Sue Holden School of Applied SciencesFIELD WORK SAFETY.docx

Sue Holden
School of Applied Sciences
FIELD WORK SAFETY
PUBH 1369
Laboratory and Fieldwork
Safety
Introduction
Before the commencement of any field activity it is
essential that a preliminary site visit is undertaken to
identify possible hazards and to ensure that the
sampling sites chosen provide safe points of access.
Once specific hazards have been identified, a risk
assessment is completed and risk control measures
identified and implemented.
There is also a need to develop staff training
programs to ensure that staff are up to speed with
field safety protocols and the safe operation of field
equipment etc.
Safety in the Field

Off Campus Activities include:
Site Visits
Field Work
• Surface water studies of rivers and streams
• Wetland studies
• Groundwater monitoring
• Soil profiling and sampling
• Ecology Studies
Camps and work related projects
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
used in Field Activities
� Protective Footwear (boots, runners / gumboots)
� Long sleeved shirts and trousers
� Wet weather / windproof clothing
� Hats – wide-brimmed / beanies
� Sunglasses
� Sunscreen
� Insect Repellent
� Waders
� Gloves

� Safety Vests (roadside work)
� Tie long hair back
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Field Activities 1
Protective Footwear
Gum Boots for wet and
muddy conditions
Boots protect the whole foot
Protective Clothing
Long Sleeved Shirts and Trousers
offer protection from bites and
stings and UV Radiation
Beanie to
reduce heat loss
through the
head in cold

conditions
Protective
gloves
Waders
Surface Water Sampling
Toolern Creek, Melton
Long hair tied
back Broad-brimmed
hat and
sunglasses
protect against
UV-radiation
Surface Water
Sampling
Merri Creek,
Craigieburn
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in field activities 5
Safety Vests are worn when working on a

construction site or by the roadside
Safety Signage – Field Sites
General Fieldwork Safety Requirements
� Get a good night’s sleep
� Ensure you have a healthy breakfast
� Dress appropriately for the weather and the activity
� Protective footwear is mandatory – gum boots are
recommended in
wet conditions
� Drinking water should be carried
� Never enter bush environments alone – two or more people
must
be present
� Inform supervisors immediately if you have sustained an
injury or
are feeling unwell
� Students must always inform their supervisor of any planned
expeditions
Field Trip Safety Checklist

� Conduct a field trip risk assessment for each excursion,
field trip and camp.
� Conduct a safety briefing session prior to each field activity.
Ensure staff/students are aware of safety requirements.
� Provide PPE as required – eg. gloves, sunscreen, insect
repellent, towels, change of clothes (tracksuit)
� Check Condition of PPE
� Check condition of all field equipment
� Instruct staff/students on the safe use of field equipment
� Wash down all field equipment after use
Field Safety and First Aid
� Ensure that a current first aider is in attendance on all field
trips – Intermediate Level 2
� A Field First Aid Kit (fully stocked) and mobile phone
should be taken on all field trips
Field First Aid Kits:
Soft pack –fold out and backpack styles are available from a
number of suppliers including St. Johns Ambulance and Red
Cross
Field Safety and First Aid

Inform supervisors immediately if you or a co-worker
sustains an injury whilst in the field:
Reportable Injuries:
► Bites or Stings
► Cuts, lacerations and abrasions (grazes)
► Burns - radiation (sunburn), chemical or electrical
► Sprains, strains or suspected fractures
► Feeling the effects of exposure to extremes of hot or cold
► If you have suffered a fall or been immersed in water
► A Field First Aid Kit is taken on all field trips
► Sunscreen and insect repellent are provided
Communication
� Mobile Phones
� Satellite Phones
Emergency Beacons
� Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
– Marine Environments
� Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – remote inland
locations

� Emergency Signalling Strobes – to assist rescue
services (particularly in low light conditions)
Emergency Procedures
� Activate beacons in an emergency situation
� Beacons assist air, land or sea rescue services to your
precise location
� Beacons are registered on-line with the Beacon
Registration Section, AusSAR Australian Maritime Safety
Authority
� Australian National Rescue Co-ordination Centre
24 Hour Emergency Contact
Emergency Beacons
Emergency Beacons
Personal Locator
Beacon (PLB) with GPS
COSPAS – SARSAT System
Global search and rescue
service

Digital radio transmitter emits
a distress signal at 406 MHz
Geostationary satellites – give
an immediate alerting function
Polar orbiting satellites – can
accurately resolve an active
beacon’s location
GPS receiver relays the
latitude and longitude of the
beacon
Emergency
Signalling Strobe
� Assist rescue services
in locating your position
� Visible up to 3 km
� Strobe light attaches
easily to lifejacket or
wet weather gear
� Suitable for low-light
conditions

Conducting a Field Trip Risk Assessment
Step 1. Identify Hazards
• Physical – eg. water hazards, manual handling, exposure
to heat and cold
• Chemical – eg. chemical pollutants associated with
environmental samples / sample preservation reagents
• Biological – eg. biological pathogens associated with
environmental samples
• Radiation – exposure to UV Radiation
Proposed sampling sites should be inspected prior to
undertaking any field activities in order to identify potential
hazards and to assess safe access points.
Step 2. Assess the Risk – low, medium or high risk
What is the probability or likelihood of an incident
occurring?
• daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, once every 5-10 years
What are the consequences?
• major or minor injury, lost time injury
Step 3. Prepare and Implement Risk Control Measures
What is Risk Control?

• identifying practical measures for eliminating or
reducing the likelihood of injury or illness
• implementing these measures
• continually reviewing these measures to ensure their
effectiveness
Step 3. Prepare and Implement Risk Control Measures
Hierarchy of Control
1. Elimination – eliminate the process / task
2. Substitute safer alternatives – eg. choose a sampling
site that provides safe access for students
3. Engineering controls – includes isolating people from
hazard
4. Administration controls – policies, procedures,
instruction and training
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Step 4. Actions in case of emergency
Hazards in the Field
► Bites and Stings

► Exposure to UV Radiation
► Working in Heat
► Hypothermia
► Water Hazards - Physical, Chemical and Biological
► Soil Hazards – Physical, Chemical and Biological
► Traffic Hazards
► Changing Weather Conditions
► Electrical Hazards - Electric Fences, Lightning
► Manual Handling
Bites and Stings
Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia to 2005 Report
Clare Bradley May 2008
This report describes bites and stings cases
that required hospitalisation in the period July
2002 to June 2005
• total of 11,602 cases of venomous bites and stings
required hospitalisation in this 3 year period

• average 3867 cases per year
• one third (33.5%)of cases were spider bites - most
frequently red back spiders
• bee stings accounted for nearly one quarter (23.7%) of
cases
Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia to 2005 Report
Clare Bradley May 2008
• Venomous snake bites contributed to 15.1% of
hospitalisations
• Males accounted for 63.3% of all cases
• Mean age of a person admitted to hospital was 34.5
years
• Only three cases resulted in death in this period
1 x brown snake envenomation
1 x tiger snake envenomation
1 x box jellyfish sting
Bites and Stings 1
Bites and Stings that may be encountered during fieldwork
include:
• Snake Bites – venomous snakes such as brown snakes,

tiger snakes, copperheads and red- bellied black snakes
• Insect Stings – bees, wasps, mosquitoes, ants and ticks
• Spider Bites – Redback and White-Tailed Spiders
• Animal Bites
• Plant Stings
– eg. Tiger Pear
Bites and Stings 2
Victorian Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae
Common or Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis
• Brown snakes are now responsible for the majority of
snakebite deaths in Australia.
• mostly active during the day, except in very hot weather
• prefers dry country to swampy areas
Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus
• Tiger snake bites are currently one of the most
common snake bites in Australia.
• Tiger snakes are active in warm weather
• attracted to swamps, marshes, creeks, rivers or dams
Bites and Stings 2

Copperhead Austrelaps superbus
• active during the day (active at night on hot days)
• may be active in weather generally considered too cold
for snakes
• attracted to swamps, rivers and creeks
• bites to humans are rare as copperheads are generally
slow to strike and may be inaccurate
Bites and Stings 2
Bites and Stings 2
Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus
• Jet black above and deep red to pink lower lateral
and belly scales
• Found near water courses, swamps or in forests
• Feed predominantly on frogs
• Generally inoffensive and reluctant to bite
Bites and Stings 3
Risk Factors Include:
� Warm weather
� Long grass

� Water environments - rivers, streams and wetlands
� Snakes, spiders and insects may be hidden under
rocks, fallen trees and logs and smaller pieces of wood
Composition of Snake Venoms - Family Elapidae
Consist of a complex mixture of components rather than
a single toxin
1. Neurotoxins
• Cause paralysis by acting on nerves (nerve damage)
• Found in the venom of tiger snakes
• Antivenom not very effective at reversing its effects
2. Myotoxins
• Dissolve muscle cells causing them to dissolve and
release their contents into the blood
• Damage muscle cells within an hour after an effective
bite
• Muscle destruction (myolysis) is a common effect of
tiger snake bites

Composition of Snake Venoms - Family Elapidae
3. Procoagulants
• Act against the clotting action of the blood
• Destroy the clotting protein
• Put the victim at risk of severe bleeding
• Common in the venom of brown snakes and tiger
snakes
• Common cause of death from snakebite
Bites and Stings 4
Related Injuries include:
Snake Bite:
� Nausea and vomiting
� Headache
� Altered conscious state
� Double /blurred vision
� Problems with speaking or swallowing
� Weakness in extremities and/or paralysis

� Respiratory distress
Bites and Stings 5
Spider Bites:
Redback Spider
� Pain at bite site
� Swelling
� Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
� Heavy sweating
White -Tailed Spider
� Burning pain at bite site
� Swelling and itchiness at site
� Weals, blisters
� Local ulceration
Bites and Stings 6
Insect Stings:
� Pain, soreness and aching around affected area
� Swelling and redness around site
Allergic Reactions – bees and European wasps

� Itching and Rashes
� Swollen Eyelids
� Wheezing
� Respiratory distress
Bites and Stings 7
Risk control measures:
☺ Wear strong, sturdy protective footwear – boots,
gumboots
☺ Wear long sleeved shirts, trousers and socks
☺ Make a lot of noise when walking in the bush
☺ Avoid walking in long grass where possible
☺ Keep to walking tracks where possible
☺ Do not attempt to catch or handle snakes
☺ Do not rely on visual identification of snakes as non-
venomous, as appearances and coloration may vary
considerably within species

Bites and Stings 8
Risk control measures continued:
☺ Be alert in and around water – favourite haunt of
snakes
☺ Don’t reach into long grass or hollow logs
☺ When stepping over logs, carefully inspect the
ground on either side
☺ Avoid lifting rocks and pieces of wood
☺ Wear insect repellent
☺ Do not feed or handle wild animals
Exposure to UV Radiation
Exposure to UV Radiation 1
• Exposure to ultra-violet radiation in sunlight is the
major cause of skin cancer in Australia.
• Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in
the world.
• In Victoria, UV radiation is most intense from

September to April.
� 10.00am to 2.00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST)
� 11.00am to 3.00pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time
(EDST)
� Exposure Time
� Intensity of Exposure
� Season – risk is highest in summer and lowest in winter
� Reflective Surfaces such as water, sand, rock, cement
and snow
� Radiation burns (sunburn)
� Pain
� Blisters
� Eye damage
� Cataracts

� Skin cancer
☺ Limit exposure time
☺ Work at times when UV exposure is less intense
☺ Wear long sleeved shirts (with collar) and trousers
☺ Clothing should be loose fitting for coolness
☺ Wear a broad-brimmed hat
☺ Wear sunglasses
☺ Wear sunscreen 30+ broad spectrum (reapply
regularly
☺ Seek natural shade eg. trees
Exposure to UV Radiation - Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) 1
SLIP on a shirt – long
sleeved with collar
Long Trousers

Remember to
SLIP, SLOP SLAP
Exposure to UV Radiation - Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE) 2
SLOP on sunscreen SLAP on a hat – broad-brimmed
and sunglasses
Working in Heat
Working in Heat 1
Heat Related Illnesses
Heat Exhaustion
• A form of shock caused by depletion of body fluids
• Results from overexposure to a hot environment
Heat Stroke
• Life threatening condition
• condition where the body’s temperature regulating and
cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed
• Body systems begin to fail

Working in Heat 2
� High temperatures
� Radiant heat
� High humidity
� Physical workload / physical activity
� Dehydration
� Excessive clothing
� Low air movement
� Affects on concentration, increasing the risk of
accidents
Working in Heat 3
� Muscular cramps
� Skin rashes
Heat Exhaustion

� Mild shock
� Cool, moist pale skin
� Headache
� Nausea
� Dizziness / weakness
� Fainting
� Sweating, thirst
� Rapid, weak pulse
� Moderately elevated body temperature
Working in Heat 4
☺ Limit exposure time
☺ Work in cooler part of the day
☺ Wear light loose fitting clothing that also provides
adequate protection
☺ Share tasks between team members
☺ Reduce time spent doing task (job rotation)
☺ Work at a sensible pace

☺ Take frequent breaks
☺ Drink water at regular intervals to avoid dehydration
☺ Rest in a cool shady spot if fatigued
Cold Emergencies
Hypothermia
Hypothermia 1
Hypothermia (Exposure)
• Condition where human body temperature falls below
35oC
• Normal body temperature is 37oC
• Caused by excessive heat loss due to inadequate
protection from wet, cold and windy conditions
Hypothermia 2
� Inadequate protection from wet, cold and windy

conditions
� Exposure time
� Intensity of Exposure
� Immersion in cold water
� Exhaustion and hunger also contribute
Hypothermia 3
� Shivering
� Numbness
� Slurred speech
� Mental confusion
� Impaired awareness
� Slow, irregular pulse
� Decreasing level of consciousness
Hypothermia 4

☺ Dress for weather and activity
☺ Wear waterproof and windproof outer clothing
☺ Dress in layers to trap warm air, and to allow you to
take off layers if necessary, to avoid sweating
☺ Wear a warm head covering (eg. beanie), gloves and
scarves
☺ Keep dry – being wet from rain, sweating or immersion
in cold water causes heat loss
☺ Bring a change of clothes and a towel
Water Hazards
Water - Physical Hazards 1
Field work is undertaken in a diverse range of aquatic
environments.
• inland waters (rivers, streams, lakes, dams and wetlands)
• open water (sea, ocean)
• natural and constructed drainage systems

• waste water streams
Physical hazards associated with
aquatic activities:
� Drowning hazards
� Tripping and slipping hazards
� Bleeding – cuts, open wounds
� Fractures
� Breathing emergencies
� Head / spinal injuries
� Unconsciousness
� Hypothermia (exposure)
on immersion in cold water

Water Safety
Water Safety 1
The following water safety rules should be observed when
working in and around water.
☺ Avoid unsafe sampling sites
☺ Ensure there is reasonable and safe access to sites in all
weather conditions
☺ Check weather conditions and watch for changes in the
weather eg. approaching thunderstorms
Water Safety 2
Water Safety Rules continued:
☺ Appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn
☺ Two or more people must be present
☺ Bring a change of clothes and a towel when
undertaking aquatic activities – immersion in cold water

may lead to hypothermia
Water Safety 3
When wading in inland creeks and streams:
☺ Check water depth
☺ Check area thoroughly for hidden rocks, drop-offs or
holes
☺ Check for swift currents, high stream velocities,
floating debris, snags etc.
☺ Check for the presence of soft mud or quicksand
☺ Stay away from unstable banks (weak or crumbling)
Water - Chemical Hazards 1
Chemical hazards associated with aquatic activities:
� Chemical contaminants in water samples
� Collection, Handling and Preservation of water samples

� Analysis of water samples on-site
Water - Biological Hazards 1
Biological hazards associated with aquatic activities:
Biological pathogens in water samples include:
� Helminths – eg. tapeworm
� Bacteria – eg. salmonella and E Coli
� Viruses – eg. Hepatitis A
� Protozoa
� Fungi
Water – Chemical and Biological Hazards 1
Water samples collected during fieldwork, come from a
diverse range of sources thus the hazards associated with
each sample will vary.
It is important to treat all water samples as potentially
hazardous.
► Surface waters - rivers, streams etc
► Ground waters – bores and wells

► Waste waters – industrial and
storm water
► Marine waters
Route of Exposure – water samples
► Skin Absorption – through open wounds
► Contact with Eye
► Ingestion – via eating and drinking in the field
► Inhalation of toxic gases eg. hydrogen sulphide (H2S)
(ground and wastewaters)
� Chemical Burns
� Skin irritation (dermatitis)
� Skin and eye infections
� Irritation/inflammation of nose, throat and lungs

� Respiratory infections
� Food poisoning
� Gastroenteritis
� Diarrhea, nausea and fever
� Hepatitis A
☺ Avoid contact with open wounds – cover any cuts / scratches
with a clean, dry bandage
☺ Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes and nose when handling
samples
☺ Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum whilst handling
samples
☺ Wear gloves when collecting and preserving water samples
☺ Thoroughly wash hands with an appropriate disinfectant such
as Hibiclens at completion of field work
☺ Wash down all field equipment after use
☺ Wash work clothes regularly

Soil Hazards
Chemical hazards associated with soil activities:
Chemical contaminants in soil samples
� Collection and handling of soil samples
� Analysis of soil samples on-site
Soil - Chemical Hazards 1
Soil - Biological Hazards 1
Biological hazards associated with soil activities:
Biological pathogens in soil samples include:
� Bacteria - eg. Tetanus
� Viruses
� Protozoa

Soil – Chemical and Biological Hazards 1
Route of Exposure – Soil samples
► Skin Absorption / Contact – through open wounds
► Contact with Eye
► Ingestion – via eating and drinking in the field
► Inhalation – fine soil particles may be inhaled
� Skin irritation (dermatitis)
� Skin Infections
� Eye infections
� Irritation/inflammation of nose, throat and lungs
� Respiratory infections
� Hayfever
� Asthma

☺ Avoid contact with open wounds – cover any cuts / scratches
with a clean, dry bandage
☺ Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes and nose when handling
samples
☺ Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum whilst handling
samples
☺ Wear gloves when collecting soil samples
☺ Thoroughly wash hands with an appropriate disinfectant such
as
Hibiclens at completion of field work
☺ Wash down all field equipment after use
☺ Wash work clothes regularly
☺ Tetanus immunisation
Traffic Hazards
Traffic Hazards 1
When undertaking fieldwork, students may be required

to work by the roadside due to the location of specific
sampling sites.
Sources of Risk:
� Working near the roadside – poor visibility
� Working on a construction site
� Working on a farm
� Working on a factory site
� Crossing roads
� Severe bleeding – external /internal
� Fractures
� Internal injuries
� Head injuries
� Shock
Traffic Hazards 2
Traffic Hazards 3

Risk Control Measures:
☺ Be aware of approaching traffic at all times
☺ Keep well away from road
☺ Wear a high visibility garment - safety vest
High Visibility Safety Garments
Garments should comply with Australian and
New Zealand Standard 4602: 1999
• High visibility
• Designed for both day and night use
• Retro-reflective strips on a fluorescent, high
visibility material
• Colours for normal purposes are red- orange or
yellow
• Safety vests must remained fastened at all
times
High Visibility Safety Vest for Day and Night Use

Front Back
Fluorescent Colours Retro-reflective Strip
Garment Labelling
Requirements under
Standard AS/NZ 4602:1999
Retro-reflective Strips
Changes in
Weather Conditions
Changes in Weather Conditions
Check weather conditions before undertaking
fieldwork
► Watch for changes in the weather eg.
approaching thunderstorms and lightning
► Avoid working near or under trees in windy
conditions – increased risk of falling trees and
branches
Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards 1
Electrical hazards associated with field work:
Sources of Risk:
� Electric fences and gates
� Lightning Strike- open fields and paddocks
Electrical Hazards 2
� Electric Shock
� Electrical Burns – current entry and exit wounds
� Unconsciousness
� Dazed, confused behaviour
� Breathing difficulty - respiratory arrest
� Weak, irregular or absent pulse - cardiac arrest
� Loss of hearing / eyesight – lightning strike
� Fractures – lightning strike

Electrical Hazards – Lightning Strike
Lightning strikes occur when a person is the tallest
feature in a landscape such as an open field or paddock.
☺ Stop work immediately and seek shelter from
approaching thunderstorm eg. inside building or vehicle
(wind up windows)
☺ Cease aquatic activities immediately as water
conducts electricity
☺ Avoid tall trees and telephone poles
☺ Avoid wire fences, metal rails etc – conduct electricity
☺ Only use a telephone in an emergency
Electrical Hazards – Electric Fences 1
☺ Wear gum boots - helps to reduce electric shock
☺ Take care when climbing through electric fences
☺ Ask landholders to turn off electric fences where

possible
Electrical Hazards – Electric Fences 2
Gum Boots help to reduce electric shock
Waterproof Jacket
offers protection
from rainy and
windy conditions
Note: Electrical Hazard
Electric Fence
Manual Handling
Manual Handling 1
What is Manual Handling?
Manual handling covers a wide range of activities
including:
► Lifting
► Pushing
► Pulling

► Holding
► Throwing
► Carrying
Manual Handling 2
What is Manual Handling?
Manual handling includes repetitive tasks such as:
► Packing
► Typing
► Assembling
► Cleaning and sorting
► Using hand tools
► Operating machinery and equipment
Most jobs/tasks involve some form of manual handling.
Whilst not all manual handling tasks are hazardous, it is
important to note that one quarter of all workplace injuries
are caused by manual handling.
Correct Lifting Technique
• Bend your knees and

keep your back straight.
• Do not bend your back.
• Feet should be shoulder
width apart
• Keep the load as close to
the body as possible.
• Do not twist your body
• Keep your head up – will
help you to maintain a
better position of the spine
• Use your leg muscles to
lift
Manual Handling in the Field 1
Manual handling activities associated with field work
include:
► Assembling and preparation of field equipment
► Loading and unloading of equipment from vehicles
► Carrying field equipment to sampling sites
► Surface water collection and monitoring
► Soil sample collection
Environmental Risk Factors

In all cases Environmental Risk Factors may increase
the risk of injury.
Environmental Risk Factors include:
► exposure to hot weather conditions
► radiant heat from the sun
► high humidity
► low temperatures
Unsafe manual handling may cause a variety of injuries
and conditions including:
� Muscle sprains and strains
� Injuries to muscles, ligaments intervertebral discs and
other structures in the back.
� Injuries to soft tissues such as nerves, ligaments and
tendons in the wrist, arms, shoulders, neck or legs
� Abdominal hernias
� Chronic pain

Loading And Unloading of Vehicles 1
Assessing the Risk:
1. Repetitive and sustained forces
► Pushing, pulling and dragging equipment into and
out of vehicle
► Lifting and lowering equipment into and out of
vehicle
2. Repetitive or sustained postures, movement –
reaching forwards or sideways more than 30cm from
body
Assessing the Risk:
3. Repetitive awkward posture – bending and
twisting back to load items from trolley to vehicle
4. Application of high force when handling heavy
objects in one hand
Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder and
arm strains and pain

Sources of Risk:
� Field equipment may be heavy in load or awkward
to manoeuvre
☺ Get the help of several people to load/unload heavy
items of equipment
☺ Share tasks between all team members
Inform supervisor immediately if sustaining an injury
(sprain, strain, pain)
Carrying Field Equipment To Sampling Sites 1
When undertaking fieldwork, students will be required to
carry field equipment to sampling sites.
Assessing the Risk:
► Sustained forces eg. carrying equipment with one
hand or one side of the body

► Application of high force when handling heavy field
equipment
► Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder and arm
strains and pain
Sources of Risk:
� Field equipment may be either heavy or awkward to
carry.
� Equipment may need to be carried over rough, wet, or
muddy terrain or over long distances.
� The duration of the task will be highly dependant on
vehicle access to sampling sites ie. the greater the
distance that equipment needs to be carried, the longer
the sustained forces.

☺ Vehicles driven as close as possible to sampling
sites in order to reduce the distance that equipment
needs to be carried.
☺ Counter balance loads – carry equipment in both
hands
☺ Get the help of several people to carry equipment
(share the load)
Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 1
Assessing the Risk:
1. Repetitive and sustained posture, movement
► Bending back forwards more than 200 when collecting
samples directly from creek/stream
► Squatting, kneeling to take field measurements
► Reaching forwards, sideways more that 30cm from
body to obtain a sample

Assessing the Risk:
2. Sustained awkward posture of back, neck and arms
when decanting samples from a bucket to a sample
container
3. Sustained application of force to hold or pour
Assessing the Risk:
4. Application of High Force
� Tossing a bucket on rope from water’s edge to obtain
a sample
� Pulling a full bucket of water back to the water’s edge
� Lowering bucket on rope from a raised position eg.
bridge or jetty to obtain a sample
� Pulling up a full bucket of water to a raised position eg.
bridge or jetty
� Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder arm and

wrist strains and pain
Sources of Risk:
� Full buckets of water attached to a rope are quite heavy to
pull any
distance or lift from a height
� Surface water samples may be collected directly by wading
into the
creek or stream if conditions are favourable
� Samples may be taken from the edge of a water body eg.
river, lake,
creek using a bucket on rope
Sources of Risk:
� Samples may be taken from a raised position eg.
bridge or jetty using a bucket on rope if site access
is difficult
� Samples may be taken from a boat

� The duration of the task is variable due to the total
number of samples required and the number of
sampling sites visited
☺ Use a swing sampler (plastic bottle on extendable pole)
Using a swing sampler to collect surface water samples
South Morang Wetlands
Swing Samplers allow the operator to collect a
smaller sample thus reducing risk of injury
Soil Sample Collection 1
Assessing the Risk:
► Repetitive and sustained posture, movement

► Bending back forwards more than 200 when using
spade or auger
► Squatting, kneeling to collect soil samples
► Reaching forward more than 30cm from body to
measure / analyse soil profiles
Assessing the Risk:
� Hand - Arm vibration due to use of spades and augers
� Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder, arm
and wrist strains and pain
Sources of Risk:
� soil samples may be heavy or awkward to lift and
carry
� the duration of task is variable due to the total
number of samples required and the number of

sampling sites visited
References:
1. Hazards of Working in Heat, Worksafe Victoria Guidance
Note 16, October 2001
2. Sun Protection for Construction and other Outdoor Workers,
Worksafe Victoria
Guidance Note 05, February 2004
3. Manual Handling Code of Practice, No 25, 2000
4. Australian Standard / New Zealand, AS/NZS 5667:1-1998,
Water Quality – Sampling,
Part 1: Guidance on the Design of Sampling Programs,
Sampling Techniques and
the Preservation and Handling of Samples
5. Australian / New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 5667:6-1998,
Water Quality – Sampling,
Part 6: Guidance on Sampling of Rivers and Streams
6. A Guide to the Sampling and Analysis of Waters,

Wastewaters, Soils and Wastes,
Environmental Protection Authority, 7th Edition, March 2000
7. Australian Standard AS 4454-2003, Composts, Soil
Conditioners and Mulches
8. Australian Standard AS 4419-2003, Soils for Landscaping
and Garden Use
References:
8. First Aid – Responding to Emergencies, Australian Red
Cross, March 2004
9. Snake Information and Images – www.avru.unimelb.edu.au
10. Australian Museum online: www.amonline.net.au - Spider
and Insect fact sheets
and images
11. Bradley, C., 2008, Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia
to 2005, Injury
Research and Statistics Series Number 40, Australian Institute
of Health and
Welfare, Canberra
12. Australia’s Most Dangerous, 2007, Australian Geographic
Pty. Ltd.

Images used in this presentation:
Images by S. Holden and B. Meehan,
RMIT University
Sample Gant ChartSample Field Work Timeline for PUBH 1369
Laboratory and Fieldwork Safety4 Weeks
PreparationTASKWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Day Prior to
FieldworkDay of Field WorkDay After FieldworkInitial Site
Visit and MeetingsLiaison with external stakeholdersOrganise
personalOrganise vehiclesOrganise accommodation (if
required)Preparation and packing of sampling
equipmentPreparation and packing of sampling ContainersCheck
and Calibrate field metersRisk Assessment and Emergency
ProceduresFieldwork Safety InspectionStaff Training (if
applicable)Staff BriefingLoad Equipment into VehicleUndertake
Field WorkSample delivery and storageUnload Equipment from
vehicleField Work Clean - Up
&L&8&G&R&8Document: &F, &A
Print Date: &D
Page &P of &N
COURSE GUIDE
ASSIGNMENT 4 (30
marks)
FIELDWORK SAFETY REPORT
DUE BY DATE: by Friday 25TH October 2015
This assignment incorporates the following two topic areas:

· Prepare Plans & Quality Assurance Procedures for
Environmental Field Work Activities – Week 11
· Determine Fieldwork Safety requirements & Implement
Appropriate Risk Management & Control Strategies – Week 12.
This assessment task is divided into two parts and requires you
to:
a) Plan and prepare for a field work activity (Part A)
b) Identify field work safety requirements and prepare a risk
assessment, a set of emergency procedures and a safety briefing
for your field activity (Part B)
Two field work scenarios are provided below:
· Soil sampling and collection
· Surface water sampling and monitoring
CHOOSE ONE SCENARIO ONLY (EITHER SCENARIO 1 OR
2).
Answer parts A and B for the scenario you have chosen.
OR
Choose an Alternative Scenario
If you choose to select this option you must email me a project
proposal to be checked by me. Your proposal must answer the
following questions. You must answer Parts A and B of the
assignment as per the other scenarios.
PROJECT PROPOSAL
1. Name and Location of Sampling Site

2. Nature of Sampling Site
· Farm
· Lake
· Wetland
· River or Stream
· Parkland eg. Parks Victoria Site
3. Type of field work
· collection of soil samples
· surface water quality monitoring and sample collection (for
chemical analysis)
· surface water quality monitoring and sample collection (for
biological analysis)
· groundwater monitoring
· vegetation survey
4. Number of Sampling Sites
1. Duration of Fieldwork – 1 day, 2 days, one week
2. Time of Year (month) – eg. January, June, November
PROJECT BRIEF
Part A
Plan and prepare for a field work activity
Your brief is to determine the requirements that you will need
to effectively undertake this fieldwork in a professional and
safe manner. Factors you will need to consider are:
· Staffing Considerations
· Field Work Logistics

· Transport selection / booking vehicles
· Estimated travelling times - to, from and between sites
· Estimated times for meal breaks
· Accommodation
· PIT stops and meal breaks
· Liaison with internal contacts such as academic and technical
staff
· Arranging site access - liaison with external contacts such as
private landholders /parks rangers
· Type of sampling involved
· Field Equipment requirements (specific to type of sampling
being undertaken)
Identification, packing and loading of equipment
Requirements for sample collection, preservation, storage and
transport
Resource Materials on planning and preparing for field trips are
available on the DLS
Part B
Prepare a Risk Assessment for your field activity
Your next task is to prepare a risk assessment, a set of
emergency procedures and a staff safety briefing for your field
work activity. Factors you will need to consider are:
· Type of site
· Identification of hazards associated with sampling at the site
· Assessment of risk associated with these hazards
· Implementation of risk control measures
· Risk Management Strategies
· Emergency Procedures
Resource Materials on how to write a field trip risk assessment
and emergency procedures
will be available on the DLS.

REPORT
Your report should contain the following:
· A detailed explanation of the field work logistics involved for
your activity – include a timeline or Gant Chart
· Explanation of the requirements for sample collection,
preservation, storage and transport
· Include a checklist of equipment requirements for the field
work activity
· Provision for sample delivery to the RMIT laboratory
· A comprehensive risk assessment for your field work activity
· A set of emergency procedures for your field activity
· A dot point list of topics that you would cover in a safety
briefing session to staff undertaking this field work activity
HINT
Your answers need to be specific to the scenario chosen. Using
the information provided on the blackboard site, apply your
knowledge in answering each of the above aspects (in relation
to your scenario). Ensure that your answers are relevant to the
scenario chosen. If you wish to submit a draft (1 draft only) of
your report, I am happy to look at this prior to your final
submission.
FIELD WORK SCENARIOS
FOR BOTH SCENARIOS:
· Depart from RMIT City Campus La Trobe Street
· Return to RMIT City Campus by 5.00pm

· Assume that the Environmental Science twin cab ute is
available for your use
· You have two weeks to organise the sampling event
SCENARIO 1 – SOIL SAMPLING AND COLLECTION
Your supervisor has asked you to organise a field trip to collect
top soil samples (0-10cm) from two properties (farms) in Little
River, Victoria. The travelling distance between the two sites is
5km.
It is your job to plan and prepare for this field activity, taking
into account staffing, transport, equipment, safety and other
considerations. Several staff members are available to undertake
this field work with you.
The fieldwork is to be undertaken in mid-July.
Sample Collection – refer diagram below
Sample collection will involve measuring out four transects at
each site, then constructing four quadrats (10m x 10m) in 20
metre intervals along each transect (total of 16 quadrats per
site).
A total of 50 soil plugs will be collected from each quadrat
using a plug auger. ie, 25 plugs from each 10 metre x 5 metre
section (half quadrat). The top soil will be sampled using a zig
zag pattern (refer diagram). The soil plugs collected at each
quadrat are to be transferred to clearly labelled paper bags
(separate bags for each quadrat).The soil samples will be stored
in plastic crates for transportation back to the laboratory. Your
supervisor would like the sampling completed in one day and
the samples delivered back to the Environmental Science soil
laboratory (city campus) by 5.00pm that afternoon for air
drying.

Site 1
Is a field where sheep graze at regular intervals? The property
has an electric fence and entrance gate. The property is situated
on a treeless plain where it can be very windy. Eastern brown
snakes inhabit this area. Spray control programs for serrated
tussock (an environmental weed) are regularly conducted on this
property.
Site 2
As for Site 1 except that there are no electric fences or gates
surrounding this paddock. A section of this paddock contains
rocky (basaltic) outcrops.
Site 1 Sampling Site Little River
Site 2 Sampling Site Little River
Reference Photo - Sampling top soil inside a quadrat
Soil Sampling – setting up transects and quadrats
SCENARIO 2 – SURFACE WATER MONITORING

Your supervisor has asked you to organise a field trip to
conduct water quality monitoring at two Parks Victoria sites in
the South Morang area (in Melbourne’s northern suburbs). The
travelling distance between the two sites is 5km. It is your job
to plan and prepare for this field activity, taking into account
staffing, transport, equipment, safety and other considerations.
Several staff members are available to undertake this field work
with you.
The fieldwork is to be undertaken in late October.
Sample Collection and Water Quality Monitoring
Field work will involve:
a) the collection of surface water samples for nutrient analysis -
total phosphorus and nitrates
b) the in-situ (on-site) measurement of the following water
quality parameters – temperature, pH, electrical conductivity,
turbidity and dissolved oxygen.
Your supervisor would like the sampling completed in one day
and the samples delivered to the Environmental Science cold
room (city campus) by 5.00pm that afternoon.
Refer to videos on:
· water sample collection
· sample preservation techniques
· use of multi-parameter field meters
Site 1
Site 1 is a disused quarry. The water in the quarry is sourced
from rainfall and the leaching of groundwater. The water depth
is approximately 8 metres.

Site 1 Disused Quarry South Morang
Refer to Video of Mother in Law’s Leap
Site 2
Site 2 is a pond in a constructed wetland. The wetland treats
urban stormwater from a local housing estate. The water depth
is approximately 1 metre.
Site 2 Wetland Pond
Refer to Video of Tanunda Wetland Ponds
Document: Study Guide PUBH1369
Author: Dr Neale Jackson
Save Date: 26/06/2015
Page 1 of 7

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