/ GenericRisk Assessment – Part A / Version 7
May 2008
Assessment summary details / Reference: / RA51
Division / Journalism / Departments / Newsgathering, TV and Radio Programmes, Online, Nations & Regions news programmes, Global News Division.
Series / Production / Unit / Journalism Safety Series for gathering newsand news programme work on location / Programme / Area / All newsgathering work on location for BBC News programmes including multimedia productions e.g. TV, Radio and Online.
Responsible Manager
Address / tel. / BBC Journalism Board
BBC Safety Journalism Team / Contact office
Address / tel. / BBC Safety. Internal: 0464
External: +44(0) 370 411 0464
Date assessment created / Series created June 2008 / Sign-off status / Corporate GenericRisk Assessments
Risk assessment title
Simple name for reference purposes / Working on or near water
Outline of risk assessment
Summary of what is proposed
Overall risk level (when all controls are in place) / Journalists and programme makers visit areas and activities on or near water to record ad gather material or broadcast. These activities can vary from a ‘rubber duck’ event near a village stream, quota stories on fishing trawlers, village wells & wildlife in Africa - to illegal immigrants at night.
Low  / Medium / High
Assessment start date / June 2009 / Review / End date / June 2010
Country location / UK and International / Hostile / travel advisory? / If location at which the activity takes place is in a HE or travel advisory area, further risk assessment and consultation with BBC Safety must take place.
Location details / Variable
Key crew / team
Roles,responsibilities, competencies / Individuals working at News locations are responsible for acting safely at all times in regard to their own safety, that of their colleagues and the general public. Including Producers, Directors, Broadcast Journalists, Camera Journalists, Researchers, Correspondents, Presenters, Technical support staff and other staff.
Attachments
Upload supporting documents /
Assessor
Person drafting risk assessment / Newsgathering and SafetyJSG Team / Assessor safety competence / Chartered Safety Practitioners (CIOSH) and experienced News location managers.
Authoriser / Job role
Person responsible for sign-off / Stephen Gregory
Head of BBC Production Safety / Date signed-off / May 2008
Distribution
Who gets a copy of the assessment / Assessment is communicated through Journalism Safety Guide [JSG] and is available on BBC Gateway site.
Comments log
Who by / Date / time received / Comments / Assessor response / Date/ time responded
Louise Bisdee / June 09 / Risk rating added and light revision in line with 2nd Ed of JSG and current contact list / Incorporated into risk assessment / June 2009

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/ Risk Assessment Form – Part B / Version 7
May 2008
What are you doing? / Who is involved? / How could people get ill / injured? / How are you going to prevent thishappening?
Activity title:
Working on or near water / Journalists, programme makers, staff and freelancers. / Boats
  • Engine failure, collision, grounding and wrecks
/
  • Make sure that adequate planning takes place and that comms are set up with team and deployer.
  • Plan routes / discuss planned activity with skipper.
  • Leave the boat only at points where safe to do so e.g. avoid sand banks, boat to boat transfers.
  • Do not climb to height on boat, e.g. filming from crows nest, yard arms or mast.
  • Be aware of hazards on the water, including low bridges and other obstacles.
  • Wear flat robust shoes and be careful of trip hazards e.g. ropes, bags and boat equipment.
  • When using or hiring a boat, points to look out for include:
  • Skipper has formal qualifications
  • Licensed to carry passengers
  • Public liability insurance
  • Sufficient safety gear on board – but ultimate responsibility for providing BBC team’s safety equipment stays with BBC.
  • Vessel is well maintained and seaworthy.
  • Radio / comms in place.
  • Sufficient fuel is taken for safe journey.

Description:
Location work carried out on or near water / Drowning /
  • Wear life jackets where there is a risk of entering water and choose the correct life jacket (automatic or manual inflation etc) for the conditions.
  • Understand the local emergency plan (briefing from skipper etc) or if in control of boat make a plan and tell everyone.
  • Avoid areas affected by waves and tidal surges – keep well back and monitor weather conditions.

Hypothermia /
  • Wear clothing suitable for location / weather / sea conditions.

Limitations / restrictions:
A pre activity recce is not always practical; so teams must make additional ‘on the spot’ decisions when on location and tell the RO or deployer of increased risks and any new controls. / Animal attack / Be aware of any potentially harmful creatures in water e.g. snakes, crocodiles, hippos etc – take expert advice!
Infections from rat urine - leptospirosis (inland waters / holds of ships) /
  • Cuts or abrasions will be covered with waterproof dressings if risk of infection.
  • Wash hands before eating, drinking or smoking.
  • Information on leptospirosis given to team.
  • Information on leptospirosisavailable from HSE site

Action Plan:

Communicate results of risk assessment through Journalism Safety Guide.

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