Risk Assessment and Management in Dominica 2017
Contents 2017-01 Douglas-Charles Airport and Roseau... 2 2017-02 Bus transfers... 2 2017-03 Forest Research Camp... 3 2017-04 Vehicle Transfers between Research Camp and Survey Sites... 4 2017-05 Field Surveys... 4 2017-06 Night trekking and survey work... 6 2017-07 National Trail hike, including freshwater swimming... 6 2017-08 Extreme Dominica Canyoning Experience... 8 2017-09 Whale watching and boat transfer to Fort Shirley... 9 2017-10 Fort Shirley and Dive Sites... 10 2017-11 Diving and snorkelling... 11 2017-12 Hurricane and severe weather risks... 13 Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 1
2017-01 Douglas-Charles Airport and Roseau (Key: H=High, M=Medium, L=Low) Theft L L Ensure all participants are met at the airport by Khatts Tours and their luggage loaded safely onto the buses. Students to be briefed to keep a close eye on their belongings and be aware of possible pickpockets Uneven pavements M M The sidewalks in Douglas-Charles airport and Roseau are uneven and have examples of open drops into drainage channels or tunnels. All participants to be briefed ahead of time on the risks of walking around the city and to be instructed to take torches if walking after dark. Being injured from traffic L H Traffic in Dominica generally moves very slowly. However ensure all staff and volunteers are told to look before crossing the road. Mugging or violence L H Crime rates in Dominica are very low, however should any participants be staying in Roseau before or after the expedition they are to be instructed not to walk in the more remote parts of the town after dark and to always go in groups. Stomach problems L M At all times students should drink water that has been purified and provided by Opwall, or bottle water. Students and staff will be reminded of the importance of washing their hands before eating anything. 2017-02 Bus transfers) RTA or other vehicle related incident L H All drivers used by Opwall for transfers to be provided by Khatts Tours who are responsible for ensuring that all drivers have the relevant national qualifications and are told to drive slowly and carefully at all times. All vehicles to be vetted for mechanical errors, ensuring that the vehicle is suitable for the journey and in good working order. Each bus to have a mobile phone and the necessary equipment for changing the wheels and to carry a torch. Volunteers briefed to carry sufficient water for the journey Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 2
in case of breakdown. Opwall staff to check in by phone when they reach their field site and then call again before leaving to return to the research camp, providing an ETA. Vehicles attacked L H All transport is on main roads and there is always a staff member on each coach who has phone contact with the team in the research camp and with all relevant emergency numbers. Departure time, progress reports and ETA to be phoned through to the Opwall country manager during transfers. 2017-03 Forest Research Camp Break-in or attack at the L M All Opwall staff members are based at the research camp. Only personnel involved in the project or Camp known to the camp manager are able to stay at the camp. All students and staff will be advised to keep Poor hygiene leading to illness Injury or drowning at rivers near the research camp Mosquito bites leading to malaria, dengue fever or chikungunya their tents shut when they are not in there and also when asleep at night L L A cook is employed to ensure excellent hygiene standards in the kitchen and cleaners maintain and bathroom areas. All volunteers to be reminded to wash their hands before eating and to shower regularly. Students are advised to carry alcohol hand sanitising gel to use before eating their packed lunch if unable to wash their hands while out on field work. L H All groups to be permitted to go to the river in good weather conditions but only in groups and when accompanied by a staff member competent to perform water rescue. H M Malaria is not present in Dominica but two other mosquito borne diseases, Dengue and Chikungunya are present on the island. All participants to be instructed to cover up in the early morning and late afternoons, sleep under mosquito nets and wear DEET based insect repellent. Although currently malaria is not reported to be present in Dominica, students are advised to obtain up-to-date information from their doctor or travel clinic prior to the expedition and, if necessary, to take malaria prophylactic treatment. Allergic reaction to food M H All participants to submit dietary and allergy information at least 3 months prior to the expedition. Camp managers to make kitchen staff aware of all relevant allergies. Where allergies are serious (e.g. severe nut allergies), no trigger foods to be prepared or served in camp whilst the relevant participant is on-site (e.g. a total nut ban). Fire L H Ensure there are fire extinguishers in the main building and buckets with sand/water distributed around the site. Ensure that staff are trained in the fire and evacuation to a safe point procedure. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 3
Everyone to be briefed upon arrival about fire protocols and evacuation procedures. No smoking to be allowed in any building or near the tented areas. Theft L L All volunteers to be instructed to not leave valuables lying around and lock them in safety deposit boxes at the camp site. 2017-04 Vehicle Transfers between Research Camp and Survey Sites RTA or other vehicle related incident L H All drivers are told to drive slowly and carefully at all times. All vehicles to be vetted for mechanical errors, ensuring that the vehicle is suitable for the journey and in good working order. Each bus to have a mobile phone and the necessary equipment for changing the wheels and to carry a torch. Volunteers briefed to carry sufficient water for the journey in case of breakdown. Opwall staff to check in by phone when they reach their field site and then call again before leaving to return to the research centre, providing an ETA. Vehicles attacked L H All transport is on main roads and there is always a staff member on each coach who has phone contact with the team in the research centre and with all relevant emergency numbers. Estimated return times for each group to be communicated with the Site Manager and written on a whiteboard in camp. Volunteer falling out of back of pick-up truck 2017-05 Field Surveys L M Sensible maximum numbers of passengers to be adhered to in each vehicle. All passengers to be prohibited from sitting on the edge of the bed of the truck or from standing during transfers unless the truck is fitted with side bars. Medical problem for volunteer or staff member M M Emergency vehicle to be available at all times. Hospital in Roseau is within one hour drive of all research camps, and is well equipped with English speaking staff. All volunteers to submit medical forms prior to arrival so that the site manager is aware of any allergies or medical problems. Volunteers with allergies to wasps or bees to be advised to carry epipens with them. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 4
Need for emergency evacuation Volunteer becoming lost in the forest and unable to find the camp Attack from local people or dogs on the walks to and from the forest Falling down steep slopes or tripping on slippery surfaces. Dehydration leading to death Snake bite or other wildlife related injury L H A vehicle is available at all times for evacuation to the hospital in Roseau (90 minutes approx). Phone signal at all of the research camps so that additional medical advice can be obtained if needed and evacuations co-ordinated. All teams to have a mobile phone whilst in the field. L H No volunteer or staff member to leave the research centre or trek without an accompanying staff member, mobile phone, sufficient water and basic first aid kit. All groups leaving camp must sign out on a whiteboard system with details of where they are intending to go and estimated time of return. If the group does not return on time then the site manager to make contact with the group by mobile phone and if this is not possible to organise a search and rescue team. L H All groups to be accompanied by staff members, and briefed on how to behave if approached by an aggressive dog. M M Ensure that all staff and volunteers have footwear with good grip and ankle support. Ensure volunteers are shown how to walk with stick as an aid when descending and ascending slopes. Regular trails with steep slopes to be fitted with ropes. All river crossings to be done with competent and experienced staff leading and where necessary the use of ropes. Ensure that an evacuation plan is in position for each location in which the staff and volunteers will be working. L H Ensuring that all staff and volunteers are informed that this is a significant risk and that they drink 3 litres of water per day. Ensuring that all participants carry sufficient water supplies for the duration of each survey. Ensuring that the survey leader stops regularly for the group to rest and checks for signs of dehydration or exhaustion. L L There are no venomous snakes or large wild animals in the Dominica forests. Survey leaders to ensure that volunteers do not pick up or handle any snakes or wildlife unless under direct supervision. No volunteer to be allowed to handle bats, even if they have had their rabies pre-exposure injections prior to the season. Survey leaders to ensure that groups stay away from any major hives or nests. If they do encounter them, group to be led calmly and quietly away from the nest and to move to a different survey plot. All volunteers to be advised to check their shoes and boots in the mornings for scorpions, and to always check the ground is clear before sitting down in the forest. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 5
2017-06 Night trekking and survey work Not being able to see L L Ensuring all staff and volunteers on night walks have a head torch or hand torch resulting in a fall Ensuring that staff members give a briefing including night-trekking techniques prior to the trek group's Drowning or being swept away departure. Ensure that all safety precautions are taken in line with the control measures for trekking L VH The survey leader to judge whether it is safe for the group to cross any river either separately or in the case of higher flows using ropes. Ensuring that groups keep in close contact with each group member. 2017-07 National Trail hike, including freshwater swimming Medical problem for volunteer or staff member M M Emergency vehicle to be available at all times. Hospital in Roseau is within 1.5 hours drive from all of the research camps, and is well equipped with English speaking staff. All volunteers to submit medical forms prior to arrival so that the site manager is aware of any allergies or medical problems. Volunteers Need for emergency evacuation Volunteer/groups becoming lost on the hike Attack from local people or dogs on the hike with allergies to wasps or bees to be advised to carry epipens with them. L H A vehicle is available at all times for evacuation to the hospital in Roseau. There is phone signal at each research camp so that additional medical advice can be obtained if needed and evacuations coordinated. All teams to have a mobile phone whilst on the trail. L H No volunteer or staff member to leave for the hike activity without an accompanying staff member, mobile phone, sufficient water and basic first aid kit. All groups leaving camp for the hike must sign out on a whiteboard system with details of where they are intending to go and estimated time of return. If the group does not return on time then the site manager to make contact with the group by mobile phone and if this is not possible to organise a search and rescue team. L H All hiking groups to be accompanied by staff members, and briefed on how to behave if approached by an aggressive dog. Friendly contact is advised, but extended contact with local people is not encouraged and individuals should never be alone with a local. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 6
Falling down steep slopes or tripping on slippery surfaces. Dehydration, (also heat exhaustion and cold) leading to death Snake bite or other wildlife related injury Risk of slipping when accessing swimming spot Risk of drowning or other injury when swimming M M Ensure that all staff and volunteers have footwear with good grip and ankle support. Ensure volunteers are shown how to walk with stick as an aid when descending and ascending slopes. Regular trails with steep slopes to be fitted with ropes. All river crossings to be done with competent and experienced staff leading and where necessary the use of ropes. Ensure that an evacuation plan is in position for each location in which the staff and volunteers will be working. L H Ensuring that all staff and volunteers are informed that this is a significant risk and that they drink 3 litres of water per day, more when hiking. Ensuring that all participants carry sufficient water supplies for the duration of each survey. Ensuring that the survey leader stops regularly for the group to rest and checks for signs of dehydration or exhaustion. Adequate clothing and footwear, according to prevailing conditions are to be taken. L L There are no venomous snakes or large wild animals in the Dominica forests. Survey leaders to ensure that volunteers do not pick up or handle any snakes or wildlife unless under direct supervision. Survey leaders to ensure that groups stay away from any major hives or nests. If they do encounter them, group to be led calmly and quietly away from the nest and to move to a different survey plot. All volunteers to be advised to check their shoes and boots in the mornings for scorpions, and to always check the ground is clear before sitting down in the forest. M M Ensure students enter and exit any swimming location in an easily accessible place, with adequate hand holds if necessary. Staff and teachers to be supervising student swimming at any time. Swimming only allowed during the day time, and not at night. L H Only strong swimmers allowed to bathe in water deeper than head height. Staff and teachers to be supervising student swimming at any time. Swimming only allowed during the day time, and not at night. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 7
2017-08 Extreme Dominica Canyoning Experience This activity is provided by Extreme Dominica Ltd., are a reputable company with an exemplary safety record for providing canyoning experiences in Dominica. Extreme Dominica have completed their own risk assessments for their activities. This risk assessment supplements their own documents and is intended to act as an additional check to ensure that they are following their own standards. Travel to and from Extreme Dominica from research camps (road traffic accident) L H Vehicles will be inspected regularly to ensure that they are being maintained to a high standard, including tyres, breaks and lights. Operation Wallacea staff will enquire with Extreme Dominica at the start of the expedition about recent maintenance and checks carried out on the vehicles. Operation Wallacea staff will then perform their own visual checks on the vehicles each week when they arrive at the Research Centre. If any concerns are identified they will be raised with the driver and site manager and appropriate action agreed before students leave site. In the event that safety concerns are raised that cannot be resolved immediately the activity may be aborted and hopefully rescheduled once an alternative vehicle can be provided or after maintenance work has been completed. Staff will also be asked to report back on the competence and safety of the driver with any concerns being raised Medical problem for volunteer or staff member Falling or other injury during the canyoning activities immediately with the site manager and appropriate action being taken. M M An Extreme Dominica Vehicle will be available at all times. Hospital in Roseau is only 15 minutes drive from the Extreme Dominica Centre (and about 25 minutes drive from the Canyoning site), and is well equipped with English speaking staff. All volunteers to submit medical forms prior to arrival so that the site manager is aware of any allergies or medical problems. Volunteers with allergies to wasps or bees to be advised to carry epipens with them. M M Prior to entering the canyon, all participants complete a training course at the Extreme Dominica Centre. This course teaches the necessary rope techniques, footwork and methods to be used in the canyons. It also allows students to become comfortable with the equipment and build confidence. If any student is uncomfortable or if the staff have concerns about any individuals ability to complete the course safely this will be raised and the rest of the day aborted for that individual at that stage. All participants will be equipped with wetsuits, life jackets and helmets to provide protection. All students must wear closed toe footwear with good grip. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 8
Equipment failure L H All equipment is maintained and regularly checked by Extreme Dominica. Staff and students test and check the equipment before starting the activities as a standard part of the training course. Equipment all has standard safety features built in to reduce the risk of complete failure. Drowning L H All participants are required to wear life jackets during this activity. Students must remain with the group and never proceed into the canyons without the Extreme Dominic guides. Students will be supervised at all times. Flash floods in the canyon L H Extreme Dominica will pay close attention to recent rainfall and river levels throughout the expedition. If there has been heavy rain within the 24 hrs prior to a scheduled session, Extreme Dominica will assess the flow of the river and make the decision to proceed or abort the session. Extreme Dominica will also pay close attention to local weather forecasts on the day of each session. If heavy rain is forecast the session will be aborted. If a group has already entered the Canyon and unexpected heavy rain begins the Extreme Dominica guides will assess the situation and decide whether to abort the session or not. 2017-09 Whale watching and boat transfer to Fort Shirley Slipping when embarking or when onboard the whale watching boat L M Volunteers to be told to walk carefully and slowly when embarking the boat and when moving around during the trip. Falling overboard L M Life vests and emergency throw ropes are available and all volunteers to be supervised and briefed to not hang over the edge of the boat. Boat sinking L H Life vests are available, and the boat is equipped with VHF radios and a GPS tracker in case of emergencies. Sunburn and dehydration H L Ensure all volunteers are briefed and told to protect themselves from the sun, and to drink sufficient water. Extra water to be available on the boat. If motion sickness is known to be an issue for an individual then they will be advised to take sea sickness tablets prior to the start of the transfer. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 9
2017-10 Fort Shirley and Dive Sites Slipping down stairs or falling from the walls of the Fort L M The fort is an archaeological restoration in progress which is open to the public, so there are areas where there is a significant drop between the restored wall and the ground below. All volunteers to be told to stay away from these drops, and not to run or play ball games in these areas. All volunteers to be briefed Mosquito bites leading to malaria, dengue fever or chikungunya on the risks of running up and down the stairs and told to use handrails where available. M M Malaria is not present in Dominica but three other mosquito borne diseases, Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya are present on the island. All participants to be instructed to cover up in the early morning and late afternoons, sleep under mosquito nets and wear DEET based insect repellent. Although currently malaria is not reported to be present in Dominica, students are advised to obtain up-to-date information from their doctor or travel clinic prior to the expedition and, if necessary, to take malaria prophylactic treatment. Scorpions or other wildlife L M Staff and volunteers to be advised to knock out shoes before putting them on to check for scorpions, and not to walk around bare foot. Fire L H Ensure there are fire extinguishers in the main building and buckets with sand/water distributed around the site. Ensure that staff are trained in the fire and evacuation to a safe point procedure. Everyone to be briefed upon arrival about fire protocols and evacuation procedures. No smoking to be allowed in any building. Dive sites not being appropriate for in-water activities Excessive drinking or inappropriate behaviour Insufficient communication facilities L H Experienced dive staff check each of the confined water dive sites to ensure there is no current, appropriate bottom composition, and a shallow drop-off. Maximum depth is to be less than 3m for confined water dive sites. Each site is checked pre-season and pre-dive for its suitability in terms of depth, topography, salient marine organisms, current, etc. Any site that represents a risk to students is taken off the list of suitable dive sites until it can be reviewed by senior dive staff. L M No alcohol to be consumed on-site at the Fort, or by any expedition participants under the age of 18. All participants to be briefed on suitable conduct upon arrival. This is particularly important as the Fort is open to members of the public. L H Cell phone reception is available all around the Fort, and at each of the boat accessed dive sites. Each site to be checked for signal prior to the season. VHF radio communications available between the boat and the base in Portsmouth so as to be able to communicate an emergency should the cell phone signal fail. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 10
Injury or illness requiring treatment Diver with decompression sickness requiring a recompression chamber M M The dive centre to hold a comprehensive First Aid kit to treat most minor conditions and to provide life support facilities in the case of a dive related incident (e.g. intravenous fluid supplies, oxygen, pain relief etc). More seriously injured patients to be transported to the hospital in Portsmouth. A 24 hour emergency telephone line with English speaking doctors is available through the insurance bought by Operation Wallacea volunteers and this number can be contacted by the cell phones L VH A recompression chamber is available at Roseau, approximately 1hr by road from the dive sites. Sufficient oxygen supplies are available to cover the time from the patient first showing signs of decompression sickness to arriving at the recompression chamber. These supplies include small bottles of oxygen on each of the dive boats and trained personnel on each dive boat in the administration of oxygen. The 24 hour contact number for the recompression chamber to be held at the Fort in case of emergency. Swimming L L Swimming is only allowed in designated areas and under supervision from a staff member able to perform a water rescue if needed. No swimming is allowed after dark. 2017-11 Diving and snorkelling Tanks falling off dive benches. L M Ensure all staff and volunteers are instructed to lay tanks down onto dive benches at all times when they are not holding the tank. Falling over whilst getting into & out of dive boat with equipment. M H Make sure that all staff and volunteers hand equipment to boat handlers with care and make sure it is secure in the boat. Staff and volunteers should take care when getting into and out of Falling out of dive boat whilst going to dive sites. Hitting head when backwards roll into water at the dive sites or tipping over boat on entry dive boats at the Jetty to avoid falling or slipping. L H Ensure all staff and volunteers are instructed not to wear weight belts on dive boats, and stay seated at all times. Make sure staff and volunteers are instructed to sit evenly on each side of the boat. L M Ensure all staff and volunteers are told to check behind them and let the boat leader know that they are going into the water. Ensure the divers enter the water in an agreed order so that the boat is not unbalanced. Ensure divers are aware of the possibility of the boat hitting their head when hanging onto the mooring rope. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 11
Decompression sickness L VH Ensure all diving procedures are followed completely. Limit dives to 2 per day, maximum depth 18m for survey dives, and maximum depth of 30m for pleasure dives advanced divers or equivalent only. Maximum dive time of 50 minutes with a 5 minute stop at 5m before surfacing for all dives >10m. Ensure that the dive procedures are audited every month throughout the season. Ensure that all boats carry oxygen supplies and that there are sufficient oxygen supplies at the base camp to continue treating the patient throughout the period of the evacuation. Ensure that there are qualified staff who can administer oxygen. There is a recompression chamber at Roseau. Being hit by boat on surfacing L VH Surface slowly with arm raised and slowly turning to check for boats. Being left in water at the end of a dive L M Ensure all dive boat leaders operate the boat roster system for each dive. Make certain that the dive safety procedures are audited every month throughout the season. Ensure that all pairs of divers have a SMB with them for inflation at the end of the dive. Ensure that the boat roster is completed every dive. Becoming separated from buddy L M Ensure that all staff and volunteers are trained in the lost diver procedure. Note visibility at all sites is very good and trainee divers are in a maximum group size of 8 with a Dive Instructor and a Divemaster in the water with them at all times. Qualified divers are groups of 6 or less with a Divemaster in the water with them. Being carried away by currents or to greater depths by down currents L H Ensure that risk assessments are completed for each dive site and used by all staff in dive planning. Ensure that the Dive Leader checks the conditions on the day before the group enter the water. Barotraumas M M All staff and volunteers informed of risk of barotraumas when diving and the safe equalisation procedure, which includes aborting the dive if equalisation is not possible. All staff and volunteers to be informed that they should not dive with an upper respiratory tract infection. All staff and volunteers to be informed of the dangers of using decongestants when diving. Ensure all volunteers and staff are informed of the serious danger of breath holding whilst scuba diving. Being hit by a boat whilst snorkelling L VH Ensure that all staff and volunteers are told that they must snorkel in pairs or in a group and with an inflated SMB with him/her to increase the visibility of the group. There must be a Divemaster in the water or on shore watch for each group of 6 snorkelers. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 12
Being swept out to sea by offshore currents Being stung when wading at the start and end of the snorkel L M Ensure that all staff and volunteers are told that if they encounter a strong current to abort the snorkel. L M Ensure that all snorkelers put their fins on as soon as they are in the water and that they do not wade out without anything on their feet. 2017-12 Hurricane and severe weather risks Hurricane or severe weather warnings M H The Country Manager to be responsible for monitoring weather conditions regularly. If the weather conditions are severe then in water activities to be cancelled and, if necessary, participants to be moved to an inland location. Last updated: 16 March 2017 Dominica Risk Assessment and Management 13