Risk Assessments

Here is a copy of all of the risk assessments for the trip from our tour company Casterbridge Tours

Casterbridge Tours Risk Assessment - Discovering Iceland
Risk	Risk Level	Control Measures	Contingency Plan / Notes
	Probability  Severity
GENERAL
Uncertain leadership and group control	Low           Low	·          The school should formally appoint one of the staff Participants as the tour leader, henceforth referred to as the Leader.	The school should have a formalised procedure in the case that the appointed Leader falls ill.
Sickness / Incapacity of Staff Participants	Med           Low	·          A protocol should be set in place by the school to ensure that the supervisory roles of the teaching staff can be carried out adequately in the event that the Leader or other Participants of the teaching staff become ill or otherwise incapacitated.
Country Political Situation	Low            High	·          Casterbridge Tours should monitor FCO travel warnings and inform the school if there are any concerns about the political situation in the destination country, or any countries through which the group will travel en route. ·          On arrival in the destination country, the group should register with the British Consulate as soon as is practical. ·          Casterbridge Tours should provide the school with details of the local British Consulate, along with details of office hours.	Where there is significant unrest or instability, serious consideration should be given to evacuation and repatriation, and the relevant authorities and organisations should be contacted at an early stage to ascertain the practicalities of this.
Terrorist Attack	Low            High	·          Casterbridge Tours should monitor FCO travel warnings and seek local advice ·          Casterbridge Tours should advise the school if the FCO are reporting any threat. ·          The Leader should monitor the situation in-country and take appropriate action if necessary.	Consideration should be given to evacuation and repatriation, depending on the severity and location of the attack
Earthquake / Flooding /  Volcanic Eruption / Hurricane / Act of God	Low            High	·          Casterbridge Tours should make the School aware of any dangers in the destination country, whether transient or ongoing, by way of detailed pre-departure notes or advisory letter.	Evacuate the group if necessary Comply with any local requirements or restrictions
Inadequate Communications among the group	Low            Med	·          The staff Participants should all carry mobile phones. ·          Staff Participants should consider obtaining local SIM cards for their phones, or alternatively purchasing local 'pay as you go' phones to be used during the trip. ·          Staff Participants should distribute their phone numbers to all Participants. ·          Participants should carry mobile phone and keep them switched on during the tour.	Participants should check before departure whether they need to 'enable' their mobile phone for international roaming.
General Medical Unpreparedness	Med    Med/High	·          The Leader should carry details of any pre-existing medical conditions among group Participants ·          Group Participants should each be advised to bring a small personal medical kit. ·          Casterbridge Tours should provide the school with details of local hospitals and doctors. ·          The school should appoint a duty doctor in the UK who can be contacted if necessary to provide medical advice by telephone.	Casterbridge Tours should give the School a suggested personal medical kit contents list.
Group Separation	Med           Med	·          The Leader should, along with other staff and adult members, agree a suitable procedure for supervising and monitoring all group members during all outdoor and indoor itinerary programmes so that no one is allowed to become separated from the group, whether in an accidental or voluntary manner.
HOTEL ACCOMMODATION
Fire	Low          High	·          Casterbridge Tours should check the suitability of accommodation in conjunction with the local ground operator. ·          Casterbridge Tours should ensure that the hotel meets local fire safety regulations and where applicable has a valid fire safety certificate. ·          The Leader should be aware of the fire escape routes and brief all participants accordingly
Faulty Electrical Wiring	Low          High	·          The Leader should brief all Participants to report immediately any loose or faulty wiring in their rooms.
Theft	Med          Med	·          Do not leave valuables in hotel rooms unless they can be secured ·          If possible, any valuable documents (passports etc) should be deposited in the hotel safe
Other Guests and Hotel Staff	Low          Med	·          The Leader should ensure that all staff Participants are aware of the location of the groups' rooms. ·          The Staff Participants must be aware of other guests and identify any potential trouble makers
ACCIDENTS & INJURIES
Trauma Injury Whilst Hiking	Low          High	·          The Leader must brief participants on the general need to be observant when hiking, and in particular to pay attention to their footing when hiking on paths which are close to steep drops ·          The Leader should supervise the crossing of any potentially hazardous terrain ·          The Leader should make participants aware of any potential risks such as stonefall. ·          The Leader should ensure that all Participants wear and carry suitable and appropriate clothing and equipment for the hiking. ·          Casterbridge Tours should provide the school with an appropriate equipment	The Leader should carry all necessary contact details for evacuation (local agents, helicopter company, Casterbridge Tours emergency out of hours numbers)
Minor Injury (trips, cuts, abrasions etc)	Med           Med	·          The Leader should brief participants about walking over rough and uneven terrain, and in particular that extra caution is required when descending
Falls from Height	Low           High	·          When visiting natural  terrain known to adjoin steep drops, such as cliffs and craters, the Leader should brief participants not to walk close to the edge, and to ensure that all group members are adequately supervised. ·          When visiting ancient buildings, the Leader must brief members to exercise caution and not to climb on structures.
Blisters	Med           Low	·          Participants should be advised to take suitable footwear. ·          Participants should be advised not to get their feet wet. ·          Participants should be advised to treat potential blister 'hotspots' as soon as they are detected
Sun Burn	Med           Med	·          Participants must be advised to bring sun protection cream and suitable protective clothing and headwear ·          The Leader must brief all Participants about the importance of adequate sun protection and precautions	The Leader should carry extra supplies of sun cream
Heat Stroke & Dehydration	Med           Med	·          Adequate safe drinking water should be available at all times ·          The Leader must brief all participants about the need for good sun protection and to drink plenty of fluids ·          In very hot conditions, the Leader should consider a reduction in activity during the hottest part of the day	Seek medical treatment
Animal Attack	Low           Med	·          Participants should be instructed to avoid unnecessary close contact with all animals including farm animals, horses and dogs. ·          Participants must not approach or befriend stray animals, especially dogs	Seek medical treatment
Assault	Low           High	·          Participants should be advised to exercise caution and not be permitted to walk alone after dark ·          No visitors to be invited to hotel rooms unless known to the participant	Report all incidents to the local police
Drowning - General *  See also 'Swimming' in activities risks below *  See also 'Drowning' in Hot Springs activities below	Low           High	·          Participants should not be permitted to swim or enter water at any locations where there are not life guard facilities.  ·          If swimming is to be permitted, only those members who have confirmed, prior to departure by way of a certificate, that they are able to swim 50 metres, shall be permitted to swim, and then in the case of minors, only if the school additionally holds parental authorisation. ·          Participants must be advised to exercise caution and must be strictly supervised at all times when visiting rivers and waterfalls. ·          If protective clothing or safety equipment is recommended of required for any activies or visits to river and / or waterfalls, it is imperative that it is used.	The school should seek appropriate approval from parents to allow their children to participate in water activities.
HEALTH & HYGIENE
Lack of Drinking Water	Med           Med	·          Casterbridge Tours should liaise with their local in-country agents to confirm that there will be regular access to drinking water throughout the trip. ·          The Leader must ensure that all Participants carry a supply of drinking water each day.
Food Poisoning	Med           Med	·          Casterbridge Tours should liaise with their local in-country agents to ensure that restaurants selected for group meals are well-established and have good local reputations.
Pre-existing Medical Conditions and Allergies	Low           Med	·          The School should make Casterbridge Tours aware of any pre-existing medical conditions or allergies among the group. ·          The Leader should carry details of any pre-existing medical conditions or allergies.
Deep Vein Thrombosis / Embolism	Low           High	·          The Leader should advise all Participants to keep movement in their legs during the flight(s) and to periodically walk around the aircraft ·          Drink plenty of non-alcoholic drinks during the flight. ·          Wear support socks
Endemic Contagious Diseases	Low           High	·          Casterbridge Tours must advise the School if it becomes aware of any endemic contagious diseases in the destination country. ·          Trek participants should consult their doctor at least one month prior to travel and must obtain any recommended vaccinations.	Confirm primary courses and boosters are up to date as recommended for life in Britain Vaccines sometimes advised: None
Alcohol Consumption	Low           Low	·          The Leader should brief all Participants with regard to any School policy on alcohol consumption. ·          Participants should avoid local people who have been drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
GENERAL TRAVEL
Inadequate Travel Documentation	Low            Med	·          Casterbridge Tours must give the School clear and precise instructions as to the passport or visa requirements for the destination country, including necessary application forms ·          The School must forward to participants the necessary details, including instructions and forms for obtaining any visas that may be needed	British and EU passport holders do not require visa for Iceland. Passports should be valid for a period of 6 months beyond the return travel date.
Failure of participants to arrive at the airport in time	Low            Med	·          Casterbridge Tours should give the School clear and unambiguous details of airport location, airline name, flight times, airport reporting times and meeting place ·          The School should ensure participants have all necessary details ·          The Leader must brief participants on reporting time at the hotel for the return flight.	The Leader should bring a name list with all mobile phone / contact numbers to the airport (or the School if that is the meeting point) in case of the need to contact participants should they fail to report on time.
Unsafe Airlines	Low           High	·          Casterbridge Tours must ensure that all flights are booked with airlines that have a good safety record ·          Casterbridge Tours must monitor and take note of FCO and CAA advice regarding local airlines with regard to compliance with European Union aviation safety standards	The group are flying with Iceland Express
Carriage of Inappropriate Items in Hand Baggage	Low           Low	·          The Leader must remind all participants, prior to check in, to place any sharp items and liquids (and any other items forbidden by the airlines) in their main hold baggage.	Current aviation regulations limit liquids in cabin baggage (including toiletries and aerosols) to a maximum size of 100 ml per container.
Customs Seizure / Detention	Low           Med	·          Casterbridge Tours should provide the School with guidance notes covering customs rules and requirements for the destination country(s) ·          The Leader should brief all participants at check in about any notable customs rules and regulations	Iceland is not part of the European Union
Unsafe Vehicles	Low           High	·          Casterbridge Tours must ensure that local transport operators are reliable and hold necessary safety and operating licences ·          Vehicles should be equipped with seat belts. ·          The Leader must ensure that vehicles appear roadworthy, that tyres have sufficient tread and that all the lights work.
Vehicle Accident	Low           High	·          The Leader should ensure that all participants wear seat belts where they are provided.
Unsafe Drivers	Low           High	·          The Leader should ensure that drivers appear sober and competent to drive the vehicle. ·          The Leader should ensure that the driver travels at a speed suited to the conditions of the road
Traffic Regulation	Med          High	·          The Leader must brief all Participants on local road and traffic hazards ·          The Leader must brief all Participants on what side of the road the traffic drives ·          The Leader must brief all Participants to be particularly vigilant when alighting from vehicles on the traffic side
ITINERARY ACTIVITIES
HIKING
Route Finding	Low           Med	·          Casterbridge Tours must employ experienced local guides to escort the group. These guides must have recent and first hand knowledge and experience of the hiking routes to be undertaken. ·          If it would be normal and safe practise to do so, the guide(s) must carry a suitable map and any requisite navigational aids.
Separation	Low           Med	·          No Participant will ever hike alone ·          The Leader must ensure that a front marker and back marker are used during the hikes. ·          All participants should be made aware of route plan ·          In case of separation, the Participant should be instructed to remain on the path and wait to be located, unless compelling reasons dictate otherwise.
Inclement Weather	Med           Med	·          The Leader should be prepared to change the route or plan if the weather conditions are unsuitable. If already embarked on a hike, consideration should be given to returning to the vehicle or seeking shelter ·          Weather forecasts should be obtained each evening, so that up to date assessments can be made each morning.
River Crossings	Low           High	·          The Leader must be aware of the extreme dangers of river crossings and must take measures to avoid such crossings at all costs. ·          In this context, when taking part in activities near rivers,  it is imperative that Staff  Members supervise Participants rigorously to ensure that no member attempts to cross a river for whatever reason. ·          When planning the tour, Casterbridge Tours must ensure that river crossings (other than ankle-deep streams) should never be incorporated into a planned route.
Bridge Crossings	Low           Low	·          The Leader must make an assessment about the suitability of the bridge for crossing ·          The Leader must brief all participants about the dangers of crossing any bridge deemed to be hazardous in any way ·          The Leader must supervise the crossing
HEIMAY ISLAND BOAT TOUR
General Unpreparedness	Low           High	·          Casterbridge Tours should ensure that only a reputable local operator is used for the Boat Tour. ·          Casterbridge Tours should ensure that the local operator holds all necessary safety and licencing documentation. ·          Casterbridge Tours should exercise due diligence to ensure that the local boat operator have not experienced any incidents which would cast doubt upon their ability to operate in a safe manner.
Safety when boarding the vessel	Low           Med	·          The Leader should brief Participants about the need to be cautious when crossing marine gangways as they may be slippery or unstable.
Safety on board	Low          High	·          The Leader should ensure by visual inspection, and prior to embarkation, that there is sufficient provision of life jackets and that their location is made known to Participants. ·          If necessary, the Leader must ensure, either himself or by asking the local guide to act on his behalf, that  prior to embarkation there is a proper safety briefing provided in English by the Captain or official crew member of the vessel. ·          The Leader must brief Participants not to endanger themselves by climbing inappropriately on any section of the vessel or acting in any way deemed by the Leader to be unsafe. ·          The Leader must ensure that the Participants remain together as a group whilst on board and not to allow Participants to wander out of sight.
GLACIER VIEWING
Falls into Crevasses & Sink Holes	Low           High	·          Unless agreed with Casterbridge Tours in advance of travel, participants should not be permitted to hike on the surface of any glaciers	If Glacier Hiking is to be included, additional risk assessment will need to be conducted
Stone and ice falls	Med           High	·          The Leader must brief all members to exercise caution when visiting glacial snouts and outflows and to be aware that stones and ice blocks can fall from high on the surface of the glacier ·          Participants should not be permitted to walk underneath a glacial snout unless a thorough visual inspection indicates that there is no visible material likely to fall.	Seek local advice
SWIMMING
Risk of drowning	Low           High	·          The School must decide on a policy regarding swimming, prior to departure. ·          The Leader and staff members must be aware of the policy and must communicate this to the Participants. If swimming is to be permitted: ·          The Leader must ensure that in public pools or waterparks there are life guards on duty and safety aids such as life rings, throw ropes and poles easily accessible. ·          The Leader must supervise the activity at all times and the staff members must site themselves in positions of maximum usefulness. ·          If swimming in the sea is to be permitted, the Leader must first satisfy himself, by local consultation and observation, that conditions are safe. ·          If swimming in the sea is permitted, the Leader should instruct Participants not to swim beyond their depth. ·          The Leader and staff members must be vigilant and supervise and monitor the swimming at all times. ·          The Leader must ensure that the Participants remain together as a group during the activity.
FACTORY / PLANTATION VISITS
Injury by machinery or toxic substances	Low           High	·          The Leader must ensure that Participants are briefed prior to commencement of the visit about any safety issues relating to machinery, substances or plant life located on the premises. ·          The Leader must ensure that Participants wear any protective clothing that they are provided with. ·          The Leader must brief participants not to eat any fruit, vegetables or other food stuffs which may be part of a production process, unless authorised to do so by a duly appointed representative of the factory.
GEYSERS, HOT SPRINGS & HOT POOLS
Scalds and burns	Low           High	·          The Leader must brief all members to exercise caution when visiting geysers and specifically to observe any safety notices or rules relating to each individual location. ·          The Leader must ensure that there is adequate supervision of the group by adult or staff members. ·          The Leader must advise members to test the temperature of any hot pools or springs which they enter or sit in.
Drowning	Low           High	·          The Leader must be aware of the risk of drowning at hot springs and pools, paying particularly reference to the effect of heating on the body with regard to consciouness ·          The Leader must be aware that any hot Springs which are located within enclosed structures can trap escaping gases which build up and cause drowsiness. ·          The Leader must be aware that the water in many hot springs is opaque and that a submersed casualty may not be visible. ·          The Leader should implement a 'buddy' system when participants are in hot springs, so that members of the group are paired together and are responsible for monitoring each other. ·          The Leader should advise group members that many forms of bacteria and other organisms live in hot water and it is recommended that you do not put your head in the water. ·          The Leader should limit the time that group members spend in hot springs or pools. ·          The Leader should brief members that hot springs can be slippery, and to exercise caution when stepping out of pools, as there may be mud or fine clay on the soles of feet. ·          The Leader should restrict the group to an identified zone or area within any larger hot springs, including the Blue Lagoon, so that he is able to account for all members at all times. ·          The Leader must position himself and other staff members in positions of maximum usefulness in order to monitor the group.