Standards and good practice in field activities
We champion safe, responsible, ethical and effective expeditions and field activities, developing standards and good practices for schools, universities and independent ventures.
The Society and its members are actively involved in a diverse range of field-based activities. We are committed to ensuring that all who participate in these activities do so in a safe, responsible, ethical and effective manner, as outlined in our health and safety policy for field-based activities.
As such, we have a long history of leading and facilitating good practice development across the spectrum of expeditions and field activities. This has particularly benefited those operating in schools, youth settings, higher education (for both teaching and research), and independent and commercial expedition contexts.
While the scope of this work has covered many aspects of field operations, recent focal areas have included safety management training and professional development for venture provider staff, research and advisory groups for expedition and wilderness medicine professionals, and inclusive expedition practice.
Standards, guidance, and benchmarking frameworks
Our institutional expertise is formalised in numerous standards and guidance frameworks, both with Society staff and expert members serving on the technical committees responsible for developing this guidance, and with the Society in a convening and consensus-building role:
- British Standard BS 8848: This specification details requirements for the provision of visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside the UK.
- International Standard ISO 31031: This international standard, newly published in 2024, helps ensure safer youth and educational trips overseas.
- USHA Guidance on Health and Safety in Fieldwork and Travel (2018): Developed by the UK Universities Safety and Health Association and the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association, this guidance identifies good practice within the Higher Education sector and aligns with BS 8848.
- OEAP National Guidance: Created by the UK Outdoor Education Advisors Panel, this guidance supports local authorities, schools, and academy groups in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in developing good practice for off-site visits, outdoor learning, and learning outside the classroom.
- Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) Quality Badge: Developed by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, this badge is recommended by the UK Department for Education for schools when selecting external providers of educational visits.
- National Occupational Standards (NOS): A suite of UK occupational standards developed by SkillsActive, providing benchmarks for the Expedition Leadership and Management sector.
Ongoing initiatives and working groups
Off-Site Safety Management (OSSM)
The foundational field safety training course for off-site visit coordinators and expedition leaders.
BS 8848: the British Standard for overseas ventures
The definitive framework for operations, field safety and risk management in ventures and activities outside the UK.
ISO 31031: Managing risk for youth and school trips
This new international standard, developed with Society expertise, helps ensure safer youth and educational trips overseas.
Expedition and Wilderness Medicine Advisory Group
This working group supports the advancement of medical knowledge in remote and challenging environments.
Inclusive Expeditions Working Group
Learn how we promote and champion purposeful, impactful, and educational expeditions for people of all backgrounds and abilities.