UCL Department of Geography

Description Photo Here

Personal tools

Log in

This is SunRain Plone Theme

UCL Home / Geography / Resources / Safety / Risk Assessment / Fieldwork Risk Assessment / Hazard Tables / Environment

Environment

Weather/Climate

Risks	Associated Control Measures
Miscellaneous	Consult a daily weather forecast before setting out. Check Met Office forecast, Wear clothing suitable for expected weather conditions. However, be prepared for sudden changes and where possible take a change of clothes. Strong winds and cold weather reduce energy levels; take adequate food and drink supplies. Be aware of places to seek shelter when necessary Allow extra time for travelling inadverse weather conditions.
Hypothermia - This results from dangerous loss of body heat. The main land based cause is wind chill, through inadequate clothing. Immersion in cold water can rapidly lead to hypothermia.	Ensure clothing is appropriate and use a survival suit in extremely cold weather. Wear a woollen hat - this will significantly reduce heat loss. Wear lots of layered clothing - remove layers to reduce sweating. Wear woollen gloves under waterproof gloves. Eat plenty of food and drink plenty of fluids.
Frostbite - This results from lack of circulation in the extremities caused by severe cold. It is most common when hands or feet are wet. High altitude can exaggerate the problem as circulation tends to be less efficient in these environments.	Wear woollen gloves under waterproof gloves. Make sure shoes/boots are loose enough to allow room for two pairs of warm socks and still not be tight. Restricting circulation with tight shoes will make you more prone to frostbite. Be aware that the altitude you will be working at will affect your susceptibility to frostbite. Ensure that footwear is waterproof.
Poor Visibility - This can be due to driving rain, snow etc. or fog. Working at dawn or dusk can also lead to visibility problems.	If problems are due to adverse weather conditions, seek shelter and wait for weather to clear. If working at dawn or dusk, ensure a torch is carried. Wear high visibilty clothing, so that you can be seen easily. If working close to cliffs etc. attempt to move away from the edge before visibility becomes too poor. Carry and use a whistle to aid others in locating you.
Sunburn - This can occur even in cold conditions, especially where there is reflected light - e.g. close to or on water, at high altitude, in snowy conditions. Any exposed area of the skin is susceptible (face and hands).	Use a high factor Sun block If working in full sun, do not expose skin unnecessarily. Make sure back of neck is covered. Wear Sun glasses to protect eyes.
Dehydration - This can occur in hot or cold weather - wind can be a contribtuting factor.	Drink plenty of fluids - it is recommended that more than 3 litres per person per day is necessary in hot weather. Do not drink alcohol or caffeinated drinks.
Heat stroke/heat exhaustion - These are due to the body over heating and are often accompanied by dehydration.	Avoid working in full sun. Drink plenty of fluids. Always wear a sun hat. Keep back of neck covered. If feeling particularly hot, find some shade and rest.

Terrain

Terrain types	Risks	Associated Control Measures
General	Slips, trips and falls - Due to "wrong footing" on uneven or wet/slippery ground.	Wear footwear suitable for the conditions. Plan route carefully to avoid most uneven ground. Ensure you can see where you are putting your feet before walking. Avoid working in poor light conditions.
General	Back and neck injuries- Due to jarring spine etc. This can also lead to skull fractures.	Do not jump over or off anything. If there is a drop or ditch that has to be negotiated,lower yourself slowly or use existing bridges, steps etc. Be aware that landing "heavily", thus jarring the spine, can lead to basal fractures of the skull or concussion. In the event of such an injury, medical attention must be sought immediately.
Agricultural Land	Slips, trips and falls	Be aware that agricultural land is often ploughed and therefore deeply rutted.
	Breaks and sprains	Do not jump over drainage ditches. Always use existing bridges etc. Ensure appropriate footwear is worn to protect ankles.
	Risk of personal injury caused by boundary fences - electric fences, Barbed wire, hedges etc.	If working close to fences etc. avoid working with your back to the fence, in case you back into it. Do not climb over fences - use gates or stiles
Heathland, Moorland and Mountains	Slips, trips and falls	Rocky outcrops are extremely slippery when wet, avoid walking on them whenever possible. Wear strong gloves to protect hands against cuts and grazes. When walking down hill, walk across the slope and not down the steepest path, keeping your weight on the back foot as much as possible - if you slip you should try to fall backwards, not forwards! Wherever possible follow existing paths.
	Breaks and sprains	Do not jump off ledges etc. Ensure appropriate footwear is worn to protect ankles.
	Altitude sickness, low oxygen levels - Be aware that when working at high altitude Oxygen levels are lower and you will tire quickly.	Do not try to do too much at once. There is a higher risk of sunburn at high altitude - use a higher factor sunblock. If you are feeling tired or yawning this may be due to lack of oxygen, not sleep. Seek specialist advice on climbing to and working at high altitude.
Beaches and Cliffs	Falls	Be aware of high winds on cliff tops - do not stand closer to the edge than is necessary. Check for soft or crumbling ground near cliff edges. Where necessary approach cliff edges on all fours to spread the body weight. Do not stand and peer over the edge of cliffs.
	Slips and trips	Take special care on slippery rocks. Always look ahead at ground when walking around the water's edge.
	Drowning/cut off by tide	Be aware of in coming tides. Check tide tables before commencing work and ensure your escape route is not blocked.
Mudflats and Esturies	Slips, trips and falls.	Avoid wearing waders - wellingtons are preferable. Waders are cumbersome and may encourage you to go deeper into water than is safe. Use a pole to probe ahead to assess the stability of shoreline terrain. Take special care on slippery rocks. Always look ahead at ground when walking around the water's edge. When sampling in flowing water environments, be careful of slippery or steep banks and fast currents. If the current is fast or the water looks deeper than knee height, do not enter the water. If you must enter the water, a rope should be tied around your waist and secured to the bank.
Mudflats and Esturies	Sinking/drowning	If stuck in mud, do not struggle as this causes deeper sinking. Roll on back and spread weight evenly whilst attempting to "sledge" to firmer ground. Be aware of in coming tides. Check tide tables before commencing work and ensure your escape route is not blocked.

Location

Risks	Associated Control Measures
Risk of causing offence which may lead to personal attack/abuse.	Respect must be paid to local customs and problems, and advice taken from local contacts, embassies etc. Dress appropriately. Consult Foreign Office for advice.
War/Military action.	Be aware of political, military or civil unrest through communicating with residents or buying local newspapers. Consult Foreign Office for advice. Inform nearest Embassy of your presence in the country when you arrive to enable them to keep you informed of any hazardous situations and advise you of what to do. Know places of refuge, flight transfers and procedure in an emergency situation.
Working within other establishments, businesses, laboratories etc.	Ensure establishment has their own safety guidelines in place. Whilst on the premises follow their guidelines.
Working beside major roads	Wear brightly coloured, conspicuous clothing. Avoid having your back towards the traffic flow.

District/Neighbourhood

Risks	Associated Control Measures
Risk of attack/abuse and personal injury	Avoid areas known to be "unpleasant" Seek information on areas before setting out. Consult Local Community groups, Local Authorities, Police etc. for information and possible contact names before setting out. Do not enter unfamiliar neighbourhoods alone. Walk with confidence and purpose - try not to look as if you are not sure of where you are going. Do not carry more money than you need to. Dress appropriately - try to fit in without attracting attention.
Risk of getting lost - this may lead to straying into high risk areas.	Study maps of the area before setting out. Plan your route carefully. Ensure you know of a second route should the first be impassable. Ensure you have a means of raising alarm if you are lost.

Animals

Risks	Associated Control Measures
Personal injury and attack by Livestock or "Domesticated" animals.	If necessary to do so, pass through fields with animals quickly or limit your working time in that area or return later. Try to avoid walking near to the animals. Be especially aware of pregnant animals or those with young.
Snakes, scorpions, spiders - risks of bites from venomous animals.	Wear protective footwear. Look carefully where you are treading or putting your hands. If appropriate, check shoes and shake out clothing before putting them on. Ensure you know where to go or what to do in case of injury - Seek local information before you go into the field.
Biting and stinging insects can cause discomfort and infection e.g. allergic reactions and malaria; ticks may be found on bushes where cattle are or have recently passed and on the cattle themselves.	Use insect repellent particularly in the evenings or when near standing water. If appropriate, Anti -malaria tablets should be taken. Carry anit-histamine tablets in case of bites. Be aware that some forms of anti-histamine can cause drowsiness. If affected do not continue with fieldwork. Clean and cover any bites to reduce risk of infection. To remove ticks safely, wear plastic gloves and preferably use a tick removal tool. Be aware that not all types of tool are as safe as they claim to be and can cause damage or compression to the tick. In the absence of a tick-removal tool, use fine-pointed tweezers. Approach the tick from the side to avoid compressing its body. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible. Gently pull/lever upwards until the tick detaches. Do not twist as tweezers exert too much pressure on the mouth parts and they may break off. After removal, disinfect the bite site thoroughly and check for any remaining parts (these may be removed with a sterile needle).Wash hands with soap and water or disinfect them. It can be useful to keep the tick for a while in case you become ill over the following weeks; it can help your doctor in making a diagnosis. Write the date of the bite on a piece of paper in pencil and put it with the tick in a plastic bag, then store in the freezer. To dispose of the tick, throw the whole unopened bag away in the dustbin. Do not handle the tick with bare hands, even if it is dead. Should any symptoms occur, seek medical advice without delay. Photograph any rashes.
Other People's "Pets" - risk of inujry, allergy, etc.	Be aware that not all pets are "friendly" If entering a house with a dog or cat, ask that the animal be put in another room if you feel uncomfortable. If you are "wary" of a dog, do not enter the house unless the owner is prepared to remove the animal from the room you are going to be in. (Be polite and tactful when asking!) See also allergies
Phobias	Individuals who have phobias relating to e.g. wasps and bees, should be "buddied" with others who do not. The buddy should help to calm the individual and frighten off the insect if necessary. Try to avoid situations which may bring you into contact with the object of your phobia. Ensure at least one other member of the group is aware of the problem.

Pollution

Examples of hazard areas	Risks	Associated Control Measures
Long term work next to major roads/motorways	Risk of long term damage to lungs.	Do not enter the area unless absolutely necessary Carry out work at times when traffic levels are low Wear a face mask with a filter suitable for the category of pollutant.
	Risk of damage to hearing from loud/continuous noise	Do not enter the area unless absolutely necessary Carry out work at times when traffic levels are low Wear ear protection - "ear defenders" will cut out high frequency sound without cutting out all noise; "ear plugs" will cut out all noise. Do not be tempted to use a personal stereo to "drown out" the noise, as they will also prevent you from hearing things you may need to hear. (see travelling alone)
	Risk of absorption through skin - some toxins are accumulative and constant absorption or repeated exposure can lead to long term health effects.	Do not enter the area unless absolutely necessary Carry out work at times when traffic levels are low Keep skin covered as much as possible Wear gloves if handing plants etc growing near the roadside. Wash/shower as soon as possible after finishing work Be aware that clothing will also be contaminated - wash clothing after finishing work.
Working near power stations/smelting works/chemical plants	Risk of long term damage to lungs.	Do not enter the area unless absolutely necessary Do not spend longer than necessary in the area. Wear a face mask with a filter suitable for the category of pollutant.
	Risk of absorption through skin - some toxins are accumulative and constant absorption or repeated exposure can lead to long term health effects.	Do not enter the area unless absolutely necessary Keep skin covered as much as possible Wear gloves if handing plants etc growing near in the area Wash/shower as soon as possible after finishing work Be aware that clothing will also be contaminated - wash clothing after finishing work. Be aware that toxins etc may be carried by rain from higher in the atmosphere. Be cautious of any skin reaction that may occur - seek medical attention.