knowledge of that environment poor. However, it is still important that an assessment is completed for all departmental fieldwork trips:
  • By recording the assessment, you will be able to demonstrate that you have considered the safety of your field work activity in a serious and systematic manner.
  • The complexity of the risk assessment should be proportionate to the level of risk.  For instance, it may be sensible to make simple generic assessments for routine, well supervised visits to low risk areas which can be safely managed by following the code of good fieldwork practice. However, a specific assessment and more extensive planning would be required for higher risk fieldwork activities, e.g. a small group planning an extended stay in a wilderness area.
  • The measures outlined in the departmental code of good fieldwork practicewill be sufficient to control risks associated with most departmental fieldwork activities in the UK. However, the risk assessment form should be used to:
    • highlight the most significant hazards (including travel to and from the department) associated with your fieldtrip - remember, a risk assessment that is too cluttered with minor concerns will be discarded in the field as a bureaucrat’s folly, and will devalue the whole process
    • identify key control measures to eliminate or reduce risks to acceptable levels