Field safety BS 8848

What is BS 8848?

BS 8848 is the British Standard for organising and managing visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside the UK.

The Society was on the BSI technical committee that first drafted the standard in 2007, and was involved in its revision. The current edition of the standard was published in April 2014.

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 a wide variety of ventures. These include adventurous and educational activities abroad including university and academic fieldwork, gap year experiences, adventure holidays, charity challenges and research expeditions.

Download the BSI Consumer guide to BS 8848 to learn more about what the British Standard and check if a venture you are hoping to take part in is likely to be following safe practice.

The new standard is available to purchase, or to view a copy of BS 8848:2014, contact your local public or university library.