Hi,
I do not have a good answer for this and I am well aware of the legal and
social framework for pair working.
However, we are at a time when fewer students are doing less field work and
it is clear that this impacts the acquisition of core skills for later life.
Also the discipline of problem solving on your own while developing "bush"
craft is I think seminal in the development of many of us.
The loss of this because of a societal drift to a misplaced attitude to
safety concerns me as a human being. The point that crossing the road is
much more dangerous is well made.
I applaud Durham's lead in their proposal to return to solo work for their
undergraduates.
Alan
-----Original Message-----
From: Tectonics & structural geology discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of John Whalley
Sent: 11 May 2005 13:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Student safety on field work
Paul (and any other interested parties)
This exact same question came up at the CHUGD meeting on Monday, prompted by
Prof Davidson from Durham where they are proposing to return to allowing
solo work for undergrads after a period of insisting on pairs. A straw poll
of the, roughly, 20 UK Departments who were represented at the meeting
showed a 50:50 split in the practice followed.
At Portsmouth we do allow solo work but only after the risk assessment,
undertaken by all students prior to project work, has demonstrated to our
satisfaction that the student has procedures in place to ensure safety
including daily checks, most commonly in the form of a "buddy" system.
Cheers
John
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John Whalley
Geoscience Pathways Programme Manager
List owner - geo-tectonics
(http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/geo-tectonics.html)
Tel +44 23 9284 2247 Fax +44 23 9284 2244
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth, PO1 3QL, UK Email- [log in to unmask]
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