example risk assessment

Expedition Palau’s Risk Assessment – 1st Draft Started 21/12/2013

1 Expedition Leader Fiona Best

Expedition Palau’s Risk Assessment

Table 1: Risk Management Plan for Expedition to Palau

Activity / Hazard Category

Hazard / Risk Priority (see HAZPAK risk assessment tool in table 2)

Control Measure / Further Action Required HAZPAK Risk Level with Controls in Place

Tran

spo

rt Theft during

travelling 4 The team would be told by the expedition leader / health and safety manager to

look after their belongings and not to leave them unattended and be warned about pickpockets around busy areas or areas with particular risk of criminal activities.

6

Accident / maintenance needed on the plane

5 The expedition leader would book airlines that are up to code with the health and safety standards concerning air travel and if an accident were to occur then the proper authorities would be informed before or if necessary during the flight.

6

Accident on the road

4 Any cabs or transport is to be chosen by either the government and state officials, PICRC staff or the expedition leader and would be of a good condition including tyres, lights and brakes. Ever member of the team would ensure moderate speeds are maintained at all times. All passengers must sit down inside the back of the vehicle and not sit in the doorway or stand whilst the vehicle is moving. For extended travel beyond city limits, each vehicle should be contactable (carry a mobile phone), have the necessary equipment for changing wheels and carry a torch and sufficient water for the journey in case of breakdown.

5



Accident at sea resulting in the vessel sinking or capsizing

3 Any boats or transport is to be chosen by either the government and state officials, PICRC staff or the expedition leader where there condition would be up to standard with the transport regulations. The forecast wind and sea conditions prior to the boat sailing would be checked with the captain and any local authorities by the health and safety officer and if conditions are considered unsuitable, the team would not depart their campus. Members of the team will carry a radio, satellite phone and flares during the journey and ensure life jackets are on-board and report any travels with the local authorises that aid for the safety of the team i.e. the coast guards. If the boat is deemed overloaded prior to departure the captain, health and safety officer or expedition leader may deem it necessary to not allow the group to depart for safety reasons. A full briefing will be conducted by the accompanying captain prior to departure identifying the safety features and emergency protocols on the boats.

5

Passengers suffering from medical conditions i.e. sunburn, dehydration, heat-stroke, exhaustion or sea sickness

3 Any team member that suffers from any medical conditions is advised to bring relevant medication with them on the journey. Drinking water will be provided for all journeys. The health and safety officer will remind all volunteers to use sunscreen and wear hats if sitting outside and to drink regularly during the trip avoiding fatty foods. If a member does suffer from one of these conditions they are to contact other team members as soon as possible and seek land or return to the team’s accommodation. By keeping up to date with the weather conditions, the tide may be used to the users’ advantage when possible and the team is to radio for aid as soon as possible if necessary.

4

Slipping or falling on deck or falling overboard

3 Passengers to be fully briefed on the safe and any of the out-of-bounds areas of the boat. In heavy weather when the boat may roll the accompanying captain may ask volunteers to sit inside if possible or strap themselves in and maintain there positions.

5

Falling when boarding or alighting a boat

3 Team members are to board one person at a time whilst carrying no more than what they feel comfortable with. Either the team’s health and safety officer or expedition leader will position themselves at the entrance to the boat while expeditioners are boarding and disembarking from the vessel to provide any assistance if necessary.

5



We

ath

er Dangerous

weather that may affect the team’s health and research

1 Observing weather reports beforehand and reporting all intended positions and return times to the proper authorities i.e. coast guard and observing the current weather conditions before setting off anywhere. The health and safety officer and/ or team leader can brief the team before every expedition of the weeks and if possible the month’s environmental concerns to the team, paying attention to any hazardous lakes, rivers, streams or any no-go areas present or nearby that can the team may have to enter or leave if the weather forces the team towards that area. They would also report any safety measures / procedures there may be present in the areas the team travel to or are presently in. If any sign of present or upcoming danger can be observed to any or all members of the team, they are to inform the others of it and would remain indoors in their accommodation or immediately travel to the nearest safe location that can be found.

3



Acc

om

mo

dat

ion

(P

ICR

C) Fire present in

/ around the building

2 The health and safety officer and/ or team leader can brief the team and building authorities on any fire hazards or anything that doesn’t match up with national standards that are present around the building. The team can also conduct onsite visual inspections of all fire escapes, alarms, equipment, meeting points and procedures. All staff will understand prior to entering the accommodation, their roles and responsibilities in the event of the fire and will learn the meeting points when arriving at the campus. The health and safety officer and / or the expedition leader will ensure that there is no smoking anywhere in the building including dorms and help point out the safe areas to do so if asked. All safety systems if not regularly checked by the proper buildings staff will be checked again by the health and safety officer and/ or expedition leader on arrival. They will also request that the responsible staff members perform, or perform themselves continuous safety checks for the building if they are not already being done. Both staff members and all team members can aid in ensuring that there isn’t anything that prevents routes outside the building and fire brigade services from entering all the areas they need to efficiently put out the fires. The practise of fire alarm procedures and emergency drills can be performed shortly after arrival and at regular periods throughout the expedition. Members of staff in the building along with the health and safety manager or expedition leader can carry a master key for the dorms in case a member of the team is unconscious in their rooms. If one or more team members is a wheelchair users or those with impaired movement, sight or hearing, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure that all group members can evacuate safely in response to a fire alarm and both the health and safety manager, expedition leader and staff will regularly check drying room and ensure clothing is hung safely.

3 Hygiene Issues 3 The expedition leader or health and safety officer will check that all

accommodation has appropriate levels of hygiene and that if staff have food hygiene qualifications if any meals with be made by them. The health and safety officer will inspect and monitor washing facilities, lighting, heating, ventilation, catering etc to help regulate the standard of living and he/she will brief the team to wash hands regularly and before all mealtimes.

4



Attacks by others i.e. strangers

3 If an attack is from any team member, the perpetrator/s will be stricken from the expedition and possibly face charges. If the attack is from another member of staff it will be the responsibility of the building management and local authorises i.e. the police to deal with the situation and if the attack/s are from strangers, the local authorises i.e. the police will be notified and staff will remain alert, and challenge strangers found on site as to their reason for being there. This will also be done if the perpetrator/s are unknown as well as exclusive use of sleeping accommodation will be arranged for the team members (if possible) or at least all rooms will be adjacent and team’s accommodation will be separated by gender. Doors and windows will be checked and main entrance will be secured. Members of the expedition team will return to their rooms at a set time and be briefed on how to contact staff and the police.

4

Domestic hazards during stay that may cause injuries

3 The team’s health and safety manager will initially and regularly conduct visual inspection of balconies, stairways, glass doors, electrical fittings etc, together with specific hazards on the grounds or immediate surroundings. He/ she can also check window security fittings to ensure people cannot climb or fall out the building and would be informed by the building staff of any and all matters concerning health in the building i.e. broken equipment in the lab, construction work areas, schedules of maintenance, location of first aid boxes along with the location and method of transport to, the nearest hospital and doctors office.

The team will then be briefed shortly after arrival of the information of the matters concerning health and safety of the building and if there are any hazards, establish necessary rules to accommodate for them. All team members will also be instructed to report any faulty items/dangerous equipment found on the premises. The methods to transport people to the nearest hospital or doctor’s office will be regularly monitored and if there is anything that disrupts these methods, the building staff are to be informed to fix the issue and allow quick transportation to be available in case of emergencies.

5

The safety and/ or thief of personal and campus processions

5 The health and safety officer and/ or team leader can brief the team on any hazards, no-go areas and safety measures / procedures there may be on campus and visit the rooms to check all safety management systems are satisfactory. All staff will be informed of any emergency and first aid procedures and how to contact the authorities if required.

6



Terr

estr

ial S

urv

eyi

ng Medical

problems for team members, the guide or volunteers

2 The closest hospital or doctor’s office will be known before the journey begins and first aid equipment will be carried by the health and safety officer at all times. Team members will have experience in first aid and know of any health risks around the environment both on land and in the water along with the medical status of each team member.

4

Need for emergency evacuation

3 A stretcher will be carried onto the island and knowledge of the closest hospital or doctor’s office will be known before the journey begins along with the location of the nearest boat awaiting the team. The team will be in contact with each other and know to evacuate the premises as soon as possible and the local authorises i.e. the hospital, will be contacted immediately.

4

Lack of hygiene that increases the risk of disease

3 The food rations are kept clean and that food categories (e.g. meats, vegetables etc) are prepared separately. Any cuts or scrapes are properly managed by another team member that is qualified in first aid and coughing or sneezing will be into a tissue or hackney and if caused by the environment, the teams may need to return to their accommodation.

4

Team member or volunteer becoming lost in the tropical forest

3 No volunteer or team member will leave on an expedition without a guide, radio, gps, signal flare, sufficient water and first aid kit. All team members leaving the campus must give details of where they are intending to go and estimated time of return with the local authorises i.e. coast guard and PICRC staff so if the team does not return on time, the PICRC staff will call the coast guard if the team does make contact with the group by radio and if needs be, organise a search and rescue team.

5

Volunteers poorly equipped or with a lack of fitness to cope adequately with the tropical forest conditions

4 The expedition leader, volunteer co-ordinater and health and safety officer is to fully brief volunteers prior to the start of the expeditions to the protocols and procedures the team follows and check they have the appropriate equipment with them. The volunteer co-ordinater is to watch the new volunteers carefully for signs of exhaustion and to adjust the distances covered according to the fitness levels and keep track of their locations.

5



Heavy rain or fires that causes river to rise, landslides or tree fall with consequent threat to volunteers and team members

3 The team will contact each other and attempt an emergency exit of the island via the boat whose captain is to maintain his/her position unless the team finds it necessary to move to another location where the boat can find them. The team will be in contact with each other and know to evacuate the premises as soon as possible and the coast guard will be contacted immediately. The boat will transport the team members and volunteers either back to the campus or road where a vehicle will be awaiting to pick them or toward the nearest hospital if needs be. If the team loses the ability to use the boat they are to contact the coast guard and police and wait for rescue.

4 Falling down

steep slopes or tripping on slippery surfaces

4 All team members and volunteers will be required to wear suitable footwear and contact one another immediately if they are to be injured. If necessary they will be carried by other team members or volunteers on a stretcher and the team and volunteers will return to the boat and travel to the nearest hospital. The team will ensure volunteers are shown how to walk with stick as an aid when descending and ascending slopes. The closest first aid trained team member or volunteer with a mobile first aid kit will look at the wound.

5

Dehydration 4 The health and safety officer will ensure that all staff and volunteers are informed that this is a significant risk and that they drink 3 litres of water per day. Ensuring that all trek members carry sufficient water supplies for the duration of the trek. Ensuring that the expedition team leader stops every 30 minutes for the group to rest and the health and safety officer and volunteer co-ordinater checks with everyone for signs of dehydration or exhaustion.

6

Bites and stings

3 Ensure all footwear is empty of dangerous animals before wearing. The health and safety officer will brief all team members and volunteers on the dangers of the environment and not to taste or grab hold of any plants or hold any animals whilst travelling. The guide and/ or first aid trained team members are to be trained in the dangerous animal bite procedures and ensure that all traps and nets are emptied by team members safely.

4

Drowning or being swept away by rivers or streams

4 The guide is to lead any river crossings and to judge whether it is safe for the group to cross either separately or in the case of higher flows using ropes.

5



Mar

ine

Su

rve

yin

g Medical problems for team members, the guide or volunteers

2 Diving immediately seizes and the team travels to the closest hospital or doctor’s office if need be and be treated with the first aid equipment will be carried by the health and safety officer at all times. Team members will have experience in first aid and know of any health risks in the water along with the medical status of each team member.

4

Need for emergency evacuation

3 The team will be in contact with each other and know to evacuate the ocean as soon as possible and the local authorises i.e. the hospital, will be contacted immediately.

4

Tanks falling off dive benches

4 The expedition leader or health and safety officer will ensure all team members and volunteers are instructed to lay tanks down onto dive benches at all times when they are not holding the tank.

5

Pressure gauge relief value bursting

4 The expedition leader or health and safety officer will ensure that all team members and volunteers make sure that they turn on cylinder valves slowly and face the gauge away from them.

5

Dropping weight belts on feet

4 All team members and volunteers will be instructed to be careful when carrying weight belts and to lay them down on dive benches whilst kitting up. The health and safety officer is to ensure all team members and volunteers make sure that weight belt clips are secure.

5

Falling over whilst getting into & out of dive boat with equipment

4 Make sure that all volunteers and untrained team members hand equipment to the trained boat handlers with care and make sure it is secure in the boat. The captain, expedition leader and health and safety officer is to make sure team members and volunteers take care when getting into and out of dive boats in the boat bay to avoid falling or slipping.

5

Falling out of dive boat whilst going to dive sites

4 The captain, guide and health and safety officer is to ensure all team members and volunteers are instructed not to wear weight belts on dive boats, stay seated at all times and are instructed to sit evenly on each side of the boat.

5



Slipping over on dive boat

4 The captain and health and safety officer is to ensure all team members and volunteers are instructed to move around the boat carefully and holding onto the side when necessary whilst kitting up for the dive. No one should move around the boat whilst it is in motion.

5

Bites and stings

2 The health and safety officer will brief all team members and volunteers on the dangers of the water and not to grab hold of any plants or animals whilst diving. The guide and/ or first aid trained team members are to be trained in the dangerous animal bite and sting procedures and teach every member of the expedition on how to contact the hospital.

3

Drowning or being swept away by the current or to greater depths by down currents

3 The guide, expedition leader and map reader is to understand the safe zones to dive, taking the current into account.

4

Hitting head when backwards roll into water at the dive sites or tipping over boat on entry

4 The health and safety officer is to ensure all team members and volunteers are told to check behind them and let the captain know that they are going into the water. Ensure the divers enter the water in an agreed order so that the boat is not unbalanced. Ensure divers are aware of the possibility of the boat hitting their head when hanging onto the mooring rope.

6



Decompression sickness

2 The health and safety officer and volunteer co-ordinater is to ensure that all diving procedures are followed completely. Limit dives to 2 per day, minimum 3 hour surface interval, maximum depth 18m for survey dives, and maximum depth of 30m for pleasure dives – advanced divers or equivalent only. Maximum dive time of 50 minutes with a 5 minute stop at 5m before surfacing. The expedition leader and health and safety officer is to check that the dive procedures are audited every month throughout the season and ensure that all boats carry oxygen supplies and that there is sufficient oxygen supplies on the boat to continue treating the patient throughout the period of the evacuation. They are to call ahead to the hospital and ensure that there is a qualified nurse on the nearest island along with qualified staff who can administer oxygen. The expedition leader and the team is to maintain and help in any way the evacuation plan for getting the patient to recompression facilities and aid all relevant staff are aware of the procedures.

3

Being hit by boat on surfacing

4 The team and volunteers are to surface slowly with arm raised and slowly turning to check for risks.

6

Being left in water at the end of a dive

4 The team and volunteers are to ensure all team members and volunteers are present at the end of a dive. The expedition leader is to ensure that the dive safety procedures are audited every month throughout the season and ensure that all divers have a SMB with them for inflation at the end of the dive.

6

Barotraumas 3 All team members and volunteers are briefed on the risk of barotraumas when diving and the safe equalisation procedure, which includes aborting the dive if equalisation is not possible and all team members and volunteers to be informed that they should not dive with an upper respiratory tract infection. All team members and volunteers are to be informed of the dangers of using decongestants when diving and the expedition leader and health and safety officer is to ensure all volunteers and team members are informed of the serious danger of breath holding whilst scuba diving.

4



Factors increasing risk of accident due to alcohol, inexperience divers or medically unfit divers

3 The team and volunteers will not be drinking alcohol when diving or prior to diving. The expedition leader, volunteer co-ordinater or health and safety officer may tell volunteers not to dive if excessive amounts of alcohol have been consumed the night before or the volunteers are not physically fit enough to dive safely. All dive procedures to be followed precisely and all accidents and near misses to be reported immediately to the health and safety officer who would compile the statistics every two weeks and hold a staff meeting to discuss ways of avoiding further instances of accidents which do occur.

4 Sm

all B

oat

Usa

ge i.

e.

Kay

akin

g Dangerous Weather Conditions

1 Observing weather reports, reporting intended position and return time to coast guard authorities and observing the current weather conditions before setting off.

4

Drowning following capsize

2 Having members onboard trained to use kayaks to perform Eskimo rolls, otherwise the team members would commit to a wet exit then rolling the kayak over and emptying the water afterwards.

3

Lost and possibly suffering from hypothermia following capsize or whilst ashore

3 High vis clothing that’s designed to delay the onset of hypothermia to aid in a self rescue can be worn in case team members are not around along with a radio and flares that would be provided along with reflective tape on the kayak. Extra clothing and hot food and drinks can be available in the kayak to provide for a minimum of 2 days.

4

Severe injury to upper limbs or torso making paddling impossible

3 Good knowledge of the environment and an aversion of rough terrain. A drogue can be used to reduce the chances of losing control of the kayak. Flares and radios can be used to contact other team members if the injured or other team members have been moved far away.

4

Damage to the kayak

4 A repair kit can be included in the kayak and waterproof bags can be used to store equipment and a white collision warning flare can be used to signal a damaged vessel to team members (if absent), coastguards or port authorises if they are in the area. A strobe light, air horn and radio can be used. Locating specific landing sites in advance, getting advice from local people with knowledge of the area and

6



taking into account the changes in the wind and tides can aid the team members if the damage is caused after arriving on land.

Personal injury / infection when carrying kayak on land

5 The landing site can be carefully chosen to reduce the risk of a harsh surface when exiting the water along with reducing the carrying distance. A trolley or driftwood used as skids can be used to make it easier to transport and a first aid kit including anti-fungal and anti-septic, radio and flares can be included if team members have been separated from one another.

6

Getting lost 5 Detailing any journeys with the proper authorities i.e. the coastguards and keeping track of the weather conditions and with other team members can be done. Laminated charts and maps of the area can be included in the kayak along with a deck compass. GPS, radio and flares can be included in the kayak along with a strobe light, equipment for making shelter and stored food and drink can be included. Arriving on a nearby stretch of land and remaining in the same safe spot on the coastline would aid in the rescue efforts.

6

Exhaustion 6 Taking steady breathes, having immediate access to food and clean water until reaching medical attention. Keep up to date with the weather condition, using any tide to the users’ advantage when possible and radio for aid as soon as possible.

6

Heatstroke 6 A wide brimmed hat and UV protection on any exposed skin can be used and shade can be used whenever possible. Team members would keep well hydrated possibly with isotonic drink or clean water. Using a radio to inform other team members as soon as possible can help prevent further medical issues.

6

Sea sickness 6 Keeping hydrated and avoiding fatty foods, contacting other team members as soon as possible and seeking land or going back to the teams accommodation would be required for members suffering from sea sickness.

6



Table 2: HAZPAK Risk Assessment Tool where 1 Signifies Top Priority (to do something immediately) and 6 Signifies a Low

Priority (to do something when possible) A: Severity (how severely could it hurt someone or how ill it can make someone)

B: Likeliness (how likely is it to be that bad)

Very Likely Likely Unlikely Very Unlikely

Cause Permanent Disability or Death

1 1 2 3

Cause Long Term Illness or Serious Injury

1 2 3 4

Medical Attention and Several Days off Work

2 3 4 5

First Aid Required

3 4 5 6



Things to look out for, note and do before and after completing the 1st draft of the risk assessment

Research proposed journey area for local risks and resources, such as habitat and weather/seasonal considerations, locally endemic diseases, recent disease outbreaks, profiles of dangerous animals, risks of violence, transport infrastructure and access to healthcare facilities.

Assess risks from the group’s planned activities – from the obvious such as kayaking through to the more mundane such as campus accommodation hygiene.

Review individual medical histories of proposed team members and follow up with their GP(s) if necessary. Are we going to do any canopy work, as we would need an access course to do it. E.g. http://canopyaccess.co.uk All diving expeditions must have a separate diving risk assessment with dive plans, certificates and summary of each member’s diving experiences. Discuss with the group leader or a medical officer any issues arising, such as practicalities of emergency communications and casualty evacuation plans. Prepare a preliminary report of all the anticipated risks to health and safety for the group, with suggestions for how to minimise these, including safety

protocols, vaccinations, items for personal and group medical kits. Attend a meeting with all the team members to outline and discuss the above recommendations and address any concerns.

http://canopyaccess.co.uk/

example risk assessment

Documents

expedition leader health

safety officer

safety features

safety standards

safety manager

safety reasons

team member

hazpak risk assessment