UCD RISK ASSESSMENT UCDH1

FIELDWORK (GENERAL)
Important Note
This document is a general risk assessment for fieldwork. This risk assessment is designed to act as an initial
guide to those persons engaged in fieldwork. Fieldworkers should refer to the UCD Fieldwork Safety Guidelines
for further safety information and complete the UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Template (see below) where it is
deemed necessary.

Introduction
For a number of academic disciplines fieldwork is an essential part of the core teaching, learning and research
functions. The University requires that fieldwork is undertaken in a safe and responsible manner. Persons
engaged in fieldwork should aim to undertake their fieldwork in a safe manner without endangering their own or
their co-workers safety. Potential hazards in fieldwork operations are numerous and may stem from environment
conditions, type of work undertaken, terrain, biological risks, etc.

Persons At Risk
All persons engaged in fieldwork are at risk.

Date Of Assessment
Risk Assessment

01/08/2007

Completed By

UCD Safety Office

Probability Rating

Outcome Rating

Risk Rating

Likely

Harmful

Moderate Risk

Measures Required To Reduce Risk

1. Solo fieldwork should be avoided wherever possible.
2. Group expeditions should have an appointed expedition leader who is responsible for fieldwork safety and for
ensuring that all expedition participants receive a safety briefing before undertaking ant tasks.
3. Where

necessary

adequate

insurance

cover

for

fieldwork

undertaken

should

be

confirmed

(insurance@ucd.ie).
4. Where necessary permission should be obtained from landowners before working on private property.
5. Adequate provisions should be made for persons with disabilities and medical conditions.
6. Adequate first aid provisions should be made where necessary.
7. All necessary safety equipment as identified during risk assessment / preplanning must be carried.
8. Details of fieldwork must be left with a responsible person who has instructions to contact the emergency
services in the event that a fieldwork expedition does not return at an allotted time.
9. Fieldwork expeditions must be designed and carried out so as to minimise the risks from physical hazards;
biological hazards; chemical hazards; man made hazards; and any other hazards identified.
10. The environmental impact of all fieldtrips should be minimised in so far as is possible.

Residual risk
(when all control
measures have been
implemented)
Residual risk
acceptable

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Probability Rating

Outcome Rating

Risk Rating

Unlikely

Harmful

Acceptable Risk

Yes

Revision History

This is an original document.

University College Dublin Safety Office

UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

Department:

Assessor:

Date:

1. Proposed Dates Of Fieldwork

2. Name Of Fieldwork Leader / Solo Fieldworker (delete as appropriate)

3. For group expeditions detail names and positions of persons involved (e.g.
undergraduates, postgraduates, staff, etc) attach extra sheets if required

Tick as appropriate
4. Has adequate insurance been obtained?

Yes

No

N/A

5. Have Suitable travel arrangements

been made (incl. licensed drivers)?

Yes

No

N/A

6. Has permission been obtained to work

onsite?

Yes

No

N/A

7. Has adequate documented training and

information been given to all participants?

Yes

No

N/A

8. Have next of kin details been obtained

for all participants?

Yes

No

N/A

9. Has adequate provision been made for

persons with disability / health problems?

Yes

No

N/A

10. Have adequate first aid provisions

been made?

Yes

No

N/A

University College Dublin Safety Office

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UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

11. Hazard Identification And Risk Assessment
1. Identify the hazards - find out about the site, the work, where you will be
staying, how you will be travelling etc.
2. Identify who might be harmed and how - think about risks to yourself and
others in your team. People with health problems, disabilities or lacking experience
in fieldwork may be at greater risk and need extra protection.
3. Evaluate the risks and consider how the risk of harm can be reduced - what
arrangements, equipment and training etc. will help to avoid accidents or illness?
4. Record your findings - on the risk assessment form below. This assessment
should form the basis of safe working practices and local rules. Dont just fill in the
form and forget it - make sure everyone in your team knows about the risks and
how to avoid them.
5. Review and revise your assessment where necessary - you should do this
when there are significant changes in materials, equipment, work methods, location
or people involved. Assessments should also be reviewed if there are accidents or
near-misses associated with the work.

University College Dublin Safety Office

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UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

11. Hazard Identification Risk Assessment Contd.
Hazards

Hazard / Risk Control Measures

Physical hazards (e.g. extreme weather; mountains

and cliffs, quarries, marshes and quicksand; fresh or
seawater)

Biological hazards (e.g. poisonous plants; aggressive

animals, soil or water micro organisms; insects)

Chemical hazards (e.g. pesticides; dusts;

contaminated soils; chemicals brought into site)

University College Dublin Safety Office

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Risk (High, Medium, Low)

UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

Hazards

Hazard / Risk Control Measures

Risk (High, Medium, Low)

Hazard / Risk Control Measures

Risk (High, Medium, Low)

Man-made hazards (e.g. electrical equipment;

vehicles, insecure buildings; slurry pits; power and
pipelines)

Personal safety (e.g. lone working, attack on person

or property)

Environmental impact (e.g. rubbish; pollution)

Hazards

University College Dublin Safety Office

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UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

Other hazards (specify)

Can all risks be reduced to an acceptable level?

University College Dublin Safety Office

Yes

No

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(if no then fieldwork may not proceed)

UCD Fieldwork Risk Assessment Record

12. Detail all necessary safety and other equipment that must be carried by
the expedition as a whole and by every individual, include clothing
requirements.

13. Detail fieldwork emergency response plan, including emergency response

contact numbers

14. Give details and contact arrangements of the designated responsible

person

Signed

_______________
Name of Assessor

_______________
Position

University College Dublin Safety Office

__________
Date

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