pi/ls maintain a copy of the field safety risk assessment

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY OFFICE

4400 University Drive, MS 5E2 | Fairfax, Virginia 22030 | Phone: 703.993.8448 | [email protected] | ehs.gmu.edu

Field Safety Risk Assessment

The Field Safety Risk Assessment is a supplement to the Field Safety Guide designed to assist

Principal Investigator/Laboratory Supervisor (PI/LS) in evaluating the risks associated with field

work to clarify risk mitigation strategies in place. Personnel participating in field work should

receive training on their duties and on the contents of the risk assessment. It is recommended that

PI/LS maintain a copy of the Field Safety Risk Assessment with the department. If multiple trips

are planned to the same location, they may be covered by the same Field Safety Risk Assessment.

The Field Safety Risk Assessment should be revised whenever a significant change to the location

or scope of fieldwork occurs.

Section 1: Trip Information

PI/LS name: Department:

Phone number: Email address:

Location of field research:

Indicate the number of visits that will take place (estimate):

Dates of travel (list multiple dates if more than one trip is planned):

Please note: if traveling outside the United States, Export Control laws may apply. For more

information, contact the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

(http://oria.gmu.edu/export-control/).

Country: Nearest city:

Nearest hospital name and address:

Research description:

Section 2: Fieldwork Team (attach additional if necessary)

Name Employee Student Volunteer

Section 3: Hazard Identification

Identification of hazards is the first step in conducting the risk assessment. The following

checklist will provide a guide to identifying common hazards. The PI/LS should review all

aspects of the field work to ensure comprehensive hazard identification has been completed.

Physical Hazards

Mark the type of work that may be encountered during the field work.

Hazard Description of the

Risk

Risk Mitigation

Measures 1. Rock climbing

2. High altitude 3. Hiking

http://oria.gmu.edu/export-control/


4400 University Drive, MS 5E2 | Fairfax, Virginia 22030 | Phone: 703.993.8448 | [email protected] | ehs.gmu.edu 2

4. Extreme heat 5. Sun exposure 6. Extreme cold

7. Manual lifting, carrying, or

handling heavy loads (more than 40

pounds)

8. Working on, near, over, or in water 9. Insects (e.g. ticks, mosquitoes,

spiders, bees, scorpions)

10. Plants (e.g. poison ivy, poison oak) 11. SCUBA diving 12. Operating a motor boat

13. Tree climbing or scaling 14. Ladder use 15. Driving a vehicle 16. Endemic disease (e.g. malaria,

dengue, hantavirus):

17. Extreme heat 18. Dehydration 19. Extreme weather

20. Dark, confied spaces (e.g., mines,

caves)

21. Foodborne illness 22. Uneven or rocky terrain 23. Unstable terrain (e.g., prone to

mudslides, avalanches, flooding)

24. Steep slopes/cliffs 25. Noise exposure (above 85 dB)

26. Travel on isolated roads/unpaved

roads or off-roading

27. Work in remote areas 28. Close proximity to exposed

energized conductors (e.g., power

lines)

29. Hazardous materials use (e.g.,

chemical, radiation)

30. Other, specify: 31. Yes No Are there any immunization or prophylaxis required for work in the

field? If yes, list all required immunizations or prophylaxis measures:

Section 4: Local Environment 1. Has any participant reported any condition that may require special accommodations?

Yes No



2. Have arrangements been made

to provide the following:

Potable water

Yes No

Personal

washing/ hygiene

Yes No

Toilet facilities

or alternatives

Yes No

Explain: 3. Will any participant be working alone? Yes No

If working alone, consider the following: Limitations on certain activities while alone,

provision of emergency supplies, and establishment of minimum training or experience

or other standards of competency before working alone. Describe any restrictions below:

4. Is the local area subject to violence or unrest? Yes No

Section 5: Equipment Indicate Any Specialized Equipment to be Utilized or

Activities to be Conducted Description

1. Chain saws

2. Compressed gasses

3. Confined space

4. Diving (free, scuba, line, NITROX, Tri Gas)

5. Excavation/trenching/ tunneling

6. Powered saws, grinders, & planers

7. Firearms (including tranquilizer guns)

8. Fire extinguisher

9. Powered mobile equipment (fork lift, tractor, heavy

equipment, golf cart, ATV)

10. Vehicles (including 18-passenger van)

11. Boats or other watercraft

12. Explosives

13. Hazardous materials (e.g., chemical, radiation,

biological)

14. Fall protection

15. Ladders

16. Lifting devices and hoists

17. Scaffolds

18. Climbing, rappelling, rope work

19. Other, specify:

Section 7: Wildlife 1. Handling, capture, and restraint of wildlife

List species: 2. Drugs or anesthetics administration

List administration method: 3. Sample collection

List collection method: 4. Potential zoonotic diseases or possibility for contraction of disease

If so, list animal species and disease:



Section 8: Sample Collection 1.a Water Soil 1.b Insects (specify type): Animals (specify type):

1.c Plants (specify type): Animal samples (specify type): 2. Describe sampling method (traps for animals, foraging for plants, etc.):

3. How many samples will be collected (estimate)? 4. Will you manipulate the organisms or samples in the field (e.g., necropsy, implanting

tracking devices, adding chemicals)? Yes No

If yes, list all the manipulations that will be performed in the field.

5. Will samples be brought back to the laboratory for processing? Yes No

If yes, how will the samples be transported back to the laboratory?

6. Describe how the samples will be manipulated in the laboratory (e.g., mass spectrometry,

PCR, grinding of insects, observation).

7. Are any of these materials thought to contain or are suspected to contain a Risk Group

(RG) 2, RG3, or RG4 organism or other infectious substance? Yes No

If yes, please list the infectious agents that the samples are reasonably expected to

contain.

If yes, will an attempt be made to culture or isolate an infectious agent from the sample?

Yes No

8. Are any permits or approvals needed to perform this work? Yes No

If yes, list all permits/approvals that are required.

9. Are permits required for sample collection (e.g. import from international country,

transfer across state lines, endangered species, or taken from National Park Service

land)?

Yes No

Section 9: Personal Protective Equipment

Animal handling gloves

(leather or Kevlar)

Disposable gloves

(nitrile, latex, or vinyl)

Winter gloves (mittens or

gloves to keep warm)

Work gloves (leather) Face mask Personal flotation device (PFD)

High-visibility vest Other:

Section 10: Training

List training for this field project. Add additional courses as needed.

Required? Activity/Task Training Description Attendees

Yes No

General knowledge Environmental Field

Safety training class

offered through EHS

Recommended for anyone

participating in field research

at Mason



>3-4 minutes away

from Emergency

Medical Services

First Aid CPR At least one researcher,

dependent upon risk

assessment

Underwater diving Open water diver

certification

Any person utilizing self-

contained underwater

breathing apparatus (SCUBA)

Section 6: Communication and Emergency Plan 1. Describe communications systems to be employed (some examples are listed below):

Cell phones Leaving itinerary at base

camp

Whistles/air horns

Radio or walkie-

talkies

Scheduled contacts Satellite phone

Other:

2. How will participants remain oriented to their location?

GPS Maps Compass

Local guides Identification of safest routes Area familiarization trips

Aerial photo Other: 3. What procedures have been established in case the participant(s) becomes lost?

Participant to remain at location Use of emergency signals

Provision of survival gear (such

as fire starter, blanket, and canteen)

Procedure for organized search

Precautions against fire Precautions in the event of extreme weather

conditions

Creation of emergency plan First aid kit

Other measures:

Section 11: Field Work Acknowledgement

This section provides a mechanism for tracking that personnel participating in field work are

familiar with the hazards associated with this work and have received training on the Field

Safety Risk Assessment and their specific work duties.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read this Field Safety Risk Assessment and

understand its contents. I acknowledge that I have received appropriate training on the

hazards associated with the field work and my job duties.

Name Signature Date

pi/ls maintain a copy of the field safety risk assessment

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