Health and Safety on Study Visits

Study visits to museums and art galleries etc form part of many Birkbeck courses.  Within the UK these generally present no risks other than the normal hazards of life e.g. slips & trips or negotiating traffic and no special planning for health and safety is necessary though elements of the following guidance may still be useful.. 

Field trips as part of environmental, biological, geological and geographical courses are more complex and require specific risk assessments to be carried out and these are dealt with elsewhere. 

Study visits abroad also require some thought with regard to health and safety.  Though Birkbeck students are generally mature adults and are required to make their own travel, accommodation and insurance arrangements - they should still be provided with advice and guidance to help them avoid possible mishaps.  In addition, some basic details on each participating student  should be held by the member of staff conducting the visit.

Risk assessment
Birkbeck has a form here that can be used: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/so/forms/risk/printable
What are you going to do? – if you are only visiting sites and reading and talking about them then this should be straightforward.  If you are carrying out other activities e.g. excavation – then discuss this with Birkbeck Health and Safety Services. 

General tourist sites
There should be no exposure to hazards on sites that the general tourist has access to e.g. there will be fencing and guards about to stop people straying into hazardous or sensitive areas. That said - keep an eye out in case standards are not as strictly applied as in the UK; point out and warn of any obvious hazards noted.

Traffic and personal safety.
Local conditions are probably worth researching and warning students about of significant findings.   Read a guide book, pass on any tips for safety and security mentioned e.g. cars perhaps do not always stop at pedestrian crossings as in England; pickpocket hotspots etc.

Following instructions. Students should be informed that they must obey all safety instructions given by party leaders and to stay with the party, except by clear arrangement with the leaders.

Free time
Male students and female students may need sound advice on going out and about e.g. interacting safely with locals, taking care with local alcoholic products, avoiding unsafe areas of town.  
 
One College field trip policy states, 'You should make every effort to sustain the College's reputation for order and discipline.  In particular you should have consideration for others and avoid actions (including excessive consumption of alcohol), or any action which may compromise the safety, well-being or enjoyment of others. A student who fails to maintain a reasonable standard of behaviour will be dismissed from the field course and referred to the College Authorities.  Should this become necessary the group leader will dismiss the student from the field course (giving a clear statement of the reasons for dismissal) and inform the Dean of Faculty, who will take further action as necessary.'

This sounds drastic and it is to be hoped that it will never be necessary but experience has shown that  it is worth pointing out to students none the less.

Health issues
Consider, preferably before but definitely when in situ, whether any students have obvious health conditions that would make them tire easily, have problems keeping up, be nervous about heights or similar, etc.    Students must inform the leader before setting out on any study trip if they have a medical condition that could give rise to problems - see Student details section below.  They should be informed that if they feel ill they must inform the leader at once and tell the leader if they have any difficulty in keeping up with the party. One might also require everyone to carry water, a hat and sun block plus wear sensible walking shoes and clothing.

Student details
A simple record form of student details should be completed before setting out on the first day and be kept by the member of staff conducting the visit.  e.g.:
1. Student Name..................................
2. Mobile number.................................
3. Local accommodation address and phone number..........................................
4. Next of kin name and contact number....................................................
5. Are you now or have you recently suffered from any condition which may be relevant to your safety or comfort during the week, e.g. epilepsy, giddiness, blackouts, fainting,, asthma, allergies, diabetes, heart or lung complaints, other physical disability, claustrophobia or recent surgical operations? If so, please give details:..........................................................
6. Are you presently under the care of a medical practitioner? If so, please state reasons and give details of any drugs currently prescribed: ........................................................

Other - dress codes
There are often strict dress codes to be observed for entry to religious buildings. Check beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Other - sharp objects
To protect persons and paintings etc, some buildings have X-ray scanners before entry points.  Swiss army knives and the like will be confiscated and/or entrance refused. Check beforehand to avoid disappointment.