Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• Requires that the primary responsibility for the management of health and safety for members of staff and students while on offsite work lies with Imperial College.
• Requires that the Imperial College also has a duty in respect of students and non-employees.
• Requires that all employees have a responsibility to follow instructions and act sensibly to protect their own health and safety and that of others.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Requires Imperial College to conduct a risk assessment of the activity.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007

An organization is guilty of the offence of corporate manslaughter (corporate homicide in Scotland) if the way in which its activities are managed or organized by its senior management causes a person’s death, and amounts to a gross breach of a relevant duty of care owed by the organization to the deceased

UCEA Guidance on Health and Safety in Fieldwork (2011)

The Universities, Colleges and Employers Association guidance is published jointly with USHA.  This document provides a framework for establishing policies and procedures that enable staff, students and other participants in higher education institutions to undertake fieldwork safely.

Individuals and Imperial College are also subject to the laws of the countries in which visits take place

Any criminal prosecution or civil action may also be brought in that jurisdiction either independently or as well as in the UK.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements can have serious consequences for both Imperial College and individuals. Potential sanctions include fines and imprisonment, and any legal action can result in reputational damage.