1. Safe Field Research
…advice from EHS

2. Field Research Safety Our discussion… 1 Planning 2 Acting 3 Reacting
4 Learning

3. Moral / Effective / Legal Ethical Efficient Why – Safe Research?
It’s the
Law
It’s the
Right Thing to Do
for our Research
It’s the
Right Thing to Do
for our People

4. A bit about the law…
The Alberta OH&S Act, Regulation and Code
Regulates all worksites across Alberta – there is similar language in all jurisdictions
Every employer shall ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers at the work site, whether or not they are doing the work of the employer
Workers must know their responsibilities as described in the act

5. A bit about the law…
The Alberta OH&S Act, Regulation and Code
Every worker shall take reasonable care to protect the health and safety of the worker and others
Every worker will co-operate with the employer for the purposes of protecting the health and safety of the worker and others

6. Field Research Safety 1 Planning 2 Acting 3 Reacting 4 Learning
Recording inputs into future plans
Hazard Identification
Field
Research
Safety
Hazard Evaluation
Sharing Lessons Learned
1 Planning
2 Acting
3 Reacting
4 Learning
Planning for Hazard Control
Evaluating Opportunities for Improvement
Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Reflecting on Successes & Challenges
Training
Implementing Remedial Hazard and Compliance Controls
Competently Applying Hazard Controls & Training for Safe Research
Monitoring, Supervision & Documentation
Reporting to U of A and Regulators
Responding to Incidents, Emergencies and Compliance Events

7. Hazard Identification, Evaluation & Control
Most important aspect of a health and safety management system
Identify hazards / evaluate risk / identify controls / ensure controls are in place
Key piece to safe research and compliance to OHS Legislation
Many regulatory references to hazard control
Often industrial partners have resources
Field Activity Plan template includes a hazard assessment

8. Field Activity Plans – On-Line
Examples of Field Activity Plans are on the FRO website
Some Departments require a copy of the plan
E-Learning on Field Activity Plans will be available mid February
Caution - customize for your own circumstances

9. Training
Hazard Assessment should include training requirements for individuals in the field
Where possible, evaluate the effectiveness of the training and competency of individuals
Review material available through FRO and EHS
Document / document / document

10. Continual Monitoring & Supervision
Daily tailgate meetings
Review daily activity (locations, nature of work, etc.)
Consider any changes
Weather (rain, lightning, wind, fire conditions, etc.)
Individuals in the area
Changes in schedule
Daily / weekly / monthly equipment inspections
Regular safety meetings
Guard against complacency

11. Specific Items to Consider in the Field
Working alone should be avoided if at all possible
If required, high level of controls are required (two way communication equipment, frequent check-ins, action plan)
Communication to and from the field
Higher level of first aid may be required
Consider time for external resources to arrive in the field / nature of the hazard
FRO website has valuable hazard specific information
Consider other researchers that are in the area
Share resources
Evaluate any impacts

12. Plans should include emergency response.
Just in case…
Plans should include emergency response.
Decide on how to deal with the immediate incident
How to provide medical attention based on type of injury
Communication plan at the time of emergency
Post emergency response communication
Talk about the necessity of a well planned ERP – drills, etc. How if affects victim(s) and witnesses. Mention that the processes above should drastically reduce the likely of an event, it is still important to have emergency response plans

13. What can I do if I encounter unsafe conditions?
Stop all activity if there is imminent danger
Discuss conditions with supervision and decide on methods of addressing concerns
Report incident or concern through the EHS website
Contact the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights

14. What to do in case of an incident
Always deal with the incident itself first
FAP should include information on how to access medical attention
FAP should address emergency communication and post emergency communication
Deal with people first
Protect environment and infrastructure next
Preserve the scene

15. Why do we need to report? It is the Law
Severe penalties can result from lack of reporting
negative perception
WCB reporting protects the worker
Benefits can be denied
Allow the University to identify trends
Effective and efficient use of resources

16. How do we report incidents
Serious incidents verbally report immediately to EHS
EHS can be contacted 24 hr / day through Protective Services
Legislative reporting is complex – we will guide where needed; preference is to have EHS notify regulator
All incidents must also be reported through the EHS Website
WCB reporting is through Organizational Health and Effectiveness (Human Resource Services)
Currently examining combined reporting

17. EHS Site Visits 2017 Site visits will be completed in 2017
Visits lead to improvements across all field research locations
Visits mandated by BSHEC

18. Field Research Safety Our discussion… 1 Planning 2 Acting 3 Reacting
4 Learning

19. Our hope…
Field
Research
Safety
1 Planning
Acting
3 Learning

20. Thank you for planning safe field research