Safety Our job is not done until everyone is home safely.
Topics 1.First Aid/CPR 2.Vehicles 3.Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) 4.Personal protective equipment (PPE) 5.Check in / check out 6.Top 5 Hazards
Topic 1: First Aid/CPR Take the training seriously What will you do if… – A crew member slips and breaks an ankle miles from the truck? – You bump into a hornets nest while electrofishing?
Topic 2: Vehicles Driving; it’s the most dangerous thing we do This topic is so important, it has it’s own presentation: ‘Fleet Orientation’
Topic 3: JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) Before going in field – Know your limitations – Know your equipment – Know your environment – Get local input Tailgate safety meetings weekly – or as issues arise
Topic 4: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) Stream Habitat – Hardhat, wading boots (felt or sticky rubber) Electrofishing – Hardhat, wading boots (felt or sticky rubber), waders, rubber gloves – Long pants required under breathable waders Hiking – Hardhat, hiking boots (high enough to provide ankle support)
Other good PPE’s Sunscreen Weather appropriate clothes Water bottle Rain gear Never, ever work alone
Check in / Check out Daily plan – Notify project contact when Departing for field – Including who is going where Returning from field – Multiple crews; a person on each crew should know where other crews are going that day SPOT devices – A one-way communication device for use when there is no cell reception – Not a substitute for a plan Know where the nearest hospital is
Top 5 hazards 1.Driving It is the most dangerous thing we do, period. 2.Wading Slips = broken bones, separated joints 3.Plants & critters Poison ivy, wasps, chiggers, ticks, snakes, bears 4.Exposure wet & cold; hot & thirsty; sunny & burnt 5.Fatigue Physical breakdown, loss of mental focus
Other hazards Weather – Lightning – Flash floods People – Landowners – Pot – Meth
Lessons learned Share a story of an accident or near-miss that will improve our safety – What happened? – How can we change to avoid this in the future? Not looking to place blame, but to learn and improve our safety program No issue too small!
Questions?