© University of Liverpool 2019
FIELDWORKSAFETY

Hazards and risks

The Google Map on the right shows the satellite view of a stretch of the coast near Abereiddy Bay in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. Click on this Google Map to: • study the information shown on this map, • look at the photographs for Abereiddy Beach, Blue Lagoon and Traeth Llyfn (the beach in the first large bay north of the Blue Lagoon), • identify the hazards you would most likely encounter if you were visiting these places on this stretch of the coastline, • decide the precautions you would take to reduce the risks at Abereiddy, Blue Lagoon and Traeth Llyfn.

Fieldwork safety - test yourself

These quiz questions will test your understanding of Fieldwork Safety and your awareness of safety issues and the sorts of hazards that

you are likely to meet when working in the field.

For each item select the best possible option out of the choices listed.

Question 1

This shows a view of a disused mine in Cornwall.

The main hazard here is the:

extensive piles of rock waste produced as a result of mining
abandoned mine buildings adits into underground workings steep mine slopes
Question 2 In upland areas the risk of getting lost can be minimised by:
following the friend walking in front of you knowing the estimated time of return to your base carrying a compass and good quality maps referring to the weather forecast frequently
Question 3 This shows part of Bardon Hill Quarry in Leicestershire. Which of the following items is not a hazard shown in this part of the quarry?
unstable quarry faces moving plant quarry waste tips crushers
Question 4 In an upland area, such as the area shown here, good quality field clothing is essential and outer clothing must be:
wind and waterproof
Question 5 An essential item in a fieldwork first aid kit is:
a map a whistle a survival bag
Question 6 Tidal flats similar to those shown in this image hold risks because:
the tide may come in quickly the tide fills channels with quicksand waves may wash you off the wavecut platform rock falls are common here
Question 7 Which of the following statements is in the Countryside Code?
Always climb over walls, hedges and fences. Leave gates as you find them. Always follow paths. Leave no trace of your visit and bury your litter.
Question 8 Always wear ear defenders when you are close to noisy plant in working quarries because there is risk of:
injury from flying rock fragments permanent loss of hearing dust causing temporary deafness entrapment and suffocation
Question 9 A mobile phone may be useful when you are doing fieldwork, but remember that:
mobile phones can never be used in quarries reception can be poor in the hills reception is best below coastal cliffs mobiles don’t work when you’re standing in a stream
Question 10 Blasting occurs in most hard rock quarries like Bardon Hill Quarry (shown in this image). When blasting takes place there is risk of major physical injury resulting from:
crushers flying dust shock waves moving plant
Question 11 This is a view looking towards Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia. If you areundertaking fieldwork in this area it is always essential to wear:
safety boots with metal toe protection thermal underwear good quality, waterproof footwear waterproof overtrousers
Question 12 There is special risk in military training areas in coastal areas of:
unstable cliffs unexploded mines steep rock slabs quicksand
Question 13 When you are working in upland areas it is essential that you:
have a mobile phone with you are extremely fit and able to run up steep hills know how to use a compass in order to find your position on a map wear loose outer clothing
Question 14 The International Distress Signal is:
6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes), wait 1 minute and then repeat 6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes), wait 6 minutes and then repeat 6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes) 6 blasts on a whistle follwed by 6 torch flashes
Question 15 This photograph shows a coastal area near Amroth, Pembrokeshire. The main hazard here is the:
unstable sand-clay cliff colony of birds nesting on the cliff extensive mud flats below the cliff unstable rock cliff
Question 16 Insect bites can be a problem when working in the field, particularly in northern latitudes and in upland or marshy areas. The best precaution to take to prevent or reduce the risk of harm is to:
always wear a mosquito net to cover your face cover your face with an anti-inflammatory cream always wear loose, waterproof overtrousers keep your arms covered, wear trousers made from fine woven material and gaiters
Question 18 Quicksand is a hazard in some coastal areas. If you get stuck in quicksand the first thing that you should do is:
Question 17 When you are doing fieldwork in coastal areas and are likely to be working on wavecut platform like the one illustrated here you should always plan to work:
when the wind is blowing onshore on a rising tide on a falling tide when the tide is at its highest stand very still lie down flat on the sand to spread your weight over a larger surface area roll on the surface of the sand wait for help to arrive
Question 19 Wherever possible you should avoid crossing a river, especially if you are alone. If it is essential to ford or cross a river you should loosen the shoulder straps and undo the waist strap of your rucksack because:
it is easier to carry this way it will allow you to escape from the rucksack if you fall in the river you are less likely to overbalance if the rucksack is loose you can use the rucksack as a buoyancy aid
Question 20 If you are working in a quarry like the quarry shown in this image you must:
wear waterproof overtrousers wear ordinary wellington boots wear a safety helmet 1. Tides are a hazard with risk of becoming stranded or cut off by the tide resulting in exposure, physical injury or drowning. 2. Rocks covered in seaweed have risk of slips and falls resulting in sprain and/or fracture injuries.
Next Steps The task of identifying hazards does not cover all eventualities. When you are in the filed you are urged to beware of your surroundings at all times, to take care and to use common sense. Remember: • If you are working alone or in a small group on the coast that you must leave at your base a note of your field location and expected time of return. • You must enquire about local conditions. • You need to check the local weather forecast and local tide tables. • In rough weather conditions tides may be higher than published in tide tables. • Recognise there are risks associated with a range of hazards encountered when undertaking fieldwork in coastal areas and take appropriate measures to reduce these risks. • You must never take unnecessary risks. • You must ensure you have appropriate clothing, footwear, equipment and food with you in the field.

Hazards and precautions to reduce risk

Eight of the hazards in Abereiddy Bay are shown in the boxes below.

Click on each hazard and check that you identified the precaution you would take to reduce risk.

5. Unstable cliff faces are a hazard because of risk of rock falls resulting in head injuries. 6. Moving plant is a hazard. Collision with vehicles may result in fracture &/or crush injuries or death. 7. Sea wall in need of repair may collapse resulting in fractures, head and spinal injuries or death. 8. Quicksand may be a hazard with risk of entrapment resulting in hypothermia or drowning. 3. Grass slopes above rock slabs have risk of uncontrolled sliding & falling to the slabs, resulting in sprains, fractures or death. 4. Nesting birds and animals on cliff ledges with risk of stone fall dislodged from ledges resulting in head injuries. tight-fitting dark in colour made of cotton a crepe bandage carry a survival bag
© University of Liverpool 2019
FIELDWORKSAFETY

Hazards

The Google Map on below shows the satellite view of a stretch of the coast near Abereiddy Bay in Pembrokeshire, South Wales. Click on this Google Map to: • study the information shown on this map, • look at the photographs for Abereiddy Beach, Blue Lagoon and Traeth Llyfn (the beach in the first large bay north of the Blue Lagoon), • identify the hazards you would most likely encounter if you were visiting these places on this stretch of the coastline, • decide the precautions you would take to reduce the risks at Abereiddy, Blue Lagoon and Traeth Llyfn.

Hazards and precautions to reduce risk

Eight of the hazards in Abereiddy Bay are shown in the boxes below.

Click on each hazard and check that you identified the precaution you

would take to reduce risk.

1. Tides are a hazard with risk of becoming stranded or cut off by the tide resulting in exposure, physical injury or drowning. 2. Rocks covered in seaweed have risk of slips and falls resulting in sprain and/or fracture injuries. 3. Grass slopes above rock slabs have risk of uncontrolled sliding & falling to the slabs, resulting in sprains, fractures or death. 4. Nesting birds and animals on cliff ledges with risk of stone fall dislodged from ledges resulting in head injuries. 5. Unstable cliff faces are a hazard because of risk of rock falls resulting in head injuries. 6. Moving plant is a hazard. Collision with vehicles may result in fracture &/or crush injuries or death. 7. Sea wall in need of repair may collapse resulting in fractures, head and spinal injuries or death. 8. Quicksand may be a hazard with risk of entrapment resulting in hypothermia or drowning.
Next Steps The task of identifying hazards does not cover all eventualities. When you are in the filed you are urged to beware of your surroundings at all times, to take care and to use common sense. Remember: • If you are working alone or in a small group on the coast that you must leave at your base a note of your field location and expected time of return. • You must enquire about local conditions. • You need to check the local weather forecast and local tide tables. • In rough weather conditions tides may be higher than published in tide tables. • Recognise there are risks associated with a range of hazards encountered when undertaking fieldwork in coastal areas and take appropriate measures to reduce these risks. • You must never take unnecessary risks. • You must ensure you have appropriate clothing, footwear, equipment and food with you in the field.

Fieldwork safety - test yourself

These quiz questions will test your understanding of Fieldwork Safety and your awareness of

safety issues and the sorts of hazards that you are likely to meet when working in the field.

For each item select the best possible option out of the choices listed.

This shows a view of a disused mine in Cornwall. The main hazard here is the:
extensive piles of rock waste produced as a result of mining abandoned mine buildings adits into underground workings steep mine pit slopes
Question 1
Question 2
In upland areas the risk of getting lost can be minimised by:
following the friend walking in front of you knowing the estimated time of return to your base carrying a compass and good quality map refering to the weather forecast frequently
Question 3
This shows part of Bardon Hill Quarry in Leicestershire. Which of the following items is not a hazard shown in this part of the quarry?
unstable quarry faces moving plant quarry waste tips crushers
Question 4
In an upland area, such as the area shown here, good quality field clothing is essential and outer clothing must be:
wind and waterproof tight-fitting dark in colour made of cotton
Question 5 An essential item in a fieldwork first aid kit is:
a map a crepe bandage a whistle a survival bag
Question 6
Tidal flats similar to those shown in this image hold risks because:
the tide may come in quickly the tide fills channels with quicksand waves may wash you off the wavecut platform rock falls are common here
Question 7
Which of the following statements is in the Countryside Code? Always climb over walls, hedges and fences Leave gates as you find them Always follow paths Leave no trace of your visit and bury your litter
Question 8 Always wear ear defenders when you are close to noisy plant in working quarries because there is risk of:
injury from flying rock fragments permanent loss of hearing dust causing temporary deafness entrapment and suffocation
Question 9
A mobile phone may be useful when you are doing fieldwork, but remember that:
mobile phones can never be used in quarries reception can be poor in the hills reception is best below coastal cliffs mobiles don’t work when you are standing in a stream
Question 10
Blasting occurs in most hard rock quarries like Bardon Hill Quarry (shown in this image). When blasting takes place there is risk of major physical injury resulting from:
crushers flying dust shock waves moving plant
Question 11
This is a view looking towards Llyn Ogwen in Snowdonia. If you are undertaking fieldwork in this area it is always essential to wear:
safety boots with metal toe protectors thermal underwear good quality, waterproof footwear waterproof overtrousers
Question 12 There is special risk in military training areas in coastal areas of:
unstable cliffs unexploded mines steep rock slabs quicksand
Question 13
When you are working in upland areas it is essential that you:
Have a mobile phone with you Are extremely fit and able to run up steep hills Know how to use a compass to find your position on a map Wear loose outer clothing
Question 14
The International Distress Signal is:
6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes), wait 1 minute then repeat 6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes), wait 6 minutes then repeat 6 blasts on a whistle (or 6 torch flashes) 6 blasts on a whistle followed by 6 torch flashes
Question 15
This photograph shows a coastal area near Amroth, Pembrokeshire. The main hazard here is the:
unstable sand-clay cliff colony of birds nesting on the cliff extensive mudflats below the cliff unstable rock cliff
Question 16
Insect bites can be a problem when working in the field, particularly in northern latitudes and in upland or marshy areas. The best precaution to take to prevent or reduce the risk of harm is to:
always wear a mosquito net to cover your face cover your face with anti-inflammatory cream wear loose waterproof overtrousers keep your arms covered, wear trousers from fine woven material and gaiters
Question 17 When you are doing fieldwork in coastal areas and are likely to be working on a wavecut platform like the one illustrated here you should always plan to work:
when the wind is blowing on shore on a rising tide on a falling tide when the tide is at its highest
Question 18 Quicksand is a hazard in some coastal areas. If you get stuck in quicksand the first thing that you should do is:
roll on the surface of the sand lie down flat on the sand to spread your weight over a larger surface area wait for help to arrive stand very still
Question 19
Wherever possible you should avoid crossing a river, especially if you are alone. If it is essential to ford or cross a river you should loosen the shoulder straps and undo the waist strap of your rucksack because:
it is easier to carry this way it will allow you to escape from the rucksack if you fall in the water you are less likely to overbalance if the rucksack is loose you can use the rucksack as a buoyancy aid
Question 20 If you are working in a quarry like the quarry shown in this image you must:
wear ordinary wellington boots wear waterproof overtrousers carry a survival bag wear a safety helmet