Water pollution, dumps | Harmful chemicals, toxic/flammable gases, wastes | Stay out of water, test kits, correct clothing, purification methods, local knowledge, avoidance, PPE |
Mechanical |
Machinery, plant, tools/equipment | Entanglement, trapping, crushing, etc, sudden failure | Guarding, training, maintenance, spares |
Electrical |
Generators, equipment | Shock, fire, exposed circuits, differing safety standards | Use low voltages, correct use, guarding |
Human activity |
Farming, forestry, industrial | Machinery, chemicals, vehicles, felling, static and mobile machinery, buildings, vehicles, large plant and machines at open cast sites and quarries | Avoidance, access permits, local knowledge, guides |
Excavations, mines, quarries i.e. 'confined spaces' | Toxic gas, flooding, asphyxiation, explosive mixes, roof fall/collapse, hidden shafts, dead ends, failure of props/supports | Oxygen/other gas monitor, radon/radiation monitor, breathing apparatus, other PPE, local knowledge, no lone working, permits |
Military | Explosion, ammunition | Do not touch explosives, detonators, fuses, suspect objects, etc. |
Waste disposal | Hazardous materials | Avoid refuse tips, landfill sites |
Recreation |
Hunting/Shooting | Firearms | Avoid area, observe warning signs |
Climbing | Rock-falls | Correct equipment, local knowledge |
Horse riding | Collision | Training, riding helmet, correct equipment |
ATVs/off-roaders | Collision | |
Skiing | Avalanche, collision | Check weather forecasts, seek local advice |
Work procedures |
Boats | Sinking, swamping, blown out to sea | Seamanship, sailing training |
Diving | Drowning, bends | Training (use of equipment/techniques) |
Working at heights (>2 metres) | Falls | Harness, safety ropes etc., correct equipment, training |
Cooking/heating | CO poisoning, fire | Training, gas detector |
Vehicles | Collision, being struck, fuel fires, loose loads, hazardous terrain | Driving competence, training, restrict U/G drivers, extinguishers |
Sampling | Hard rock splinters | PPE |
Work abroad |
Vehicles | As above | Use of local drivers, knowledge of local laws/penalties |
Catering | Food-bourne illness | Avoid higher risk foods (e.g. ready to eat, milk, ice, unwashed salads, shellfish) |
| Water-bourne illness | Potable water, purification tablets, bottled water |
Local factors | Restrictions on photography, differing customs/sense of humour, sexual harassment, criminal element | Local knowledge, guide, circumspect behaviour |
Health | Illness, infection (including hepatitis and HIV) | |
Accommodation | Availability, suitability, sanitation, security | Health insurance, see above |
Civil unrest, International tensions | Armed conflict, terrorist activity | Local knowledge, advance arrangements, FC Office advice |
Other stressors | Accommodation problems, differing expectations, crime, language/communication problems, isolation, remoteness, lack of family/peer support, workload | Contact arrangements, support |
General |
Lone working | Isolation | Communications, always within hailing distance of others, ensure your location and movements are known |
Health | Pre-existing conditions | Health declaration, special arrangements |
| Food intolerance/allergy | Health declaration, special arrangements |
| Foot problems | Foot care |
| Lack of fitness, exhaustion | Adequate preparation |
Behaviour | Group dynamics, relationships | Knowledge of standards required, sensible standards, respect for other people/cultures, comply with leader instructions |
Sampling | Legal problems | Take only what is permitted, leave site clean and tidy, minimise disturbance to crops, livestock, landscape, only enter private/restricted areas after gaining permission |
Clothing | Various | Suitable for climate, area, activities, customs, laws, carry spare items, suitable footwear |
High places | Falls, material falling/slipping, unguarded mine shafts, unstable cliffs | Stay away from tops and bottoms of steep slopes, mine shafts, etc., quarry/cliff/bank edges |
Environmental | Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), conservation areas, etc. | Avoid, permits |