Appendix E: Field Safety Requirements
Field Safety Plan
A written field safety plan is required for all field research activities and must be submitted to the appropriate department or college. The plan should address potential hazards, mitigation strategies, emergency procedures, and roles and responsibilities.
Communications Plan
Each field safety plan must include a communications strategy with the following elements:
- Designate primary and secondary points of contact at the employee’s regular workplace (e.g., university campus, research station, or home). At least one contact must be reachable throughout the trip using the designated communication method.
- Designate primary and secondary points of contact at the field site. At least one must be available for the duration of the field activity.
Backcountry Communication
For fieldwork conducted in remote or wilderness areas where reliable cell phone service is not available, an alternate communication method is required. This may include a satellite phone, GPS messenger (e.g., SPOT or inReach), or another approved device capable of emergency communication.
Medical Training
At least one team member must have basic first aid training if traveling to areas greater than 30 minutes but less than 60 minutes away from emergency medical services, including travel time. If traveling to areas more than 60 minutes away from emergency medical services, Wilderness First Aid (WFA) training is required. Depending on the location and nature of the activity, additional medical training may be required.
First Aid Kit Content Requirements:
| First Aid Supply | Minimum Quantity: Class A | Minimum Quantity: Class B | Minimum Size: U.S. | Minimum Size: Metric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive Bandage | 16 | 50 | 1 x 3 in. | 2.5 x 7.5cm |
| Adhesive Tape | 1 | 2 | 2.5 yd. (total) | 2.3m |
| Antibiotic Application | 10 | 25 | 1/57 oz. | 0.5g |
| Antiseptic | 10 | 50 | 1/57 oz. | 0.5g |
| Breathing Barrier | 1 | 1 | ||
| Burn Dressing (Gel soaked) | 1 | 2 | 4x4 in. | 10x10cm |
| Burn Treatment | 10 | 25 | 1/32 oz. | 0.9g |
| Cold Pack | 1 | 2 | 4 x 5 in. | 10/12.5cm |
| Eye Covering (with menas of attachment) | 2 | 2 | 2.9 sq. in. | 19 sq. cm |
| Eye Skin Wash | 1 fl. oz. total | 4 fl. oz. total | 29.6mL 118.3 mL | |
| First Aid Guide | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Hand Sanitizer | 6 | 10 | 1/32 oz. | 0.9g |
| Medical Exam Gloves | 2 pair | 4 pair | N/A | N/A |
| Roller Bandage (2 inch) | 1 | 2 | 2 in. x 4 yd. | 5cm x 3.66m |
| Roller Bandage (4 inch) | 0 | 1 | 4 in. x 4 yd | 10cm x 3.66m |
| Scissors | 1 | 1 | N/A | N/A |
| Splint | 0 | 1 | 4.0 x 24 in. | 10.2 x 61cm |
| Sterile Pad | 2 | 4 | 3 x 3 in. | 7.5 7.5cm |
| Tourniquet | 0 | 1 | 1 in. (width) | 2.5cm (width |
| Trauma Pad | 2 | 4 | 5 x 9 in. | 12.7 x 22.9cm |
| Triangular Bandage | 1 | 2 | 40 x 40 x 56 in. | 101 x 101 x 142cm |