/ GenericRisk Assessment – Part A / Version 7
May 2008
Assessment summary details / Reference: / RA43
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 / Tanker and container incidents
Outline of risk assessment
Summary of what is proposed
Overall risk level (when all controls are in place) / Journalists and programme makers visit the site of chemical spills from tankers and containers. On site they will be recording general views (GVs), interviews with people involved, including the emergency service personnel and incident control officers, and vox pops. They are not involved with any work on or with the spilled substance although like other members of the general public at the scene there is potential for accidental exposures.
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 / 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:
Tanker and container incidents / Journalists, programme makers, staff and freelancers. /
  • Exposure to hazardous fumes
  • Contact with spray or dust off hazardous substances
  • Contact with hazardous liquids
  • Explosion from flammable materials or fumes
/
  • Plan position to minimise teams exposure e.g. from vantage point at safe distance.
  • If available make contact with incident control and keep up to date with developing incident.
  • Identify chemicals if possible – look at HAZMAT signs, emergency numbers on tanker and contact the BBC Safety Advice Line: +44(0) 870 411 0464.
  • Park vehicles safely in relation to incident and wind direction.
  • Approach and position upwind from fume/substance release be aware of wind direction changes.
  • Observe and abide by all instructions from emergency services and do not cross cordon lines.
  • If explosion is a threat, teams must film/record from as far away as possible and seek guidance from emergency services.
  • Never smoke at incident and be aware of other ignition sources around incident that may trigger a fire or explosion.
  • Evacuate at the first signs of potential hazard such as giddiness, sore eyes or throat, headaches etc and get into fresh air.

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.
Pregnant staff should take risks to themselves and their baby into consideration – discuss with deployer.
See also risk assessment covering Chemical. Biological, Radiation. Nuclear (CBRN) and Industrial spills.
Other risk assessment in series cover docks, water and environments where a spill can occur.
Being struck by vehicles while on the road, lay-by or hard shoulder /
  • Do not go on the road unless the area is cordoned off by emergency services.
  • Wear high visibility jackets.
  • Park safely and avoid dazzling other road users with lights.

Action Plan:

Communicate results of risk assessment through Journalism Safety Guide.

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