BS8848 British Standard

The British Standard for overseas expeditions and fieldwork. BS 8848: a specification for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside the UK was first published in April 2007.

The RGS-IBG was among the organisations on the BSI technical committee that drafted the standard. A new draft of the standard will be available for consultation in June 2013.

What is it for?

The standard aims to reduce risk from injury or illness and provides those that comply with the standard with a way of being able to demonstrate that they are following good practice to manage the venture safely. 

BS 8848 specifies operational requirements for organisers of adventurous and educational activities abroad including university and academic fieldwork, gap year experiences, adventure holidays, charity challenges and research expeditions.

The standard is available to purchase, or to view a copy of BS 8848, contact your local public library.

Download the BSI Parents Guide to BS 8848 (PDF) to check if a venture you (or your children) are applying to take part in is likely to be following safe practice.

Update Conference:
Health and Safety in Fieldwork, Expeditions and Adventure Travel

On Monday 10 June 2013, the Society will be hosting a one-day conference to provide an overview and discussion of changes in guidance to promoting safety in adventurous activities, fieldwork and expeditions in UK and overseas

Compliance workshops

Bespoke compliance workshops can also be arranged on request please contact Geography Outdoors