Field Trips
Need for Field Trip Procedures
A supervisor in relation to a field activity is the person
who has the authority to influence or direct the actions of
students or staff members involved in the activity.
The supervisor has specific responsibilities to those people
under the requirements of the Occupational Health, Safety
and Welfare Act (1986).
If an adverse event occurs the supervisor must be able to
prove that they have fulfilled their responsibilities.
Following established procedures helps to provide such proof.
Field Trip Procedures
All areas should follow the University Field Trip Procedures and Guidelines.
Responsibilities of Supervisors
All persons – including academic staff
who supervise students undertaking field work - have an obligation
under the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act (1986)
to take reasonable care to ‘avoid adversely affecting
the health or safety of any other person through an act or
omission at work’.
This extends the common law duty of care obligation and applies
to all staff and students involved in University organised
field activities.
The responsibility of supervisors extends for the entire
duration of the field trip. That is, even if students are
given free time the supervisor has some responsibility to
ensure that the students are not involved in inherently dangerous
activities during that free time.
Last updated: 20 April 2007
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