Chapter 1: Planning

Assess Potential Field Hazards

Hazard assessment for field activities may be triggered by various entities, such as animal protocol review, as part of the research/lab safety program at your campus, or through department procedures. The field hazard assessment tool below provides an overview of resources and hazard mitigation steps for common USU field activities.

Note: All fieldwork requires a pre-trip briefing on anticipated hazards. It is essential to discuss appropriate safety measures, communication methods, and emergency protocols with all participants.

 Get Started Assessing Potential Field Hazards

Answer the following questions:

Destination

Is your trip conducted on non-University owned property?

You must complete a travel authorization according to USU Policy 5302: Travel

Will you be traveling internationally?

Be familiar with USU Policy 5303: International Travel, and follow all required steps 

Does your “Trip Brief”, the CDC, or State Department recommend vaccinations or prophylaxis for your destination?

Schedule a medical visit at least 6-8 weeks prior to your trip; Occupational Health, Travel Clinic or Student Health Clinics available, depending on your campus

Will you be visiting sites with hazardous terrain, climate, wildlife, zoonotic risks, poor sanitation, other environmental hazards, or remote sites with limited services?

• Complete a Field Safety Plan
• Investigate and understand risks and hazards, perform a risk assessment and ensure you are prepared to face hazards

Does your worksite lack reliable phone service?

Establish a communications plan that includes:

• Primary and Alternate communications methods and times
• Emergency communications contingency

Will you be visiting private property or entering private homes?

• Obtain permission
• Avoid working alone when possible
• Ensure proper approvals/protocols are in place and followed
• Carry USU identification
• Dress comfortably but professionally
• Carry a reliable means of communication and follow communications plan from Field Safety Plan 

Will you be visiting controlled sites such as construction sites or mines?

• Request PPE and site access requirements in advance
• Carry USU identification
• Avoid working alone when possible
• Check-in with site manager/superintendent to understand what hazards may be present

Will you be driving to/from/or at your destination?

Review USU policies 5312 and 5302 and follow all requirements in order to drive vehicles for USU business.

• Consider off-road/4x4 training if applicable: see USU Policy 4110: Off-Highway Vehicles

Will anyone be chartering boats, planes, or using other non-commercial means of transport?

Consult with Risk Management regarding appropriate insurance and precautions

Participation

Are you responsible for students registered in a field course?

• Review Chapter 3: Best Practices for Trip Leaders and Appendix Campus Resources
• Consider establishing a “Student Behavior Agreement” or reviewing a “Code of Conduct”
• Set the tone for a safe trip by discussing expectations and rules before trip
• Carry a participant roster with emergency contact and medical information at all times

Will participants be camping or sleeping in shared tents, dorms, housing, etc.?

• Review Chapter 3: Best Practices for Trip Leaders and Appendix Campus Resources
• Consider establishing a “Student Behavior Agreement” or reviewing a “Code of Conduct” 
• Set the tone for a safe and inclusive trip by discussing expectations and rules before trip
• Carry a participant roster with emergency contact and medical information at all times

Will volunteers be helping on your project? 

Register volunteers formally; consult with Risk Management

Will family members, partners, or other companions be travelling with participants?

Review USU Policy 5302 for family/companion travel

Field Activities - Specifics to integrate into your Field Safety Plan

Working outdoors with temperatures over 80° F or in intense sunlight?

• Carry sufficient water(1L/hour), take breaks in shade
• Carry shades or tarps if natural shade is unavailable
• Maintain means of communication, awareness of worksite location, and ability to obtain EMS

Working in dry vegetation/areas with high fire danger?

• Complete fire extinguisher training
• Carry a fire extinguisher, shovel, and bucket of sand in your vehicle
• Consult with Campus Fire Marshal, Fire Prevention Office, or appropriate land management agency office

Working in cold/wet conditions?

• Provide all participants a recommended gear list including waterproof clothing, boots; layers for insulation, extra dry socks, tarp, etc.
• Carry extra blankets or sleeping bag in your vehicle for emergencies

Does work involve:

• Excavating soil more than 4 feet deep?
• Working at heights over 6 feet?
• Entering caves, vaults, mines, or other potential confined spaces?
• Handling or transporting hazardous material or samples?
• Use of powered tools or equipment?
• Working in loud environments?
• Using OHVs/ATVs?[MB1]
• Using snowmobiles?
• Clinical work or handling of biological specimens?
• Handling/trapping wildlife?
• Working with electricity?

• Contact EH&S or appropriate hazard assessment, training, and PPE selection
• Including training requirements and precautions in your Field Safety Plan or refer to specific procedures, job hazard analyses (JHA), etc.
• If medical clearance or vaccinations are required, schedule your appointment with Occupational Health at least 6-8 weeks prior to travel (e.g. for use of respirators, working in loud environments, handling bats or other hazardous wildlife). 

Will anyone be operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones)?

All UAS flights require prior approval and post-flight reporting.

Will anyone be boating (motorboats, kayaks, canoes, or other watercraft)?

• Properly fit PFDs must be worn at all times
• Complete a float plan for every trip

Written Field Safety Plan

For field work in remote locations – or hazardous work off campus – develop a field safety plan with site information and emergency procedures. Taking the time to compile a thorough safety plan and discuss it with your team will prepare you to more effectively manage risks that arise in the field. It serves as a hazard assessment tool and can include Go/No Go criteria, refer to other protocols or training and be used to brief your field team or course participants on trip logistics and precautions. Developing and using a field safety plan is appropriate for the following activities:

• Conducting field research or teaching field courses off campus
• Work performed at field stations, nature reserves, or controlled sites. Established site procedures may be available but should be supplemented with a safety plan for hazards specific to your research or tasks.

Field Safety Plan templates can be found in Appendix C: Example Trip Planning Forms

• Register your trip with a Travel (TA)
• Training on how to submit a TA request
• Travel Authorization Request
• Upon completion of the trip, a Travel Reimbursement must be submitted.
• Travel Reimbursement Request
• Travel Authorizations should be completed at least two weeks prior to the trip.

Identify appropriate equipment, gear, and first aid supplies

Fieldwork often requires travel and work at sites that lack basic services such as plumbed water, reliable communications, or prompt emergency medical services. It’s important during planning to budget and plan for appropriate safety measures.

First Aid Kits

This handbook outlines the recommended first aid kit contents based on the type of outdoor activity and potential response times in an emergency. There are two general categories of kits: Class A and Class B.

• Class A kits are suitable for most common injuries and are recommended when working in areas where emergency services can reach you within 30 minutes. These kits are helpful for basic first aid but typically do not include advanced bleeding control tools or long-term wound care supplies.
• Class B kits are larger, more comprehensive, and better suited for remote areas or higher-risk activities. If you'll be more than 30 minutes from emergency services, or away from supply restocks for more than three days, a Class B kit is recommended. These are especially important when working with powered equipment like chainsaws or ATVs, where the risk of severe injury is greater.

In high-risk environments, it's best to supplement a Class B kit with trauma supplies such as a tourniquet and hemostatic dressing. Some Class B kits may already include these items. A good approach is to stage a fully stocked kit in a vehicle or base camp and ensure that anyone operating machinery or engaging in hazardous work also carries a personal trauma kit.

Regardless of location or activity, every field outing should include basic first aid supplies. Here are a few key considerations:

• Training is essential. First aid kits don’t save lives—people do. Know how to use every item in your kit.
• Start with a commercial kit. Brands like NOLS, North American Rescue, REI, and Adventure Medical Kits offer great options tailored to outdoor settings and group sizes.
• Customize for your needs. Evaluate your environment, risks, and group size. Add trauma supplies as needed—tourniquets, chest seals, or petroleum gauze can be critical.
• Bring extra gloves. Always have more than you think you’ll need.
• Restock before every trip. Replace used, expired, or damaged items. Many vendors offer refill packs.
• Check expiration dates. Medications and sterile products can degrade or lose effectiveness over time.
• Include a trash bag. Keep your kit clean and organized—make sure everyone using it follows this practice.

For a suggested list of contents for Class A and Class B first aid kits, see Appendix E.

Important safety equipment to bring in the field

Consider transportation options and precautions

Modes of travel as well as vehicles or equipment used at your field site should be included in your field safety plan, along with any prerequisite trainingor required work practicesfor their field experience. Help prepare your participants to have a safe experience:

Schedule an orientation “pre-trip” meeting before heading out in the field

Communications

Communications Plan for Field Research

All field research activities must include a communication plan that outlines:

• The methods of communication to be used (e.g., cell phone, satellite phone, radio).
• The frequency of check-ins based on the location and risk level of the activity.
• Clearly identified primary and secondary points of contact. 
• A contingency plan in case communication does not occur as expected.

Point of Contact Requirements

At the home base (e.g., main office, research station, or home residence):

• Designate both a primary and a secondary contact.
• At least one of them must be reachable for the full duration of the field activity using the communication method identified in the plan.

At the field site (e.g., base camp, nearby facility):

• Designate a primary and secondary contact who are part of or near the field team.
• One must be available and accessible throughout the duration of the trip, as outlined in the communications plan.