24th February 2010, 05:29 PM
Of course you should have a risk assessment for the archaeological work you undertake, and most sites you work on will also have their own documentation - the construction side - will want you to read, comprehend, act on accordingly, and sign - permit to work is one I believe it's called, and it's seriously taken. As for calling the HSE, call your health and safety officer back at base first, they will want to be informed of the situation of course, and will be able to speak to your supervisor there and then. There are situations which look - and definitely are - full of risk, in archaeological work, sites that come to mind are the stepped trench evals through vast amounts of overburden, but with a good plan in front of you, and sitting down with people to hammer out how it is to be done safely, and writing down ALL the risks, and how they will be (not should) minimised, and EXPLAINING this to everyone BEFORE you get anywhere near the site itself, then a potentially dangerous situation can be made safe. And always think of the staff first, and stop people from putting themselves at risk to "get at" some nice bit of archaeology - it can wait.
As for pay bargaining, there's an established method for that, and it's via the union, to make it transparent and equitable. I believe employers are going to pay more in the future, and that's because archaeology's going to become more professional, more skilled - and more respectable (or should that be respected). And so it jolly well should!
As for pay bargaining, there's an established method for that, and it's via the union, to make it transparent and equitable. I believe employers are going to pay more in the future, and that's because archaeology's going to become more professional, more skilled - and more respectable (or should that be respected). And so it jolly well should!