NEW Safety Requirements for the 2024 Field Research Season
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Set aside some extra time for safety this term. We are enhancing field safety and risk management at the U of A with new documentation and training requirements for all field research - starting March 18. This mandatory training for the Principal Investigator and all members of the research group will be a combination of eLearning and in-person sessions to explore and achieve excellence in fieldwork safety preparation and in-field controls.
2024 Field Safety+ enhancements affect
Field Activity Plans
Daily Field Safety Log Books
Risk Matrix/Approval Process/Central Repository for Field Research Documents
Field Research Training
What to expect when
March 18: A 2024 Addendum to be attached to the Field Activity Plan (FAP) and a revised risk matrix will be available on the HSE/FRO webpage.
Between March 18 and 29: All U of A field researchers will be required to complete two to three hours of eLearning sessions. Further updates will be released in the coming month.
Between April 1 and 12: All U of A field researchers will be required to complete three hours of in-person sessions. More information to follow soon.
April 30: All new processes are expected to be in use by all researchers doing research off-campus.
For those that will be researching in-field before April 30:
The current FAP template can be used but please incorporate these enhanced elements into your field activities, reviewing them with each of the participants.
2024 Field Safety+ Initiative
Together, we are elevating health and safety as a core value in everything we do at the U of A. We tragically lost a member of our field research community in August 2023. The loss prompted an important review of the practices and protocols university researchers use before, during, and after conducting off-campus research. In 2024, the U of A is incorporating safety enhancements to support researchers in navigating the diverse risks and environments they may encounter in their field research. The 2024 Field Safety+ initiative is led by the Field Research Office and supported by a network of U of A field researchers, graduate students, and safety experts.
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Winners of the 2023 Field Research Annual Photo Contest
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First Place: Eamon Turner, Field Supervisor, Renewable Resources, ALES
"The Southern Rockies Watershed Project", Forest Hydrology Lab
Location: North York Creek, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta
People Depicted in the Photo: Taylor Haduk
Research Purpose: Develop a better understanding of connections between the climatic, hydrological, and ecological factors regulating this key headwater landscape
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Second Place: Marina Banuet Martinez, PhD candidate
Climate Change and Global Health Research Group, School of Public Health
Photo Credit: Carlos Dominguez Sanchez
Location: The Pacific Ocean, El Rosario, Baja California, Mexico
People Depicted in the Photo: Miguel Bracamontes (fishermen) and Arturo Hernandez (collaborator)
Research Purpose: FiNHCC (Fisher's Nutrition Health and Climate Change) project aims to understand how the impacts of climate change on the ocean can affect the nutrition, health, and well-being of small-scale fishing communities.
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Third Place: Rezvaneh Erfani Hossein Pour, PhD Candidate
Department of Sociology, ARTS
Dissertation Title: Politics of Hope: Social and Political Capacities of Environmental and Climate Activism in the Middle East Alberta
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Research Purpose: During Rezvanah's fieldwork in Istanbul, she attended public protests like this one to connect with and interview young climate activists who claim their future and the livability of the planet not only from their governments but from world leaders and corporations. She was fascinated by their bravery, boldness, and determination.
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Now that 2023 winners have been chosen, you can continue to take your great photos and submit them for the 2024 photo contest. The photograph will be selected by the Field Research Office Director, based on the following criteria:
■ Relevant to field research and depicting researchers in the field - 50%
■ Uniqueness - 25%
■ Photo Quality - 25%
Photo guidelines:
**Photos must be in JPEG format, no smaller than 300 dpi and no larger than 1500 dpi;
**Photos must be original work and may not infringe any third-party rights, including rights of privacy and publicity;
**The Field Research Office reserves the right to use any uploaded or content photo for any promotions or publications, including the right to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works from each submitted photograph in any media.
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Due to the snowfall precipitation that we received, a snowmobile course went ahead on January 16. Please email fieldoff@ualberta.ca if you use a snowmobile for your winter research and require training.
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A Wilderness First Aid course has been scheduled for February 17-19 (Sat, Sun, Mon). There are still a few spaces available. There will be more WFA courses held in late April or early May. Remember the pre-requisite of current Intermediate First Aid (previously known as Standard First Aid).
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FRO Equipment Rental Program
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We rent satellite phones, inReach devices, first aid kits, and AEDs at cost recovery prices. We do have a limited amount of phones activated so please give us 48 hours notice.
Sat Phones: $35.00 per week plus usage fees
InReach Devices: $25.00/week (15K plan) or $30/week (Unlimited data plan )
First Aid Kits: $6.00/week.
AEDs: free
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ACCESS TO SOUTH CAMPUS STORAGE LOT
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The South Campus Storage Lot (southwest of the Saville Centre) has storage containers and cages for storing combustibles and most field equipment is stored there.
All users of the lot must request access online.
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If you have any questions or require our advice on Field Activity Plans, hazard assessments, training, etc., please email fieldoff@ualberta.ca
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Changes to Firearms Policy
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The Firearms policy is being revised by UAPS under Facilities and Operations.
Mandatory annual firearms training (hands-on training from a third party) is being organized to take place in early March and early May. This will be required before any firearms are taken to the field. Please contact Robert Mills with UAPS for more information.
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RESOURCES/TRAINING - review each resource for links to related forms & information
Incident Lessons Learned* - Slip on Ice (December)
How-To Session resources:
Jan 11 - Visit from a Regulator…Now What? (slide deck + recording)
Dec 7 - Conducting a Worksite Inspection (slide deck + recording)
*Culture of Care Safety Action Plan initiatives
EVENTS/COURSES (HSE hosted events in green)
Thurs Feb 1 (11 a.m. to noon): How-To Safety Series: WCB Reporting, Simplified (HSE, Zoom)
Thurs Feb 1 (all day): Understanding Depression & Addressing Unhelpful Thinking Patterns (Student Services, Zoom)
Thurs Feb 8 (0900-1630): Recognize, Rest, Reset: Integrated Awareness + Well-being (HRHSE; Enterprise Square)
Thurs Feb 8 (1400-1530): Managing Stress (Student Services, Zoom)
Fri Feb 9 (1000-1100): Safety & a Pastry (HSE, Materials Management Building 2-25) - Bimonthly drop in opportunity to discuss safety with HSE representatives. Come with your questions, leave with a donut!
Wed Feb 14 (0900-1000): Opioid Awareness and Naloxone Training (VP F&O, Orion Room, SUB Basement)
OTHER
February is…
World Cancer Day (Feb 4): Learn about occupational cancer (CCOHS) | Review this Carcinogen Info Document for hazard assessment and control measures
Pink Shirt Day (Feb 28): Review U of A policy & procedure related to discrimination and harassment | Purchase a pink shirt from the bookstore
Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day (Feb 29): CCOHS workplace poster & infographic | Try an ergonomics self-assessment, take the Ergonomics eLearning course and review our DIY Ergonomics How-To session from Nov 9, 2023
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Field Research Office
Website
2-10 Materials Management Building
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2R3
HRHSE
Email: fieldoff@ualberta.ca
W 780-492-8981
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