| Potential Hazard |
Risk Posed |
How Managed? |
| Weather conditions |
Heavy rainfall can cause flash flooding
Strong sun can lead to sunburn/heatstroke
|
Check the weather forecast prior to entering the river
Apply sunscreen
Wear a hat
|
| Slippery rocks |
Risk of slipping on rocks causing injury |
Sturdy, appropriate footwear with good grips on the sole
|
| Waterborne diseases |
Weil's disease can be contracted through contaminated freshwater |
Ensure that hands are washed after being in the water and any open wounds are covered
Anti-bacterial hand wash to be used after contact with water
|
| Working in an unfamiliar place |
Becoming lost |
Students should work in groups and carry maps/mobile phones. Students could also wear high-visibility jackets |
| Misuse of equipment |
Ranging poles and other equipment may cause injury if not used correctly |
Ensure that students know how to handle equipment correctly |
| Traffic |
Risks associated with crossing the road and walking on pavements |
Students should wear high-visibility jackets and reminded of safe procedures for crossing the road |
| Contact with strangers |
Questionnaire completion may involve contact with strangers, risk of offending or annoying people |
Plan questions carefully, if someone takes offence or becomes annoyed withdraw from the situation, work in groups |
| Cliffs |
Risk of rock falls or cliff collapse |
Wear a safety helmet when working below a cliff face, do not climb the cliff, do not work at cliff faces in very wet/windy weather |
| Tides |
Becoming trapped by the incoming tide |
Check tide tables to ensure that students are not working whilst the tide is coming in |
| Livestock |
Being attacked by aggressive animals |
Do not approach animals, and avoid fields with livestock if possible |
