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Lorn Natural History Group
GENERIC
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR FIELD TRIPS & TRAINING DAYS (excluding boat-based)
To be
considered by organisers in advance of outdoor activities
Scales: High Medium Low
Hazard
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Chance of
hazard
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Potential severity of risk
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Mitigation by LNHG
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Poor weather (wind, rain, snow, fog)
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High
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Potentially high, e.g. hypothermia,
loss of direction
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Listen to weather forecast
Mountain trips:
Cancel of trip if forecast indicates high risk
Map, compass, GPS, mobile phone
Adequate protective clothing
Lone working in mountains only:
Take emergency shelter & rations
Consider satellite phone
Take torch and whistle for emergencies
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Steep ground, cliffs
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High
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Potentially
high
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Do not
tackle dangerously steep ground
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Getting lost (in fog
or forests)
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Low
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Potentially
high
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When risk of getting lost, ensure anyone unfamiliar
with the area is not left alone
Mountain trips:
Keep in sight with one another
Plan route in advance with bearings, GPS points
Take map, compass, GPS
Take mobile phone, but do not rely on it; consider
satellite phone in remote areas if lone working
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Snow on the ground (avalanches,
slips)
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Medium
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Potentially
high
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Mountain trips only:
Abort
fieldwork if risk appears high
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Rivers, burns
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High
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Medium
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Do not cross if there is no safe crossing place or in
spate
Abort route if need be
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Damage to eyes from dense spruce
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Medium
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Medium
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Change
route or wear eye protection
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Lyme disease
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Low
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High
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Warn
participants; tuck trousers into socks; regularly check tick bite locations
for a month afterwards; seek medical advice if symptoms appear
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Land
management operations (e.g. harvesting,
stalking)
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Medium
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Low
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Liaise
with contracting party in advance if such activities likely; avoid relevant
area if need be
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Travel to/from site
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Low
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Potentially
high
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Take care when driving, particularly on tracks
Be alert for timber lorries
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Unable to communicate by phone in emergency
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Low
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High
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Owing
to unreliable reception, do not rely on mobile phone in emergency [see
emergency procedure in H&S policy]
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LORN NATURAL HISTORY GROUP
HEALTH
& SAFETY POLICY
The field trips organised by Lorn
Natural History Group have the purpose of observing and recording wildlife. The
routes chosen by the organiser will avoid hazardous ground and situations, and
be suitable for any reasonably fit person to undertake. Participants attend at
their risk.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS
1)
Participants take part at their own risk and are
responsible for their own safety
2)
They are responsible for ensuring that their outdoor
clothing and footwear is suitable to the conditions
3)
Participants have a duty to inform the organiser before
setting out of any relevant health or medical issues
4)
They will inform the organiser if they find a
particular route unsuited to their ability
5)
In locations unfamiliar to them where there is a risk
of getting lost, they will keep in sight of other members of the party
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LORN NATURAL HISTORY GROUP
General
1)
To
at all times have Public Liability Insurance for its events and activities
Before setting out
1)
Plan non-hazardous route and study the risk assessment
using the standard form
2)
Ensure a First Aid kit is taken & identify any
First Aiders if present
3)
Ask participants if they have any medical or health
issues which might be relevant (e.g.
epilepsy)
4)
Identify who has working mobile phones, GPS and maps
5)
Ask that anyone returning early informs the organiser
6)
Warn participants of Lyme disease, and suggest people
tuck their trousers into their socks
7)
To remind participants that they attend at their own
risk
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE IN EVENT OF ACCIDENT
1)
If injured party cannot be moved, phone 999 for help
2)
If out of mobile range, send for help, leaving at least
one person with the injured
3)
Post accident: Inform
LNHG members at next committee meeting of incident, identify future mitigation
and review H&S policy
Author: James Fenton
20 February 2018

This project is supported by Scottish Natural Heritage
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