Field Safety Plans

Field Research Safety Program Summary

Fieldwork consists of activities authorized by the university for the purpose of study, research, or teaching undertaken by faculty, staff, and students at a location outside of the local campus or workplace. Field activities may involve isolated or remote locations where access to emergency services is delayed, or where participants may be exposed to hazards related to weather, climate, wildlife, or terrain. Fieldwork may need to be reviewed by Environmental Health & Safety for safety and health hazards which may require training and/or services.

Each department conducting field research must ensure personnel are aware of related hazards, and that safe work practices and other necessary controls are implemented to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of injury or illness.

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Field Research Safety Program

Requirements

Travel Abroad

University Policy 1070 applies to any university-supported travel abroad for students, employees, and other approved participants. All employees and students traveling outside the 50 United States of America for university-supported purposes must follow the Global Education Office’s procedures to register their travel in the Global Travel Registry at least two weeks before their expected departure date, and should provide updates as additional information becomes available or changes occur during the trip, including cancellations and travel to additional countries.

You must also comply with the travel-related policies and procedures of the Virginia Tech Controller’s Office.  Finally, the university requires that all Virginia Tech faculty, staff, and documented representatives traveling internationally for business purposes enroll in the university-approved Global Travel Insurance.

Animal Handling

All research or instruction activities involving animals (including wild animals), requires an approved protocol from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Be prepared to complete all required IACUC training and submission of the protocol well in advance of the initiation of any activities.

Pathogens

All research and instruction involving pathogens, recombinant DNA, or human cell lines requires registration and approval from the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Be prepared to complete all required IBC training and submission of the protocol well in advance of the initiation of any activities.

Health and Safety

All work activities performed, regardless of location, must comply with Environmental Health and Safety’s programs and guidelines, or the laws and regulations of the country or locality, whichever are stricter.

Field Safety Plan

Departments must ensure that a project-specific Field Safety Plan is developed by the principal investigator/project manager or instructor prior to the start of fieldwork. Hazard-specific safety training and personal protective equipment may be required in some situations, as well as appropriate medical surveillance and health services.

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Health and Safety Review

Identify Safety Requirements

There may be specific safety programs that also apply to the research/remote operations that will be performed. Use the EHS Survey Tool to answer questions about the conditions and tasks involved. The Safety Survey Tool can be accessed through the Safety Management System (SMS) by principal investigators and lab managers. This tool can be used to determine what EHS programs and trainings are applicable to the work you will be performing.

Identify Health Requirements

Occupational health hazards associated with the research/location are reviewed separately and may require medical surveillance or vaccinations. Vaccinations required for research-related travel are available through Environmental Health and Safety at no cost to employees. You must allow sufficient time before your departure if vaccinations will be required.

Animal Handling

Field studies and the use of wild (caught) animals must be reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). All Virginia Tech personnel who use or handle animals, or who wear respiratory protection, must enroll in Environmental Health & Safety's Occupational Health Assurance Program by completing the Health Survey Form.   

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Field Safety Plans

The principal investigator, or project lead, should use the Field Safety Plan template to establish site safety procedures and protocols. You should also download the entire Field Safety Guidelines for reference. Results from the Safety Survey Tool will also serve as a guide in identifying necessary training for work covered by OSHA. The plan should then be communicated to all members of the team and kept on file on campus. Planning should address the following areas:

• Description of fieldwork to be conducted
  • Will you be working alone?
  • Is there a potable water source, and are sanitary facilities available?
  • Are living quarters provided, or will sheltering have to be provided?
  • Will you be traveling or working in the backcountry during hunting seasons?
  • Location hazard assessment
    • Are there environmental hazards that must be considered, such as high altitude (over 6,000 ft), extreme heat or cold, or other adverse weather conditions, rough terrain, or strenuous climbing/hiking, wild animal, insect, or plant hazards, caves or other "confined spaces", work over/on/underwater, work at night or in poor lighting
    • Is there endemic medical disease, such as rabies, hantavirus, or Lyme's Disease, or other biological hazards, that would pose a risk to personnel?
• Itinerary: including location(s) of fieldwork, arrival and departure dates, and mode(s) of transportation. 
  • Will you need authorizations for access to state, federal, and/or private lands?
  • Will you need permits for sample collections from respective agencies?
• Communications
  • Prior to traveling, the research team must establish a communication plan and all pertinent parties must be familiar with the contents. This plan includes the following information and considerations:
    • Properly informed, competent designated contacts - both within the fieldwork team, with family contacts, and at the university inlcuding team member names, addresses, phone numbers, and emergency contacts;
    • Local contacts who can reach you, if necessary;
    • Local emergency contacts and/or procedures (emergency medical services, local hospitals, fire departments, etc.);
  • Schedules and methods for maintaining contact with the university (and family)
  • Details (to contacts) regarding location(s) of work, expected duration, and at what point will the alarm be raised if the communication schedule is not met
  • How to activate the Emergency Plan (ex. protocols for missed communication dates/times)
  • Alternate means of communication
  • Training and licensing are required for use of certain types of radios. Where these are the main form of communication, all members of the fieldwork team must be trained and licensed in their use.
  • If cell phones are to be used, verify potential service interruption issues. Battery power for communication equipment should be sufficient to last beyond the expected duration of the fieldwork.
• Local emergency contacts/services
  • First aid/CPR training for participants.
  • At least one first aid kit must be available on site. (One or more members of your team should be trained in CPR and First Aid. Classes are available through EHS (fees may apply.)
    
  • Review minimum stock recommendations.
  • Additional first aid supplies will depend upon the types of potential injuries that may be expected during the scope of work.
• Risk assessment
  • Personal health risks?
  • Existing or potential safety hazards?
  • Environmental hazards or risks?
  • Locale hazards or risks?
• Equipment (as appropriate)
  • Vehicle emergency kit, flares, portable fire extinguisher, orange reflective vest
  • Two-way radio, CB, or cellular phone (batteries, charger), whistle, mirror
  • Water purification tablets or filter devices, high energy food
  • Weather radio, compass and maps
  • Ax, saw, knife, shovel, pick, bucket, rope, blanket, tarp or large bright plastic bag, duct tape
  • Water-proof matches, lighter, flint, or steel wool and a 9-volt battery
  • Flashlight with extra batteries, candles
  • First-aid kit and first aid manual, insect repellant, sunscreen
  • Personal medications (i.e. prescriptions), allergy treatments or antivenums
  • Weather-appropriate clothing (hat, rain gear, winter gear, etc.)
  • Personal protective equipment: mask or respirator, work gloves, safety glasses or goggles, face shield, wet suit, hard hat, steel-toed shoes or appropriate footwear, floatation devices, fall protection harness, hearing protection, flame-retardant clothing, animal handling gear, etc.

Note: Multiple trips to the same location, for the same type of work, can be covered by a single plan. The plan should be revised whenever a significant change to the location or scope of work occurs. Environmental Health & Safety is available to assist with the completion or review of the plan.

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Communications

Have a Plan

Prior to traveling, the research team must establish a communication plan and all pertinent parties must be familiar with the contents. This plan includes the following information and considerations:

• Properly informed, competent designated contacts - both within the fieldwork team, with family contacts, and at the university;
• Schedules and methods for maintaining contact with the university (and family);
• Details (to contacts) regarding location(s) of work, expected duration, and at what point will the alarm be raised if the communication schedule is not met;
• How to activate the Emergency Plan (ex. protocols for missed communication dates/times); and
• Alternate means of communication.

Radio Communications

Training and licensing are required for use of certain types of radios. Where two-way radios are the main form of communication, all members of the fieldwork team must be trained and licensed in their use.

Cell Phones

If cell phones are to be used:

• Verify potential service interruption issues. 
• Battery power for communication equipment should be sufficient to last beyond the expected duration of the fieldwork.
• Consider potential recharging issues.

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Remote Locations

Field research often takes place in locations where native flora/ fauna/ parasitic and microbial agents can present novel health hazards, especially to non-native people. Medical care can be difficult to obtain, and/ or made more complicated to obtain due to language barriers, remote field locations, etc.

• Consult with the Environmental Health & Safety Occupational Health Program on appropriate prevention and treatment strategies, vaccinations, and so forth at least several months before you begin your fieldwork. The Occupational Health physician can recommend specific first aid provisions, and supply medication such as antimalarials. Consultation with your primary care physician is also recommended.
• Safety training that can be customized for your needs is available through Environmental Health & Safety for groups or individuals who will travel to remote areas for field research. Contact 540-231-3600.
• If traveling outside of the 50 United States, travel must be reported at least two weeks before departure by submitting a Pre-Approval in Chrome River for each traveler.
• Contact individuals in your field or department who have traveled/ worked in your destination area in order to gain critical knowledge regarding:
  • Local flora/fauna hazard awareness;
  • Routine and emergency communications, transportation, medical/emergency treatment available locally; and
  • Language and culture of local populations.
• Review the important information provided at the Office of Export and Secure Research Compliance. This site includes links to the U. S. State Department.
• Review the U.S. State Department's travel information about your destination area, and know the location of the nearest U.S. Embassy. Register your travels online using the Smart Traveler Enrollment program on the State Department's website. This registration will provide you with information updates on your destination.
• Learn about current health risks that could be encountered at your destination by going to the "Destinations" page on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
• For employees and students participating in study-abroad programs, you must register with Virginia Tech's Global Education Office. See their website for valuable travel advice and information, and review Virginia Tech's Global Travel Policy.
• Other resources and information include:
  • U.S. Forest Service
  • Bearfoot Theory - Wildlife Safety Tips & How To Prevent Dangerous Encounters
  • REI CO OP - Wildlife Safety Tips
  • Avalanche Safety
  • National Geographic - Avalanche Safety Tips

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Additional Resources

Travel Abroad

• Travel Preparation and Safety Abroad from Global Education Office 
• International Programs/Travel from Risk Management and Insurance

Boating and Water Safety

• Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 
• U.S. Coast Guard - Personal Floatation Devices

Health Information

• 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)
• Center for Disease Control - Traveler's Health 
• Center for Disease Control - Ticks 
• WebMD - Altitude Sickness

Travel Vaccinations

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

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.

• National Weather Service 
• Cold Stress 
• Heat Stress
• Lightning Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Information

Robin McCall-Miller, Occupational Safety Program Manager

Phone: 540-231-2341
Email: rmmiller@vt.edu