Tanzania Risk Assessment

Country

/ Conducted by / Conducted for: Uottawa Biology / Date completed
Tanzania / Will Woodstock / 10th Dec 2008

Hazard

/ Who may be harmed / Risk / Control measure
Likelihood / Consequence
Overland travel at night / Team / M / VH / ·  Travel at night should be avoided where possible.
·  Use reputable companies or private hire vehicles for long distance journeys.
Road Bandits / All / L / H / ·  WCE leader to ensure team avoid travelling on the road from Babati to Dodoma as it is notorious for bandits.
·  Team Leader to check with Tour Operator as to the security state of the road to My Meru and confirm escort if risk is high.
Mugging and theft in cities and rural areas / Team / M / M / ·  Team leader to brief team to be vigilant and ensure that students are never in groups of less than 4.
·  Team to stay together after dark and stick to main streets, avoid open spaces like parks.
·  Team members are not to flaunt valuable items like cameras, watches and money belts.
·  Team members are not to open the door to anyone whose identity they cannot verify when in hotels or similar establishments.
Touts / Flycatchers / Team / VH / VL / ·  Team leader to ensure that when negotiating for prices over safaris, bus journeys and accommodation, the agreed upon price is written down by employee so that it can be produced as proof of price when payment is due. Many bus drivers ‘forget’ the price originally agreed upon, and double it after the journey is over.
·  Team leader to brief team to take care around towns and cities as touts can be aggressive. Ensure proper guidance is given to all group members on the correct way to deal with touts.
Safari / Team / M / VL / ·  Team leader to ensure that only reputable safari companies in possession of a Tour Operators License (NOT just a Business Licence) are used. This provides proof that they are registered with the Tanzanian National Parks.
·  Team leader to ensure that payment for safari is made in an office, to a known employee of the company. Touts are known to pose as employees from reputable companies, extract payment from tourists and then disappear.
·  Leader/Guides to brief team on safety on safari; team members are not to walk around the camp or leave tent at night alone and stress the importance of keeping the campsite clean and tidy to avoid attracting animals to the area.
·  In the event of a vehicle break down in a National Park, do not leave the vehicle and await assistance.
·  When animals in close range, keep still inside the vehicle so as not to draw attention, keep body parts inside at all times.
Harassment/assault / Team / L / VL / ·  Leaders to brief female team members to dress sensibly where applicable - covering shoulders and legs and to behave in an appropriate manner.
·  The team should be fully briefed on cultural differences and appropriate behaviour as part of Build-up day.
Civil Unrest / All / L / VH / ·  WCE leader to brief teams that they must avoid crowded areas and tourist places such as bars and clubs. They should also avoid central Dar es Salaam and keep the time spent in the airport to a minimum.
·  Teams should regularly check for recent information on the Foreign Affairs website and with the Canadian High Commission and In-country contacts.
Trekking above the snow line / All / M / VH / ·  Not applicable to this group
Altitude on treks / All / M / VH / ·  If team members show signs of AMS, WCE leader to monitor and descend if necessary. Ensure sufficient water intake and slow pace.
·  Team Leader to ensure all climbers are aware of the symptoms of AMS and to watch each other.
·  Team Leader to discuss with guide the “actions on” when dealing with a climber with AMS.
Night ascent on Mt Meru / All / VH / L / ·  Team leader to discuss with guide and asses the state of group before attempting. A night ascent will mask the exposure of the summit ridge, but this must be balanced with the dangers of trekking at night. Whilst a daylight ascent will allow for better footing, groups will face the full exposure of the ridge.
·  Regardless of the time of ascent, close management of the group, should be employed, particularly on the summit ridge.
·  Consider use of safety rope for confidence.
Alcohol / Team / M / H / ·  Drinking of Alcohol by all team members should be actively discouraged.
Drugs / Team / M / H / ·  Leaders to brief team members that possession or use or narcotics is strictly prohibited and can result in stiff jail sentences.
·  Team leader to ensure that team avoids touristy locations where the presence of drugs is well known.
Malaria / Team / M / VH / ·  Team leader to ensure team follow medical advice on Malaria prophylaxis and leaders to ensure these are taken, set up buddy system. Team Leader / In country expert to brief team on the importance of preventing getting bitten.
HIV/Aids / Team / L / VH / ·  Team leader to brief team on the dangers of unprotected sex, intravenous drug use, vaccinations or injections, tattooing and body piercing.
·  Leaders should also make the team aware of the risk of infection through open wounds, however small. All injuries (wounds) should be dealt with accordingly.
·  In medical incidents, only recommended hospitals and screened blood to be used.
Snakes / Team / L / VH / ·  To minimise the chances of being bitten, always wear boots, socks and long trousers when walking through undergrowth where snakes may be present.
·  When walking over logs and rocks always look down to where your feet will land, as snakes are particularly common in these sheltered spots.
·  Don’t put your hands in to holes and crevices and be careful if collecting firewood.
·  Team leader to brief team to stopand back off slowly if they see a snake, and wait until the reptile disappears. Never play with, attackor try to handle snakes
·  If bitten, Team leader to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Crocodiles in freshwater lakes and rivers / Team / M / VH / ·  Leaders to ensure that the team do not swim in freshwater lakes and rivers and take caution when fetching water.
·  Seek advice of locals.
Armed Robbery / All / L / VH / ·  Team leader to ensure that all high-risk areas and situations where robbery may occur are avoided.
·  All team members to comply with the demands of the robbers and must not offer any form of resistance.
·  Following an incident, team leader to ensure that team are moved to a place of safety and report the incident to authorities.
Food / All / M / M / ·  Team Leader to brief all team members of appropriate hygiene matters when dealing with food and water.
·  Team leader to ensure adequate supply of O.R.T salts in case of dehydration.
·  Whilst on the road or in restaurants and hotel the team should only consume bottled water with a sealed cap.
Bilharzia / Team / L / H / ·  Leaders to ensure team members do not swim in stagnant or reedy water where there could be a risk of contamination.
·  WCE leaders to ensure team members do not swim in Lake Malawi.