Transcript Field Safety Lecture

Field Safety Lecture
(for student participants)
A qualitative assessment of risks (and
appropriate behaviour) during field trips or
field schools.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Safety is important.
Field activities are normally safe, but accidents can happen and
consequences can be potentially serious. Consequences can involve
medical evacuations. If working in a remote location, even a minor
injury (e.g., twisted knee), can involve a complicated evacuation
procedure involving helicopters or aircraft.
If you see something that you perceive to be unsafe it is YOUR
responsibility to point it out to the person/people in an unsafe
position and to the faculty member or person-in-charge who is
responsible.
If a safety concern is not addressed by field participants or by the
person-in-charge, the Head of Department should be contacted.
Instructors will insist on safe behaviour from all participants.
Students must follow the directions of the person-in-charge and field
supervisors at all times.
Any student considered by the person-in-charge to be a risk to
themselves or others while on field school may be expelled from the
field activity and banned from attending future field classes.
Safe practices and behaviour - Walk, don't run in the field; assess the
ground you're traversing over and behave accordingly. Be aware of
potential hazards when working in the outdoors.
Personal responsibility - Know your limits and act within them. Do
not participate in actions that you feel are beyond your
physical/mental abilities. There is no penalty for non-participation.
Be aware and be careful not to succumb to group pressure to behave
in a manner beyond your limits. ABOVE ALL ELSE, USE YOUR
COMMON SENSE.
Probably the most dangerous activity undertaken during fieldwork is
driving.
Drivers must be sharp and alert.
Driving when tired, under the influence of alcohol or other drugs
significantly increases the risk of an accident.
Passengers must also take responsibility to ensure safety in
vehicles by highlighting dangerous activities such as speeding,
driving under the influence of drink etc.. initially to the driver and
later to the person-in-charge or the Department Head.
Geological fieldwork commonly involves study in remote and rough
terrane:
Do not climb cliffs
Avoid cliff edges
Take care on scree slopes
Take care on grass slopes particularly after rain
Take care on coastal sections close to the surf zone
Always wear a hard hat below cliffs - look up before approaching!!
Always wear a hard hat in tunnels, caves and mines
Always let someone know where you intend working
Weather can seriously exacerbate the risks inherent to fieldwork.
Make sure that you are appropriately equipped for the weather.
Take waterproof and windproof clothing
Take appropriate food and water (to include emergency reserves)
Take appropriate sun protection (e.g. hat, sun block and
sunglasses)
Wildlife is a major hazard in many parts of the world. Thoroughly
research the habitat and behavior wild animals in the field area.
Be aware of dangerous plants - thorny or toxic.
Carry appropriate anti-venom or firearms as appropriate and with
suitable training/licensing.
Beware of aggressive domesticated animals (e.g. dogs) and avoid
likely habitats of dangerous animals (e.g. snakes or scorpions under
rocks); beware of potential carriers of rabies in regions where rabies
is present (dogs, foxes, bats etc.)
Avoid direct skin contact with dangerous plants (use appropriate
clothing)
Beware of hunting seasons and the activities of hunters - wear high
visibility clothing
Medical information forms must be up to date and submitted to the
person-in-charge before departing for the field -
Do not go into the field if you are feeling unwell - illness
exacerbates all risks in the field
Should you become ill in the field let the person-in-charge know
immediately
You should carry your own first aid kid and personal medication
with you in the field at all times
Above all else, use your own good judgment and common
sense to work safely in the field. Protect yourself.
Safety-related documents to review or complete (i) The person-in-charge has filled out a Field Activities Safety
Awareness form that checks off potential field hazards related to this
field activity. This form is available as a web link for all participants
to access and review.
(ii) The person-in-charge has completed an Emergency Plan form
available as a web link for all participants to access and review.
(iii) The person-in-charge will complete an Incident Report Form if
safety is significantly compromised or an accident occurs.
(iv) Trip participants must complete a Declaration of Informed Consent
and submit the form to the person-in-charge prior to departure.
(v) Trip participants must complete a Medical Information form and
submit the form to the person-in-charge. The form will be shredded
when the field activity concludes.