Risk assessment procedures for fieldwork

Tutors who undertake field classes on Centre for Open Studies courses are required to comply with the following procedures:

• In the first instance discuss your fieldwork with the appropriate subject specialist or course coordinator.
• Complete a risk assessment form. This form gives guidelines as to staff-student ratios and hazards involved under different circumstances. The form can be downloaded as a pdf file that can be printed out from your own computer or can be obtained as a hard copy from Claire Wylie, the Academic Administrator of the centre. A copy of this form should be returned to the subject specialist before the field class starts.
• In order to be sure of minimal University Insurance cover, the Finance Office should receive a list of the names and addresses of field course participants. The tutor should either contact Claire Wylie just before leaving for the field course and she will advise the Finance Office, or send the list to the Finance Office yourself (to susan.cruikshank@glasgow.ac.uk).
• Please be aware that students on the field trip may have particular needs or disabilities which should be accommodated whenever possible. The risk assessment form asks tutors to consider this possibility and what steps they would take to overcome any potential difficulty. Irene Vezza is the contact person for any matters relating to student disability.
• Any accidents or problems encountered during fieldwork must be reported to us immediately.
• Tutors should also ensure that each student completes a field course participants form and the tutor should discuss any safety issues with students before undertaking fieldwork. The tutor should read these carefully and carry these forms during fieldwork for contact details in the event of an emergency. This form is also available as pdf or hard copy (see above).