Field Safety

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Before you begin working at your monitoring site, there are several safety requirements that must be considered. General safety, equipment safety and site safety must be examined prior to each field trip to ensure a successful trip for all. A successful trip is one where no one is injured, set tasks are accomplished, and, don't forget, fun! Using your common sense is one of the most important aspects of achieving safe and meaningful field investigations.

GENERAL SAFETY
By reading and understanding all manuals/procedures/instructions before starting a given task or procedure, the participants are knowledgeable about the task(s) at hand and know where caution should be taken. Knowing how chemical tests are run and equipment is handled is a good first step to a successful trip. For water quality testing, be sure that you are familiar with all of the chemicals present in each test. Also, be sure each test kit has a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The MSDS has important safety information for each chemical in case of an emergency. Keep a cell phone and emergency numbers (including the Poison Control Center) handy. You will need to give the name of the chemical in question and its manufacturer's code number.

Secondly, you will need the proper liability form and an emergency information form according to your school district's specifications. If a student does not have both of these signed forms, he/she should not be allowed to participate in the field.

Thirdly, proper attire is a must when working in the field. ALWAYS wear shoes, even in the water. As tempting as it may be to go barefoot, a shard of broken glass or a rusty fish hook can result in an unsuccessful field trip. Always wear sunscreen and a hat to prevent sunburn. Insect repellant is not necessary but convenient.

Another very important item to bring on a field trip is the first aid kit. The kit does not have to be elaborate but should be easy to carry directly to the site. As the leader of a field group, you should be aware of any medical conditions (i.e. diabetes, asthma, etc.) group members may have. Students will have reported these conditions on the emergency information form, which they should have filled out. Your first aid kit should reflect the needs of their conditions.

Lastly, never go on a field trip alone. If going with children, take another responsible adult with you who is familiar with the same safety regulations and test techniques as you are.

Equipment Safety
When performing water quality testing, be sure to avoid all contact between the chemicals and the skin, eyes, nose and mouth. Long sleeved clothing and rubber boots/waders are suggested. ALWAYS wear safety goggles and rubber gloves when handling chemicals. Use test tube caps or stoppers (not fingers) when shaking or mixing. Wipe up a spill immediately and wash or properly throw away wiping material. Rinse all test tubes and collection vials with tap water after each use. Be certain to tightly close each bottle of reagent after use. DO NOT SWITCH CAPS. An unwanted chemical reaction could be the result. Dispose of all used chemicals properly according to hazardous waste guidelines. When in the field, take a waste bucket with a sealing lid to place spent chemicals in until you can dispose of them properly. Also, wash hands after performing a chemical test. See the Field Trip Checklist, which you can print out from here and check off. )

Whether you are water quality testing or biodiversity testing, use the equipment correctly. Improper use of gear could result in injury. Pay particular attention to nets and lines so as not to place them in an area with heavy foot traffic. When stowed, be certain that nets and lines are properly rolled to prevent snagging of other unwanted items. Before leaving for a field trip, be sure the gear is in proper working order. For instance, check for dragging strings from the seine that need clipped, splinters in wood box of the sieve or the handles of the seine, and bits of wire mesh in the sieve that could poke or scratch.

SITE SAFETY
Choose a site that is safe for the group to get to and sample in. Remember the age group of kids that will be out there. What may be safe for you may not be safe for them. Be sure the sides of the banks are not too deep or steep to comfortably step in or out of. Check local street traffic to see if it will be a hazard in your chosen spot. ALWAYS wear a personal floatation device (PFD) while working in or near water. These are slick areas, and a slip and fall could result in unconsciousness.

Be careful of water flow. DO NOT step into swiftly moving water! If needed, make a device that can allow you to take water samples from the shoreline without getting in the water. A long pole with a collection vial at the end works great. You just need some ingenuity and engineering.

Also, familiarize yourself with your spot and ask yourself several questions before taking the students there. Are there any local flora and fauna that may come in contact with your group? Are there any poisonous plants, harmful insects, fish or other organisms that may pose a threat if not handled properly? What is the bottom type of the wetland? Is it rocky, where slipping may be common, or mucky, where sinking may be a problem? Is traffic out of the way of the area? Do I have all of the proper permission to be on this land? Is there enough area for the water quality testers and the biotic testers to work safely?