Risk Assessment Zool3010 Field Trips to North Stradbroke Island/ Seaworld

RISK ASSESSMENT ZOOL3010 RISK ASSESSMENT

Activity Title: ZOOL3010 Fieldtrips Locations: North Stradbroke Island and Seaworld

INTRODUCTION

You will receive an emailed cover sheet with a barcode.

Please read the following risks associated with these field trips carefully and sign and date the cover sheet that has been emailed to you.

Then submit it through the School of Integrative Biology assignment submission box (8-229) so your submission can be recorded.

Medical conditions affecting fieldwork participation To ensure the University can meet its obligations, it is vital for relevant information regarding medical limitations to be confidentially provided to and documented by the supervisor. It is an obligation on all participants to take appropriate medical advice and disclose any limitations imposed by their health that may affect their ability to participate safely in the fieldwork activities. It is inappropriate for staff, students or other participants with potentially life threatening medical conditions that may become active during fieldwork, to participate in fieldwork at remote locations. (See Diet/Emergency Details Form on Blackboard)

1 RISK ASSESSMENT – ZOOL3010 FIELD TRIPS TO NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND/ SEAWORLD Activities: Visits to Sea World & to North Stradbroke for land-based studies

Probability of Hazard type occurrence Likely consequence Risk Control actions required Motor vehicle accidents (normal Improbable Catastrophic Medium Only motor vehicles that are road-worthy are to be used and all road conditions) drivers are to be appropriately licensed to operate the motor vehicle, e.g. bus to Sea World and vehicles on North Stradbroke Island. All drivers are to obey Queensland Road Transport Regulations. Driver fatigue is to be avoided and all passengers are to wear seat belts. Field equipment and personal baggage within vehicle is to be secured so as to avoid injury to passengers in the event of an accident. Bites and stings from snakes, Improbable Catastrophic Medium Appropriate footwear to be worn at all times. All persons to be made spiders and insects; contact with aware of dangerous animals (especially snakes) that may be noxious plants, such as stinging encountered. Students to work in pairs and stay in sight of each other trees at all times. Students and other participants to check shoes, clothes and other equipment for noxious animals (especially scorpions and spiders) before picking them up and / or putting them on. Students are not to handle snakes, scorpions or spiders, etc. Students should learn to recognise noxious plants: e.g. Stinging Trees, etc. and avoid contact with them. A First Aid Kit and access to a First Aider to be available. Attachment of ticks and bites by Occasional Major Low All participants to check for presence of ticks and leeches upon return other blood sucking invertebrates from activities and when showering (fortunately in Australia there isn’t the hazard from tick transmitted infectious diseases common elsewhere). Mosquito and midge bites can cause discomfort and result in transmission of infectious diseases (such as Ross River Fever). Long pants and long-sleeved shirts help protect from such bites, but all participants are advised to bring and use their own insect repellent. Cuts and abrasions to feet from Occasional Major Medium Appropriate footwear (i.e. fully enclosed shoes with strong soles) must plants, branches, stones and be worn at all times. First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available. wire, etc. at field sites Students and other participants to be advised to ensure tetanus inoculations are current.

RISK ASSESSMENT CONTINUED

2 Probability of Hazard type occurrence Likely consequence Risk Control actions required Uneven ground causing falls: Occasional Major Medium Appropriate footwear to be worn at all times (i.e. sturdy boots or sprains, strains & fractures, sneakers). Sandals and thongs are inadequate and are not to be involving limbs, joints, etc. worn. First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available. Falls down rocks, cliffs Improbable Catastrophic Medium Students to keep well clear of cliff edges or any ground that may subside. Cliff-top work at Point Lookout will be conducted behind safety fences and students are not to move past these barriers. Students are not to rock climb or go clambering over rocks where falls may occur. Further, students must remain clear of areas that may be subject to high wave action and/or freak waves. Falls, trips, etc. in the dark at Occasional Major Medium Students and other participants are to bring torches with them. Walk research station don’t run! First Aid Kit and First Aider to be available. Exposure to inclement Frequent Minor to Major Medium All participants to be made aware of climatic conditions likely to be weather (sun, cold, etc.) encountered and are to bring appropriate clothing; i.e. warm weather or cold weather clothing and hats, sunglasses and other protective clothing for day and night (generally long pants and long-sleeved shirts are to be preferred), wet weather gear, etc. Sunscreen is to be provided for all participants, although people are also advised to bring their own. Dehydration Frequent Minor to Moderate Medium All participants to have an adequate supply of drinking water. Participants to carry appropriate water bottles during the day. At least 2 litres per person are to be carried during warm weather. Adequate supplies of drinking water to be available. Food Poisoning Improbable Minor to Moderate Low Before preparing food, all persons are to wash their hands thoroughly. Long hair to be tied back or covered with an appropriate head covering. Food must be kept clean and covered to prevent contamination. Perishable food items should be kept cool (below 5 OC) or piping hot (above 70 OC). Once prepared, any food that cannot be refrigerated is to be disposed of and in any case is not to be consumed after 24hrs. Kitchen area and utensils are to be kept hygienically clean.

3 Activity: Boating & snorkelling off North Stradbroke Island

Probability of Hazard type occurrence Likely consequence Risk Control actions required Cuts and burns whilst carrying Improbable Major Low All persons in kitchen area to follow the instructions of the kitchen out kitchen duties. supervisor at all times. Persons to pay due care and attention whilst carrying out kitchen duties. Persons lost / missing whilst Improbable Critical Medium All participants to be made aware of the dangers and consequences on island or at Sea World of becoming lost. The rules for leaving the field sites to be made clear to all personnel. A list of all persons departing the site is to be taken. All names must be accounted for and checked off the list when any group returns to station, and also in the evening when the class assembles. When away from the research station, students are to remain in pairs and remain in sight of each other at all times. NO STUDENT IS EVER TO LEAVE THE RESEARCH STATION ON THEIR OWN OR WITHOUT INFORMING STAFF. The same applies to the Sea World excursion. Students are to remain in a group at all times. Students will be issued with maps of the park. Students names will be ticked off at start and end of excursion. Electrical hazard from Improbable Catastrophic Medium All electrical equipment, including multi-plug boards and extension equipment and electrical cords cords to be in good repair. Plug sockets not to be overloaded. No double adaptors to be used. Persons to be adequately instructed in correct equipment usage. Mains voltage equipment is not to be used in situations where rain or other moisture makes this hazardous. Man overboard Remote Catastrophic High All passengers must maintain position inside vessel. Passengers to sit on properly proscribed areas and hold on whilst boat is in motion. Driver must alert passengers to changes in boat’s motion.

Collision while vessels in Remote Catastrophic High Driver must maintain control and proper vigilance during operation of motion vessel. Ensure weather conditions will not impair visibility. Driver must have knowledge of navigational requirements of area. Ensure that other boats are in the area.

4 Activity: Boating off North Stradbroke Island

Exposure to inclement Frequent Minor Medium Review weather conditions prior to departure. All staff must be weather notified of weather conditions and students to equip themselves with necessary protection: wet-weather gear, sunhat, sunscreen. Weather forecasts to be checked daily; and continual visual checks of possible weather conditions. Radio contact with research station for updates on weather conditions. Engine failure Occasional Major Medium Vessel to be maintained in good working order by Univ Qld. Vessel must be equipped with safety equipment and communication devices (mobile phone and/or radio). Report any problems to Boating officer, no matter how minor, on return to base. Sunburn Frequent Minor High All students to bring and apply sunscreen and /or zinc cream to exposed skin. Protective clothing to be worn at all times: sun-hats, long-sleeved clothing etc. Sunscreen to be carried on board the vessel. Students to be reminded at regular intervals and after swimming to reapply sunscreen Cold, exposure Frequent Minor High Students to wear suitable in-water clothing, i.e. wetsuits. All students to have waterproof jacket on board Dangerous marine animals Occasional Minor- major Medium All students to be informed of marine animals likely to be encountered, e.g. razor clams, jellyfish, sharks. All students and staff to remain vigilant and aware. Lookout posted in boat. Fire onboard vessel Improbable Catastrophic Medium Ensure fire extinguishers are serviceable Drowning Remote Catastrophic High Ensure that all students can swim before entering the water if this option is available (written questionnaire regarding ability and experience). Ensure that each student shows competency in swimming during a short proficiency test in shallow water at start of day. Students to swim in buddy pairs. Keep all students close together in water and with staff overseeing in-water activities from both water and staff as look-outs in boat. Delineate area in which students can swim and enforce this swim area and other no-go zones. All students to remain in shallow water. All students to have mask & snorkel and pair of fins. All students to be counted at start of snorkel, end of snorkel and continually during the snorkel activity.

END of Risk Assessment