Field Safety Plans
Field Safety Quick Links
This program provides information regarding field research and educational activities conducted by university personnel. Policies, procedures and guidelines are also offered to assist with pre-planning.
Field Research Safety Program
Additional Resources
Be sure to check out these university resources before traveling abroad.
Travel Preparation and Safety Abroad from Global Education Office
International Programs/Travel from Risk Management and Insurance
Center for Disease Control - Traveler's Health
EHS' Occupational Safety and Health Program for Animal Handlers (provides guidance on zoonotic diseases, animal-related allergies, and fact sheets on a variety of domestic animals)
Travel vaccinations may be needed to protect your health and/or may be required by the country to which you are traveling.
Students who are studying abroad or who are receiving course credit, and employees who are traveling for non-research related activities, will need to arrange their own vaccinations. You should determine what vaccinations are recommended for where you are traveling using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. Vaccinations may be available through the Schiffert Health Center or the Virginia Department of Health – New River Valley District at 540-585-3300. You will be responsible for all costs associated with these vaccines.
Employees who are performing field research and students who are working under an approved protocol and who are not receiving course credit may be eligible to receive vaccinations through Environmental Health and Safety at no cost. Please complete the EHS Medical Survey so that this determination can be made.
Please note that it may take a month or longer to receive all required vaccinations, depending on what you need to receive, so plan accordingly!
Extreme weather conditions can drastically affect research in the field, and place lives in danger in certain circumstances. Weather condictions can vary greatly in a region and change quickly. More frequent and intense weather events (e.g. hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, etc.) can have significant impact on research activities. Being aware of and prepared for potential severe weather events in the vicinity of field operations can save time, data/specimens, equipment, and lives. Plan to have access to local and regional weather conditions in some manner, and when working in severe heat or cold environments, have a plan for prevention as well as medical response actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Virginia Tech Pesticide Programs (VTPP) provide pesticide safety information, training, and educational resources to pesticide applicators, Extension agents, and the public.
In addition, the Office of Pesticide Programs under Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) provides certification and registration services.
Yes. All relevant state and federal boating laws must be observed. Appropriate licenses and boat registrations must be obtained. Personal floatation devices are required for all persons on each boat.
Virginia boating laws are available at Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Yes. You must abide by all state and federal laws, including any training or certification requirements.
No. Only staff, students, and approved volunteers authorized by the principal investigator may assist with fieldwork. This includes researchers or other colleagues from other institutions.
Equipment that may be contaminated with hazardous materials must be cleaned by the user/owner before asking anyone outside the group to service, move, or pick-up for surplus sale. The Equipment Decontamination Form is used to prepare items for handling by workers including service personnel, moving teams and Surplus Property staff.
Working alone is strongly discouraged, particularly when remote or hazardous locations, high-risk activities, or other unusual conditions are involved.
In situations where solitary work is deemed necessary and unavoidable, a stringent code of practice must be established to address worker competency, procedures for regular reporting, emergency procedures, and other precautions and procedures appropriate for the type of activities involved.
All injuries incurred during fieldwork must be reported to Virginia Tech within 24 hours (or as soon as possible if in remote locations) via the Employer's Accident Report. Any illness or exposure that is related to fieldwork must also be reported in the same manner.
Any individual member of a fieldwork team may refuse to participate in any activitiy which they feel may endanger their health and safety, or that of another person, at any time. The situation should be brought to the team leader's attention, and/or the prinicipal investigator.
Individuals may also reach out to Environmental, Health & Safety for guidance.
Contact Information
Robin McCall-Miller, Occupational Safety Program Manager
Phone: 540-231-2341
Email: rmmiller@vt.edu