Laboratory management

1. Field Safety
GES 394
Revised by Mr. Brian Oram
http://www.water-research.net

2. Three Main Goals !
Everyone comes home Safe !
We have a fun productive learning
experience.
The equipment and supplies return to
Wilkes University in Good Working Order.

3. Primary Field Problems
• Injury – Trip and Fall Hazards
• Improper Clothing (poor foot wear, etc)
• Work Overload – 12 hours of field work in 8 hours
• Heat Stroke – Heat Exhaustion
• Hypothermia
• Dehydration
• Sun Burn
• Contact with the Wildlife- ticks, snakes, etc
• Automobile Incidents
• The Public and Us !
• Getting Lost – compass, local map, GPS, and road map.

4. Trip and Fall Injuries
No Jumping Off Rock Outcrops !
Keep Laboratory, Field Areas, and
Office – Pick Up and Secure

5. Prepare for Conditions
Know the work conditions and the environment.
What specific safety equipment is needed ?
Know the work hazards ?
Bring a field first aid kit ?
Let Someone or at least two people know where you are going and when you
will return?
Bring water, flashlight, matches, and a snack – Just in Case !
What work clothing is required- Check the Weather Forecast ?
Work in Pairs (Team Approach !).
For all field work, the field clothing will include long panties and hiking boots.

6. Bad Clothing Choices
for Most of Our Work !

7. Field Clothing- Better Choices !
1) Hats – as Needed !
2) Boots – Steel Toes (optional)
3) Sneakers – NO !
4) Eye Wear – Safety Glasses as
Needed !
Prescription Glasses – YES
Contacts – Not Recommended
5) Hard Hat – Not Required in Most
Cases
6) Safety Vests (as needed)
Note: Test Pits over 4 feet are
Confined Spaces !

8. Heat Cramps and Heat Exhaustion
Heat Cramps
Heat Cramps are muscle contractions, usually in the gastrocnemius Or
hamstring muscles (the muscles at the back of the calves). These
contractions are forceful and painful. These cramps seem to be connected to
heat, dehydration, and poor conditioning, rather than to lack of salt or other
mineral imbalances. They usually improve with rest, drinking water, and a
cool environment.
Heat Exhaustion
Although partly due to exhaustion -- and feeling like exhaustion, as the name
implies -- heat exhaustion is also a result of excessive heat and dehydration.
The signs of heat exhaustion include paleness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting,
fainting, and a moderately increased temperature (101-102 degrees F). Rest
and water may help in mild heat exhaustion, and ice packs and a cool
environment (with a fan blowing) may also help. More severely
exhausted patients may need IV fluids, especially if vomiting keeps them
from drinking enough. Severe Cases – Go to the Hospital !

9. Heat Stroke
Result of long, Extreme exposure to the Sun, Humid
Environments, or unvented environments (Level A
and Level B Protection).
Your body does not have enough water to sweat
enough to reduce body temperature.
Can develop rapidly – I have only seen this happen, but we
were working in teams.
Requires immediate medical treatment
Symptoms: disorientation, not sweating, rapid pulse.

10. Heat Stroke
Avoid heat stroke:
• Stay hydrated. Drink lots of water and sports drinks. Avoid tea,
coffee, soda and alcohol.
• Wear lightweight, tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in light
colors.
• Avoid strenuous hiking or digging in the heat of the day.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses.
• Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used
to the heat.
• Take frequent drink breaks; If it’s going to be really hot, mist
yourself with a spray bottle to avoid becoming overheated.
• Try to avoid outdoor work on very hot and humid days

11. Heat Stress (Symptoms)

12. Dehydration- We Have a Choice !
Bad Decisions !
• Drink alcohol- rather than water
• Go to work sick
• Overwork
• Work hard in sunny, dry and/or
windy weather
• Work by Yourself
• Do Not Watch Out for Field Team
Good Decisions !
• Bring Adequate Water
• Drink Water- Eat Fruit
• Wear Proper Clothing
• Take a Break at Regular Intervals
• Watch out for Team
• Eat Breakfast, Lunch, and other
meals and Bring a Snack
(Smaller Meals are Better !)
• Wear a Hat and if necessary sun
block.

13. Hypothermia- Excess Loss of Body Heat
Not Just in the Winter !
Excess loss of body heat
• Symptoms:
– Shivering
– Disorientation
– Very cold hands and feet
– Drop of temperature in body
core
Avoid hypothermia:
• wear a hat; 80% of
body heat can be lost through an
uncovered head
• stay dry; wet clothing
sucks heat from your body
• dress in layers; if you
warm up and start to sweat,
peel off layers to stay dry
• wool retains much of its heat-
holding capacity even when
wet

14. Hypothermia- More Tips
Avoid hypothermia:
• a scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
• sleeves that are snug at the wrist
• mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
• water-resistant coat and shoes –
Stay Dry ! Layer Clothing.
• Wool, silk, or polypropylene inner layers of
clothing hold more body heat than cotton

15. Hypothermia
Get Help ! – This is why
The body system is so
Important.

16. Overexposure to Sun
This can happen in the Winter !
Avoid sunburn:
• wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30
• wear a hat
• wear sunscreen-rated clothing
• stay out of the sun as much as possible
between 10am and 2pm
Image Source: jadesphotolife.blogspot.com/

17. Van and Vehicle Safety
• Seat belts on driver and every passenger, all the
time, no exceptions.
• Drive within the posted speed limit and in a safe
manner for the conditions.
• Remember the Van has a LOGO – Someone will
call !
• At least one person in vehicle has a cellular
phone with a call list.
• Vans driven only by Wilkes University Employees
(includes Work Study Students)

18. The Environment- “The Wildlife”
Plus Spiders, Ants, Bees and large predators
DO NOT Forget the Bacteria, Protozoa, Fungi,
Worms and other organisms living in the soil.
!

19. Ticks
Deer Ticks carry Rocky Mountain
Spotted Fever and Lyme disease
(bacteria)
Symptoms: up to 2 weeks after bite
Rash, fever, aches in joints or
muscles
The bullseye rash is an early symptom of Lyme disease. Lyme
disease is caused by the bite of an infected tick. Proper treatment
with antibiotics is mandatory. If untreated, Lyme disease may
progress to a chronic stage that can be disabling and difficult to
cure

20. Falling Off Ledges- Not Good !
Even If Your Swimsuit is ON
Yes, this can happen.
Watch where you put your feet,
especially when you are looking
through a camera
Work in pairs.
Check ledges before putting your full
weight on them.
Just Stay as Far away as Possible !
Stop Jumping Off the Rocks !!!!

21. Field Etiquette
Close fences and Leave the Area as You Found.
Respect private property – This is good reason to have a camera.
Bring your trash home – do not bury or leave your trash Or waste when in field
Fill in holes, test pits, auger holes, percolation holes, shovel pits, and cores.
When walking stay at least 6 feet behind the other person.

22. Call Before You Dig-Drill- Blast !
The PA ONE Call
Pennsylvania One Call System is a non-profit Pennsylvania
corporation created to protect the underground facilities of
members through communication with any person (s) planning
To disturb the earth.
Identifies utility right-of-ways ! (Gas, Electric, Telephone,
Pipeline, Water, Cable TV, Fiber Optics/ Telecommunications,
and Local Governments.
Remember: Please call 3 working days before digging. It’s the
law, and the safest thing to do.
http://www.pa1call.org
Phone: 1-800-248-1786
925 Irwin Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15122

23. The PA ONE Call
Color Code
Temporary Marking Standard – ANSI Stnd Z535.1
http://www.pa1call.org
White – Proposed Excavation
Pink – Temporary Survey Markings
Red – Electric Power Lines, Cables, Conduit, and Lighting Cables
Yellow- Gas, Oil, Steam, Petroleum, or Gaseous Materials
Orange – Communications, Alarm or Signal Lines, Cables Or Conduit
and Traffic Loops
Blue – Potable Water
Purple – Reclaimed Water, Irrigation, and Slurry Lines
Green – Sewers and Drain Line
Phone: 1-800-248-1786
925 Irwin Run Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15122
American National Standards Institute - ANSI

24. Biggest Field Danger !
A Human Brain that is NOT THINKING !
THINK BEFORE YOU ACT !!!!!

25. Field Safety
GES 394
Revised by Mr. Brian Oram
Wilkes University
http://www.water-research.net
Unknown Seepage
Chemical/ Biological
Hazard
Equipment Hazards
Multiple Hazards – Note Hearing
and Head Protection