Code of Conduct for fieldworkers

Introduction

The purpose of the code of practice for fieldwork activities is to outline the precautions and practices that should be adopted when conducting fieldwork, especially in the absence of a member of the Biology staff.

Most of the guide-lines are simply commonsense measures that must be followed during your fieldwork. No fieldwork should be carried out until you have satisfied the member of staff who is supervising your fieldwork that you have read this document and have organized the necessary safety precautions.

You are responsible for not endangering your own safety, that of your colleagues and that of members of the public.

Code of behaviour
Health
First aid kit
Personal security
Accident reporting
Accident & emergency procedures
Transport
Night time activities
Navigation
Communication
Manual handling
Mechanical handling
Access to land
Climate
Protective clothing
Leisure time
Dangerous terrain (general)
Rivers, lakes, reservoirs and their margins
Open coasts
Excavations & boreholes
Bogs, mires, swamps etc
Estuaries, mudflats, saltmarshes
Forests
Railways, motorways, main roads etc

Code of behaviour

Members of fieldwork groups will be regarded as representatives of the University by locals and other people encountered, and any unsociable or offensive behaviour will be interpreted accordingly.
Leaders of fieldwork trips should remind participants of their responsibilities to the University, staff and fellow students as part of the safety briefing before the fieldwork trip. They should point out that fieldwork is an essential part of an academic course and that unacceptable behaviour may mean offenders being facing disciplinary action.

Health hazards

Zoonotic infections, i.e. animal diseases that are transmissible to humans, are relatively rare. However, people working in proximity to animals, including those such as fieldworkers who have only indirect contact with animals, are potentially at risk. Some of the potentially most serious zoonotic infections are discussed in the Personal health hazards section (includes tetanus, leptospirosis, tick-borne diseases (including Lyme Disease) and the risk of rabies contracted from bats).
Guard against others by avoiding direct contact with farm animals, or in the case of crypto-sporidioses, camplyo-bacteriosis, listeriosis and the like, by maintaining good personal and kitchen hygiene.
Cuts or abrasions incurred during fieldwork should be thoroughly cleaned as soon as possible, and then covered by a clean dressing. Many zoonoses begin with flu-like symptoms. These should never be ignored.
It is a legal requirement to report certain diseases, including leptospirosis and tetanus. Report occurrences of these infections as for an accident.
You are recommended to obtain anti-tetanus protection for fieldwork activities that could cause a tetanus prone injury.
Loads must be tailored to physical ability and walking pace matched to the capabilities of the slowest walkers; regular breaks should be taken.

First aid kit

Fieldworkers should take a first aid kit for fieldwork activities.

Personal security

It is vital that the fieldworker and supervisor discuss issues of personal security before fieldwork starts and that appropriate precautions are taken for this aspect of safety. Any unusual hazards must be considered in advance and appropriate protocols prepared.
You are advised to carry a portable alarm system.

Accident reporting

It is important that all accidents, illnesses or dangerous occurrences are reported using the University accident report form. Serious accidents should be reported by the quickest practicable means (this usually means by telephone or email) to the Departmental Safety Advisor or University H&S Office.

Accident & emergency procedures

For each group, the fieldwork leader is responsible for organising emergency procedures and ensuring that all members of the group are aware of the arrangements.
If an accident does occur then there should be a clear plan of action to deal with the situation, which should include:

attend to the injured person immediately, keeping only the minimum number of persons to assist as necessary
ensure that one accident does not produce more; withdraw the remainder of the team to a safe place as conditions may be dangerous or may deteriorate
send for help, if the injuries are serious- ensure that the emergency services are given the exact location (e.g. by OS map reference, GPS latitude and longitude co-ordinates)
warn others of continuing dangers, if these exist.
inform the Departmental Safety Advisor as soon as practicable, who will notify the University Health & Safety Office
do not discuss the situation with anyone other than the emergency services and University officials

Transport

All drivers MUST register to become an authorised University driver and drive for business purposes, including fieldwork.
If you use your own vehicle for fieldwork it is imperative that you have suitable cover on your own insurance policy (many policies specifically exclude use of vehicles for work).
Travelling to your fieldwork site by car or bicycle probably presents a greater risk than the work itself. Drive carefully and follow the Highway Code.
Plan your trip to avoid driver fatigue. Take frequent breaks and share the driving where possible. Never smoke while driving or attempt to read a map or use a mobile phone.

Night time activities

People walking roads at night should wear light or reflective clothing and front and rear lights should be carried.

Navigation

Ensure you have adequate maps of site and route.

Communication

Before loneworkers commence fieldwork, the supervisor must know their destination, the nature of the work and the estimated time of their return. Students should also advise the supervisor upon completion of the fieldwork, appropriate emergency plans need to be in place should the lone worker fail to check in at the arranged time.
An effective system of communication must also be established between a party in the field and the base or monitoring organisation such as mountain rescue.
Methods of communication available include:

Mobile phones (note: do not rely on a mobile phone- especially in some remote areas where there may be no or poor reception)
2-way radio (note: these have a limited range)
Whistle / torch
Flares

Manual handling

Loads carried must be matched to physical ability. Manual handling activities presenting a significant risk of injury must be carefully assessed as part of the fieldwork risk assessment process.

Mechanical handling

Operators of cranes and hoists must be trained in correct lifting and slinging techniques. Lifting equipment must be suitable for the task and inspected as necessary by competent persons. Safe working loads must not be exceeded. Advice leaflets are available from the HSE for lifting.

Access to land

Access restrictions may apply to some land. Ensure permission has been granted prior to the fieldwork taking place.

Climate

The possible effect of reasonably foreseeable climatic conditions must be considered and up to date weather forecasts obtained where practicable; local knowledge can be very useful here.
Walkers in remote areas should be alert to possible sudden weather changes and must be adequately equipped. If skis, snowshoes, ice axes, crampons, climbing gear or other aids are necessary, participants must be adequately trained in their use.
Take particular care in wet weather and during periods of poor visibility.

Protective clothing

Fieldworkers should carry clothing which will protect you from weather extremes which may occur during your work. The amount of clothing will depend on where you are working, but should include at the very minimum warm clothes, preferably of high visibility, waterproofs and strong footwear appropriate for the conditions under which you are working.
In areas where game shooting takes place, wear high visibility clothing in the appropriate season. Learn when and where organised shoots are taking place and plan accordingly. In such areas, permission to enter the area will normally have to be sought.

Leisure time

There is considerable potential for accidents to occur during leisure time, for a variety of reasons. Workers may get lost or engage in hazardous activities such as swimming alone or climbing cliffs. The abuse of alcohol during leisure time can be a problem leading to dangerous pranks, becoming unfit to drive, carry out their fieldwork tasks, or else, may provoke the aggressive attention of local inhabitants.
The University's ‘duty of care’ for its staff and students does not extend to their leisure time (although they will be covered by insurance during this time). It is recommended that the nominated supervisors take a firm but fair view of student leisure time and lay down specific ground rules regarding what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. Students over 18 are not held in loco parentis by their supervisors. They must understand that they are expected to behave responsibly and sanctions will be imposed against them if they behave irresponsibly (e.g. termination of their fieldwork).

Dangerous terrain (general)

Great care must be taken when crossing dangerous terrain (e.g. high altitude, cliff tops, snow slopes, glaciers, rivers, estuaries, mud flats, slippery intertidal rocks). A watch for stragglers should be kept and an experienced walker should be at the rear.
Arrangements should also be made to guard against slipping or falling and to allow swift evacuation in emergencies.
Always move carefully over rough, rocky or vegetation-covered ground, avoiding loose boulders, burrows, etc. Never run down screes or steep hills, and take care not to dislodge loose rocks or other objects. Never climb a dry stone wall or barbed-wire fence - use a stile or gate.
Take particular care in areas of land fill, tips and soil heaps, where uneven compaction may have led to instability. Particularly look out for, and avoid, weakness resulting from underground combustion and for any toxic substances that may be present.
Do not enter areas containing old mine workings.
Carry appropriate survival equipment (e.g. survival bag) if necessary
Do not attempt to climb rock faces or steep or dangerous slopes and take no risks on ledges. Where work has to be carried out below rock faces, a hard hat must always be worn.
If you are immobilised for any reason, put on all spare clothing at once and use your survival bag without delay.

Rivers, lakes, reservoirs and their margins

If the water encountered is > 1 m a specific risk assessment for the activity must be completed
Be aware of risks of exposure. Protective and warm clothing (including life jackets if the situation demands) may be necessary and extra clothing should be carried (where life jackets are appropriate, wet suits may also be necessary in the months of December to April inclusive, depending upon local circumstances).
Be aware of possible health risks from polluted water. Use all information available locally.
The location of weirs and locks should be noted in relation to work sites. Additional safety precautions may be necessary.
River margins below water level can present unseen hazards; they may be steep sided or consist of soft deep mud with concealed rubbish, broken bottles, scrap metal etc. Care is needed when wading. Never work with bare feet.
The hazards in lakes and reservoirs are generally similar to those in rivers. Local currents associated with intake structures or spillways can constitute a hazards, often compounded by the existence of deeper water near those danger areas. Liaison with engineers operating reservoirs is essential prior to working in these sites.

Open coasts

A specific risk assessment is required for activities involving the open coast.
Except on calm days, do not work near the water's edge unless you are a good swimmer, and, if there is any risk, wear a life-vest.
Avoid working anywhere near the waterline on beaches or rock coasts when wave action is severe, or even moderately strong, for example during or after storms.
Take care when traversing boulders, particularly when wet.
Pay close attention to tide times and be wary of potential for being cut off by tide.
Consult weather forecast and be particularly wary of strong on-shore winds.

Excavations & boreholes

Excavations must be carefully planned and made by competent persons. They must be protected against collapse and inspected regularly. Risk assessments must take account of the dangers from toxic or flammable gases and the dangers of oxygen depletion.
Care must also be taken to avoid hazards from underground services and spoil tips. Sites must be adequately cordoned off and appropriate warning signs displayed. Visitors must be supplied with adequate safety information and protective clothing.

Bogs, mires, swamps etc

A specific risk assessment is required for fieldwork activities involving water > 1 m
Of the several types of wet unstable ground likely to be encountered, those of which a mat of vegetation overlies water are perhaps the most dangerous and may be distinguished by their swaying movement when walked on.
Any continuous carpets of sphagnum or peat mud should also be avoided.
Reedswamps are difficult to traverse on foot and care should be taken. Probe ahead with a pole or auger.
Do not attempt to cross a bog of any type, unless it is unavoidable, and then only if accompanied.
If it is essential to cross a bog, try to keep to the drier upstanding parts, preferably to any tussocks of grassy plants, and to avoid unvegetated areas.
If you find yourself sinking, immediately lie flat on your back, and call for assistance; keep calm; if possible free your legs and feet to the horizontal. If you are carrying a survival bag or other inflatable object try to inflate it to give you buoyancy. Even a plastic bag or waterproof garment may be used to trap air and so provide limited support. Still lying flat, move back in the direction of your approach using any tussocks for support.
If you become immobilised try to get behind some vegetation for shelter, put on spare clothing and use a survival bag.

Estuaries, mudflats, saltmarshes

Use of a mobile phone or suitable alternative is mandatory in these areas.
If the water encountered is > 1 m a specific risk assessment is required for the activity.
Careful preparation is important before undertaking work in these areas- awareness of the tidal times is essential.
Always carry a compass in case mist or fog develop suddenly and obscures the shoreline.
Estuaries, mudflats and saltmarshes are, in general, very exposed and can be very cold; the limitations on working time, due to tides, may also result in work having to be carried out early in the morning or late in the evening.
Suitable clothing and footwear are essential.
Make allowances for local conditions and changes in the weather, e. g. a change to an on-shore wind can bring forward the time of high tide. When the terrain is flat the tide advances quickly and work should be planned to allow ample time for exit before the flood tide starts to advance across the work area.
Coastal areas are often crossed by deep creeks or channels- the depth and the nature of the bottom of any such feature should be determined using a stout pole before any attempt is made to wade across.
The conditions underfoot are often highly variable and can be dangerous, e. g. quicksands, soft mud. When traversing soft mud test before each footstep, probing ahead with a pole.
If the mud becomes too soft and the feet sink in, it is essential not to make violent movements to try to get free as this inevitably makes the situation worse. If your boots or waders become stuck then gradually slip one foot out and rest the leg on the surface and gradually free the other foot. When lying on the surface the weight distribution is such that one does not usually sink. Proceed to firm ground using a "leopard crawl" (spread-eagled face down, keeping the maximum area of your body in contact with the ground all the time).
Avoid quicksands, but if caught in one, call for help and use the "leopard crawl" to return to firm ground.
Always obtain and consult maps.
Make careful estimates of the job duration and then plan each visit allowing ample time for access and exit.
Obtain a detailed local weather forecast immediately before departure; do not attempt any work if the weather forecast is unsatisfactory, including risk of being caught in fog or mist.
Check equipment on each occasion before setting out, replace any faulty units and report the fault to a member of staff so that the unit is not offered for use again until the fault has been rectified.
Do not prepare too heavy a load to carry. Use a mudflat sledge.
Always have some means of attracting attention in case of difficulty. Wear high visibility clothing. Carry a torch and whistle.

Forests

Hazards associated with forests include the difficulty of movement and limited visibility. It is easy to become lost and if you do have an accident, it may be difficult for you to be found or for you to find the way out.
Work in woods and forests is commonly more tiring than elsewhere- plan your work accordingly.
Always notify the local gamekeeper, forestry offices or other responsible persons of your presence, probable location and departure.
Try to keep your position continually in mind. If you do become lost, backtracking is generally more helpful than carrying on in the hope that things will improve. A map of the district and compass should be carried at all times.
Try to avoid areas where growth is dense and the nature of the ground and any obstructions or holes are obscured; also watch for whiplash or branches.
Rocks and boulders and fallen trees in forests frequently bear a covering of moss and are slippery when wet. Screes in forests should be avoided whenever practicable.
If climbing steep slopes, take great care not to rely too heavily on vegetation for support, it may not be as firmly fixed as you hope.
Do not smoke at times of high fire risk, or as decreed by local forestry regulations. Smoking is not recommended in forested areas. Also take care not to leave anything that might start a fire - glass for example.
Do not park your vehicle so as to block tracks or fire breaks.
Do not climb forest observation towers unless you are accompanied.

Railways, motorways, main roads etc

Special permission is required and must be obtained before conducting any work on or beside railways and motorways. You must comply with safety regulations laid down by the relevant authority e.g. Highways Agency
High visibility clothing is obligatory.
On working railways, you should never enter tunnels without prior authority and should exercise particular care in rock cuttings where space is generally limited.
Permission is not required to work on or alongside roads other than motorways but for safety purposes they should be regarded similarly. It is particularly important to display a clear warning signal when you are working near bends, hill crests or in narrow cuttings and to employ a lookout if this is feasible. Be extra careful if there is a strong wind blowing.
Follow the Highway Code. Personal security is a particularly important issue when working near roads.