FIELDWORK RISK ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Section 1: General Information about your fieldwork trip

SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT:

Geography, on behalf of the International Conference of Historical Geographers

COLLEGE: CLES

DATE OF ASSESSMENT:

15/06/2015 CAMPUS STREATHAM

SIGNATUREOF ASSESSOR:

SIGNATURE OF SUPERVISOR:

PRINT NAMEOF ASSESSOR

NICOLA THOMAS PRINT NAME OF SUPERVISOR

GEORGINA ENDFIELD, SIMON NAYLOR

DESCRIPTION OF YOUR FIELDWORK TRIP:Please describe in detail when and where you are going and what activities you plan to do whilst you are there?

International Conference of Historical Geographers – Fieldtrip 17 – ‘Historical Geographies of weather watching in London’.

This trip is intended as an introduction to historical weather observation in London dating back to the 18th century. We will begin in the RGS-IBG's own collections, considering a range of materials and artefacts housed there, including correspondence between people who played a key role in both the RGS and meteorological organisations. From here we will head to the Royal Society where we will be given a tour of the premises and an introductory talk about archives. We will be able to look at a variety of 18th and 19th century meteorological registers, drawings of instruments, and materials pertaining to key figures interested in meteorology and weather watching. These include Luke Howard, Robert Hooke and Admiral Fitzroy. Our attention will then turn to hearing more about a number of such key figures in the field of weather and meteorological observation, with a walking/ tube tour of their homes, some of which doubled as early weather stations. These include Admiral Robert Fitzroy's home (38 Onslow Square, Kensington) and Francis Galton's house in 42 Rutland Gate, Westminster. We will then make our way by tube to Camden, and specifically to 62 Camden Square, the home of George J. Symons, founder of the British Rainfall Organisation, meteorological reporter to the registrar-general and twice president of the Royal Meteorological Society. This site also doubled as the home of the BRO itself and the place of Symon's own weather station in the back garden of this house. We intend to present short talks at each venue and while we will be visiting sites associated with a mostly professional meteorological scientific endeavour, our discussion during these visits will include references to the work or London based amateur meteorologists, a subject which we pick up with respect to Symons work with the BRO in particular. We will end the day by visiting the venue where the London Meteorological Society met- the London Coffee House in Ludgate Hill (now a public house). The Society represents the first official network of meteorological observers, dating back to 1823. Members of this society went on to found the Meteorological Society, latterly the Royal Meteorological Society.

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ESTIMATED No OF STAFF AT RISK:

2 ESTIMATED No OF PARTICIPANTS AT RISK:

15

Section 2: Location of your fieldwork trip

Exact Location of your field work trip Central London (Royal Geographical Society, Royal Society, Westminster, Camden, Ludgate Hill)

Local / regional Area LondonUK based YESEurope NOTransatlantic NOCurrent Home Office Security Level in the area(s) you will be visiting N/A

Section 3: the Hazards involved in the work you are planning

Highlight the relevant hazards in the list below

Climate: Based in UK urban areas with potential exposure to sun, wind and rain. Temperatures could fall between 13 and 28 degrees depending on weather conditions.

Terrain/Location: Fieldtrip will be in urban location with sustained traffic on nearby streets. There may be uneven pavements and steps.

Participants will visit public buildings.

Biological: NONEChemical: NONEMechanical: NONEElectrical: NONE

Human Activity: Participants will be in together in a group. This can mean that individuals cease paying attention to their own safety. Recreation: NONEWork Procedures: Participants will be travelling as a group. We will be in an urban location so a possible hazard could be assault or theft. People may have less awareness of their position and step into the road or slip off pavements. There is a risk of injury in relation to trips and falls and accidents involving cars.

Work Abroad: n/a Other Stressors:

General: Pre-existing conditions, Food intolerance/allergy

Behaviour: Participants are adults from different countries. There may be unanticipated differences or misunderstandings. Legal problems: NASecurity: NA

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Section 4 – Your assessment of the risks (Risk Assessment)

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Hazard number

What is the hazard (e.g. low temperature, falling rocks)

(C) Consequenc

e (1-5)

X (L)Likelihood

(1-5)

= (RS) Risk

Score (1-25)

Action to be taken to control the risk (please list all actions you will be taking)

Residual Risk (the remaining risk once your controls are put in place)

C X L = RS

1.Climate: sun rain, wind - exposure

3 X 2 = 5 Participants asked to carry water and weather protection clothing (including sunscreen, hats and wet weather gear).Field leaders to carry sunscreenField leaders to remind participants to carry water and apply sun cream at the start of the trip if they are outside for significant time.

1 x 1 = 1

2.Terrain/Location: Fieldtrip will be in urban location with sustained traffic on nearby streets. There maybe uneven pavements and steps.

Participants will visit public buildings.

5 X 1 = 5 Participants warned about the risk; participants reminded to use pavements and pedestrian crossing points.

Field leader to identify emergency exit codes in any buildings visited and to alter participants to these.

1 X 1 = 1

3.Human activity: Participants will be in together in a group. This can mean that individuals cease paying attention to their own safety.Specific aspects requiring attention include disembarking from transport and

5 X 1 = 5 Participants alerted to risk.Field leaders to alert participants of potential risks and direct them clearly to safe routes.

1 X 1 = 1

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crossing roads.4.

Work Procedures: lack of awareness, slipping in an unfamiliar urban environment. Lacking attention to traffic.

5 X 1 = 5 Participants warned about the risk; participants reminded to use pavements and pedestrian crossing points;

1 X 1 = 1

5. General: Pre-existing conditions, Food intolerance/allergy, Foot problems, Lack of fitness, exhaustion.

1 X 1 = 1 Participants asked to disclose pre-existing medical /dietary conditions which may cause risk . Participants have been asked to indicate dietary requirements so allergic reactions are unlikely to be a problem.Field leaders will be reminded to call emergency services should any need arise,

1 X 1 = 1

6. Behaviour: Participants are adults from different countries. There may be unanticipated differences or misunderstandings.

1 X 1 = 1 This is unlikely to cause difficulties as participants share a common bond. Field leader to be aware of group dynamics and to diffuse any tensions.

1 X 1 = 1

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