Common Field Hazards

Fact Sheets & Resources

The appendix of this manual will expand with additional technical topics as they are compiled and developed. To request or suggest content, please email sarasouza@berkeley.edu.

Common Field Hazards

Environmental Hazards

Heat Illness: Online Heat Illness Prevention training is now available for outdoor work through the UC Learning Center (search using the keyword “heat”, course length is 15-20 minutes); or contact your campus EH&S department for local training options and plans.

• Wildland Fire (NEW)
• Poisonous Plants (NIOSH)
• Guide to Drinking Water Treatment in the Backcountry (CDC)
• Hygiene in the Field (UCSC)

Wildlife

• Common snakes
• Common spiders of California (Essig Museum, UC Berkeley)
• Pests that injure
• Poisonous plants
• Bear safety
• Mountain Lions in California (CDFW)
• Rattlesnakes in California (CDFW)

Infectious organisms/diseases

• Valley fever
• Lyme disease
• Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (California Department of Public Health)
• Giardiasis (California Department of Public Health)
• Tick Removal Video (NY Department of Health)
• Zika Virus Updates (California Department of Public Health)
• West Nile Virus Fact Sheet (California Department of Public Health)
• Hantavirus (Centers for Disease Control)
• Other Vector-borne Diseases (California Department Public Health)
• Safety Guidelines for Field Researchers (UC Berkeley EH&S Publication – not updated recently – but this document has served as a model for many university field safety programs)

International Planning Resources

• Infectious Diseases and Travelers’ Health - Search by Destination (Centers for Disease Control)
• Travel Advisories by Location (US Department of State)
• Worldcue Trip Planner (requires UC login)

Extreme Conditions & Weather

• Weather Forecasts (NOAA)
• Cold Stress – Preventing Hypothermia and Frostbite (NIOSH)
• Extreme Cold Weather Clothing (US Antarctic Program)
• Backcountry Avalanche Safety (National Ski Patrol)
• Lightning Safety (eLCOSH)
• Winter Storm and Other Emergency Preparedness (American Red Cross)
• Acute High Altitude Illnesses (New England Journal of Medicine, 2013)

Wildlife Biology

• Guidelines for use of wild animals in research and teaching (American Society of Mammologists)
• Guidelines to the Use of Wild Birds in Research (Ornithological Council)
• Science Guidelines (American Fisheries Society)
• Resources, Collection & Curation Practices (American Society of Ichthyologists & Herpetologists)
• Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel (National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians)
• Fish & wildlife training modules (Canadian Council on Animal Care)
• Health Risks for Marine Mammal Works (UC Davis Vet Medicine, 2008)
• Disease Precautions for Hunters (AVMA)

Specialized Work (in development)

• Scientific Diving & Boating
• Driving safety: UCSC primer on vans, off road driving, trailers; Caltrans Road Conditions
• Off Road/4WD Driving
• ATVs: Example program from UC Ag & Natural Resources
• Tree Climbing
• Tower Climbing
• Working around excavations
• Operating powered equipment:
  Example JHA template (UCSB)
  Berkeley JSA library for Field and Grounds Equipment & Tools
• Field Station JSA library in progress
• Drones (UC Unmanned Aircraft Systems Safety)

Common Field Situations

• Avoiding getting lost (or staying found) (UCSC)
• Swimming safety (UCSC)
• Personal hygiene and water sanitation (NEW, in development)

Leave No Trace & Outdoor Ethics

• Master Educator Manual
• North American Booklet

Community Studies, Human Subjects Research

• Working Alone Off-Site (CCOHS Fact Sheet):
  http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/workingalone_offsite.html
• Guidelines for Social Worker Safety:
  Guidelines for Social Worker Safety (NASW)
• Safety of Journalists:
  http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/freedom-of-expression/safety-of-journalists/
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/en/collections/safety