This safety bulletin is for internal use only and is intended for all U of A field researchers who are presently in the field or plan to go in the field this fall. Principal Investigators should share the bulletin wilh all members of their research team in the field.
The University of Alberta is requiring that all field researchers assess their field research programs to ensure that all safety requirements are current and in place.
If you are undertaking research activities in the field or will be undertaking field activities this fall, you are required to do the following:
Field Activity Plans - As a research team, review your field activity plan in detail, making sure you are using the most up-to-date template (December 2022). All tasks that are planned for the field must be listed, all anticipated hazards identified, controls/mitigations stated (see section 3 of the template) and that all information is up to date. Hazard assessments must include the controls that are being put into place (i.e. additional PPE, safety equipment, training, working alone, communication check ins, etc). Make sure all research participants have been informed of the hazards, acknowledge and understand the controls listed. The Principal Investigator has the responsibility to ensure that all the above actions are taken.
Hazard Assessment in changing conditions: Identify existing and potential hazards before work begins at the work site. Conditions in the field can change rapidly. It is recommended that Research groups hold daily safety meetings to determine and log if anything in the field research setting has changed. If new hazards have been identified and if additional controls are required the hazard assessment should be amended before work commences. This information is to be recorded in the field safety log books. All participants in the group are to be made aware and understand any changes in hazards and required controls .When you return from the field, update your Field Activity Plan with these new hazards and controls that you wrote in your log book.
Adjusting for changing weather conditions in the field: Based on changing weather conditions the research group is to determine if the risk has changed and assess if planned activities can go ahead or additional controls are required. Determine what “Go” or “No-Go” conditions look like prior to the field activity (i.e. winds higher than 50km or temperatures above 30C or below -30C, changes in the condition of the terrain). Once these thresholds have been established they should not be deviated from. See HSE’s Thermal Stress Program for more advice about cold or heat stress thresholds.
Working near bodies of water: If applicable, this must be identified as a hazard in your Field Activity Plan and controlled with the appropriate PPE (i.e PFDs, drysuits, hip waders, etc) depending on the activities being conducted.
Safety Restraints - Ensure that any hazard requiring fall protection, travel restraint or similar safety devices are listed in your hazard assessment and appropriate control measures are being used. Ensure that all such equipment is assessed, is fully operational and workers are trained on the operation of the equipment.
Fatigue and stress in the workplace: Working in the field often requires physical work, longer working hours and dealing with decisions workers may not normally face. It is important to recognize that fatigue and stress are hazards. To control these hazards, review and utilize the following resources:
Training- Based on the hazards identified, ensure that all workers have completed the mandatory as well as any additional training, that training is current and training records are maintained and accessible. If you require refresher training on completing the FAP, there is a FAP Instruction Sheet and other resources found here.
Emergency Response Plans - Within your Field Activity Plan, section 4 establishes the requirement for an Emergency Response Plan. Make sure that it is current, that all workers have access to the emergency plan, that you review the emergency plan with all workers and they are aware of the actions to take in response to an emergency, that emergency contacts are identified and that contact information is current.
Personal Protective Equipment and other Field Research Equipment- Make sure that all personal protective equipment and field equipment is in good working condition.
Communication Devices - Make sure that all GPS/InReach/Satellite phones are working properly and all participants know how to use them. All communication devices used for University research should be listed in the Field Activity Plan (section 11).
For additional information on safety requirements or inspections regarding field research work, please contact fieldoff@ualberta.ca.
