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The following page contains important information regarding the booking, payment and participation on a Discovering Fossils and JuniorGeo fossil trip. We want you to enjoy your fossil hunt and most of all ensure your safety throughout the event. Please take time to read the information carefully and thoroughly.

Fossil hunting is an exciting, educational and enriching experience, enjoyed throughout the year by many people of all ages and levels of experience. To help ensure your day is enjoyed fully it's important to understand the location that you (and those who accompany you or attend at your invitation) plan to visit.

For the majority of time, when undertaken sensibly and with knowledge of the personal risks, fossil hunting is reasonably safe; however it is not possible to eliminate all risk (as is also the case with many other recreational activities too).

Productive fossil collecting locations occur in areas with high rates of erosion - mostly due to natural forces, but sometimes by the actions of people. In these areas you're likely to encounter unpredictable terrain including, but not limited to: falling rocks, slippery surfaces, areas prone to isolation by the incoming tide, steep drops and unstable surfaces. In extreme cases these hazards could result in very serious injury or death.

We promise to make a reasonable effort to help you (the individual or organisation acting on behalf of yourself and/or others) understand the risks. If you (or any persons accompanying you or attending at your invitation) have a medical or physical condition that may heighten personal risk, you must discuss this (in writing) with the event organisers prior to attending.

Fossil hunting in coastal areas

A large proportion of Discovering Fossils & JuniorGeo events take place on the coast, as these locations are more likely to offer a good opportunity of finding fossils and stunning scenery, after all fossil hunting is about enjoying the great outdoors.

Coastal areas vary greatly depending on the rock type and natural forces affecting them.  Typically the sea has a large role to play in the shape and character of the terrain, which might include cliffs, rocky beaches, mudflows, stretches of sand, rock pools and much more. It's important to understand the terrain you're likely to encounter during your fossil trip with us. To help you, we've outlined some (not all) of the common features and associated dangers you're likely to encounter in these areas.

Cliffs

Cliffs are liable to partial or large scale collapse. Always keep away from the cliff base and be vigilant for falling rocks from above or loose rocks underfoot.

A cliff is a natural or man-made rock face that extends vertically or steeply from its base to its top. The cliff may extend uninterrupted for many miles or be separated by partial or complete collapses. Most naturally formed cliffs occur on the coast where the bedrock meets the erosive forces of the sea; the cliff may tower hundreds of meters above sea level.

Cliffs are among the most dangerous locations to collect fossils due to the unpredictable stability of the face. The following dangers should be fully read and understood before you consider visiting an area in proximity to cliffs.

Danger: falling rocks

Cliff collapses can occur suddenly and without warning, and may contain falling rocks weighing several tonnes each.

Description: You are likely to encounter vertical or near-vertical rock faces. The rock is highly liable to partial or large-scale collapse without warning; individual or multiple rocks of varying sizes can fall at great speed to the underlying areas.

Personal risk: Impact to the body and head from falling rocks.

Precautions: Keep well clear of the foot of the rock face – a distance of 8m+ is recommended. You may also like to consider the use of a hard hat.

Danger: steep drops

Many coastal areas require passage in close proximity to steep drops.  Always keep well clear of the edge and walk calmly and slowly.

Description: At the cliff-top you are likely to encounter vertical or near vertical rock faces many meters in height. There are usually no warnings that you are approaching a vertical drop.

Personal risk: Falling from height onto rocks below.

Precautions: Keep a safe distance from the rock face and always maintain a safe walking pace.

Beaches

When fossil collecting in coastal areas the majority of time will be spent on the beach (the area usually between the high and low water mark). In addition to keeping a safe distance from the cliff base (if present), participants should also be aware of the following dangers.

Danger: deep mud

Deep mud can easily make it difficult or in a worse case scenario impossible to escape without help. Make sure you keep clear of deep mud.

Description: Regardless of the prevailing weather conditions, mud may occur in high volumes and depth. The surface may appear dry and cracked, but obscure soft, sticky mud beneath.

Personal risk: Becoming stuck or drowning.

Precautions: Try to avoid muddy areas. Look for evidence of mud depth and if in doubt use a stick to test the stability of the surface ahead of you.  It's always best not to venture away from the group, instead try to remain close to at least one other person and carry a mobile phone in case you get into difficulties.

Danger: rocky terrain

Coastal areas are typically rocky. Take your time and walk calmly and carefully to avoid twisting your ankle or falling over.

Description: The terrain around the cliffs may vary from small loose rocks to large boulders weighing many tonnes. These may have slippery surfaces and narrow spaces between them.

Personal risk: Twisted ankles and/or injury resulting from slipping or tripping over rocks.

Precautions: Move around the cliff area at a sensible pace (not running) and always wear suitable footwear such as walking or safety boots. If wearing wellies avoid navigating loose or slippery rocks.

Danger: rising tide

High tide occurs around UK coastal locations every 12 hours. The tide will recover beaches with a low gradient very quickly.

Description: Coastlines are subject to rising and falling tides (high water occurs once every 12 hours). The rising water often isolates sections of the coast and may block your path.

Personal risk: Drowning and/or hypothermia from prolonged exposure.

Precautions: Always make a note of the tide times over the next 24 hours. In an emergency you should estimate 6 hours between low and high water (unless indicated otherwise).

Please note there may be other dangers present within coastal areas that are not included above; weather conditions in particular may further heighten the extent of the risk.

Fossil hunting in quarries

Quarries are large manmade excavations into the ground, usually to extract minerals or aggregate for construction.

A quarry is a large man made excavation in the ground, usually the result of removing large quantities of rock and sediment for commercial use. If the quarry is described as ‘working’, it means the site is being quarried using digging equipment and possibly explosives on a continuous or unpredictable basis.

Quarries can be dangerous locations to collect fossils due to the nature of the terrain and equipment operating within them. The following list of dangers should be fully read and understood before you consider entering a quarry. All dangers pose a threat to life in the most extreme circumstances.

Danger: falling rocks

Rocks may fall from the quarry face (similar to cliffs in coastal areas) and also machinery used to transport materials for sorting.

Description: Within the quarry you are likely to encounter vertical or near vertical rock faces. The rock is highly liable to partial or large-scale collapse without warning. Individual or multiple rocks of varying sizes can fall at great speed to the underlying areas. There may also be a risk of rocks falling from machinery used to transport materials for sorting.

Personal risk: Impact to the body and head from falling rocks.

Precautions: Keep well clear of the foot of the rock face and machinery, and always wear a hardhat and high visibility jacket.

Danger: machinery

Quarry machinery may or may not be in operation during the fossil hunt, in either case avoid getting too close.

Description: Heavy digging and transportation equipment is likely to be in use in and around the quarry. These vehicles manoeuvre rapidly and may offload or dislodge large rocks. It's likely that in certain positions you will be invisible to the machine operator.

Personal risk: Crushed and/or knocked down.

Precautions: Keep well clear of all quarry equipment whether it appears operational or not and always wear a hardhat and high visibility jacket.

Danger: deep water

It's common for water to accumulate at the base of the quarry; these pools may be many meters deep.

Description: Lakes or pools of water frequently accumulate in the base of the quarry. Water depth may descend rapidly to several meters. Rocks and sharp objects may be submerged beneath the surface.

Personal risk: Drowning, hypothermia, injury from contact with submerged objects.

Precautions: Keep clear of the water’s edge and any ridges immediately above the water.

Danger: steep drops

Quarry faces are often shaped into vertical or near vertical faces.  From the higher areas of the quarry these steep drops can pose a potential hazard.

Description: Within the quarry you are likely to encounter vertical or near vertical rock faces many meters in height. There are unlikely to be any warnings that you are approaching a vertical drop.

Personal risk: Falling from height onto rocks below.

Precautions: Keep a safe distance from the rock face and always maintain a safe walking pace (not running) within the quarry.

Please note there may be other dangers present within the quarry that are not included above; weather conditions in particular may further heighten the extent of the risk.

Other common dangers while fossil hunting

In the previous section we highlighted the common dangers encountered in the locations themselves.  In following section attention is directed to the dangers resulting from the actions of individuals (including yourself) and those who accompany you or attend at your invitation, as well as other members of the group and members of the public in the vicinity.

Danger: using a hammer and chisel

Bruised and cut fingers are perhaps the most common injury sustained when using a hammer and chisel; take your time and don't hit it too hard.

Description: When hammering rocks it’s possible that the hammer strike may be misjudged, leading to bruised or broken fingers.

Personal risk: Severe damage to fingers and hands (skin and bones).

Precautions: Keep fingers well clear of the hammer and do not rush. 

Danger: rock splinters

Always wear protective eyewear while hammering rocks. Splinters of rock frequently fly for several feet from impacted rocks.

Description: When hammering rocks it’s likely that very sharp fragments / splinters will fly from the surface towards your face. This may also occur in close proximity to other people hammering.

Personal risk: Severe eye trauma or blindness.

Precautions: Always wear safety glasses when in proximity to rocks being hammered.

 

Terms and conditions for participants

 

YOU MUST BE 18 OR OVER TO REGISTER FOR DISCOVERING FOSSILS AND JUNIORGEO EVENTS. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ARE WELCOME WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY A REGISTERED ADULT WHO ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SAFETY.

Safety: The following notice is provided to clarify that you are responsible for your own personal safety and exclude Discovering Fossils & JuniorGeo and the event organisers and all associated third parties from any liability in the event of an accident or injury during a fossil hunting event. By attending a fossil hunt organised by Discovering Fossils & JuniorGeo you understand and agree to take complete responsibility for your own safety and those that accompany you and also those around you, including the general public, whether they are part of the fossil hunt or not.

Neither Discovering Fossils or JuniorGeo, or any of the organisers accept responsibility or liability for your personal safety. During events we will offer information and personal experience relating to finding fossils only. We are unable to provide a formal risk assessment prior or during the event.

There are many potential hazards in the locations visited, which could result in serious injury or even death. Discovering Fossils and JuniorGeo and its organisers are neither qualified or experienced to offer professional safety guidance. Please read through the list of common hazards we have identified from our own personal experience, which you should consider alongside your own experience and research before attending one of our fossil hunts. If you have any questions relating to safety please ask us prior to attending the fossil hunt.

Personal property: Discovering Fossils and JuniorGeo and the organisers and all associated third parties accept no responsibility for personal property belonging to any individual attending an organised fossil hunt. You understand and agree that any personal property used or carried with you, left in cars or at any other location, whether or not it is suggested you do so by the organisers, is done so at your own personal risk. You understand and agree that should your actions, or the actions of anyone that accompanies you, cause damage to the property of the organisers, any third parties, the land owner (if applicable) or another member of the fossil hunt group, or the general public, that you are wholly and solely responsible.

Booking: Please use our online booking system to reserve the required number of adult and child places. Following receipt of your payment you will automatically receive a confirmation email of your purchase. Final details of the event including meeting times and places will be sent to all participants prior to the event. If you haven't received final details within two weeks of the event please contact us.

Cancellations and refunds: Discovering Fossils & JuniorGeo reserve the right to cancel or reschedule any fossil hunt at any point in time prior to the original date specified. In the event of a cancellation or change of date, all attendees will be notified immediately via email and offered priority places at an alternative date or a complete refund (at our discretion). Neither Discovering Fossils, the organisers or associated third parties accept any responsibility for any additional costs or inconvenience (including but not limited to transport and accommodation) resulting from cancellation.

You may cancel your places on the fossil hunt at any point prior to the event. A refund will only be offered if you notify Discovering Fossils or JuniorGeo by email no less than 7 days before the event. All refunds are subject to a 30% administration fee which will be deducted from the sum due.

Due to the nature of fossil hunting outdoors, we cannot guarantee favourable weather conditions at the onset or during the fossil hunt. We are unable to offer refunds for unfavourable weather conditions unless they are deemed too severe by the fossil hunt organisers prior to the start and the event is subsequently cancelled and/or rescheduled. As per the above safety conditions, we are unable to accept any responsibility for participation during unfavourable or severe weather conditions. By attending the event you agree to continually assess the weather and environmental conditions yourself (on behalf of yourself and for those who accompany you) and make a personal judgment whether to proceed with any of the fossil hunt organisers, third parties or other fossil hunt attendees.

If you have any questions regarding safety or the conditions of booking, please contact us.

 

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