USAP Safety and Health Gwendolyn M. Adams Associate Program Manager for Safety and Health NSF/Office of Polar Programs Polar Research Support Section

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health SEQUENCE OF EVENTS USAP Policies Proposal Preparation Defining Support Requirements Deployment Process “On-ice” Activities

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health POLICIES Travel to Antarctica is inherently risky USAP establishes policies to help mitigate those risks Most USAP Requirements are consistent with Institutional Programs –General laboratory safety –OSHA-type programs

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health POLICIES (Cont’d) Some USAP Requirements are Unique –mountaineering/survival skills for remote field parties –underwater diving

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health PROPOSAL PREPARATION Complete “Safety and Health” checklist Identify “field requirements” Objective is to identify Safety and Health risks or unusual support requirements early –Subsequent support planning is based on responses to above –Does not influence grant award decisions

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health DEFINING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS PROPOSAL STAGE: Identify your needs – Hazardous materials--waste management – Remote field work (mountaineering skills) – Underwater diving – Use of explosives – Use of radioisotopes

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health DEFINING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS AWARD STAGE: USAP Support Contractor Will Appoint a Coordinator to Guide and Assist PI Based on Operational Requirements Worksheet: –Rad authorization request, if using radioisotopes –Diving authorization request, if conducting underwater diving, –Details on waste streams, if using hazardous materials, –Additional specifics on remote field work

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health DEPLOYMENT PROCESS PRE-DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES –Finalize “research support plan” –Medical clearance required for all personnel traveling to Antarctica –NSF establishes the medical clearance criteria Difference between summer and winter deployment criteria RPSC applies the criteria

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health DEPLOYMENT PROCESS (Cont’d) –RPSC s ends Deployment “packet” to all deploying personnel Typically sent out ~May prior to ~October deployment Packet includes medical and dental exams –Personnel wintering over must also pass a psychological examination

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health DEPLOYMENT PROCESS (Cont’d) –Traveler completes the packet and returns to RPSC for medical and dental qualifications determination (PQ/NPQ) –Grant pays for exams, not “repairs” –Some people may not qualify, so PI needs to have alternates identified –If collaborating with international scientists, some reciprocity between other national programs

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health “ON-ICE” ACTIVITIES USAP provides all “on-ice” medical care USAP operates medical clinics at 3 stations and dispensaries on two Research Vessels Medical capabilities are limited, so Program needs to insure “healthy” population

23 – 24 August 2004 U.S. Antarctic Program, New Investigators workshop USAP Safety and Health “ON-ICE” ACTIVITIES (Cont’d) Specified training requirements –remote field work.... “Snow School” –waste management –recreational safety –helo, aircraft safety Follow “house rules” –Lab facilities “Codes of Conduct” –Research Vessels –Remote field work (e.g., radio checks

USAP Safety and Health BOTTOM LINE KEEP IN THE FRONT OF YOUR MIND, “THIS CONTINENT IS DANGEROUS” RISKS CAN BE MITIGATED YOU ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND AND YOUR WORST ENEMY –STAY VIGILANT –DON’T BE A HERO –READ THE MANUALS, LISTEN TO THE RECTORIC –FOLLOW THE RULES COME BACK ALIVE, HEALTHY, AND IN ONE PIECE