Field Safety Standard
Purpose
The Field Safety Standard includes procedures used to identify existing and potential field hazards as well as controls required to mitigate or manage associated risks. Hazard assessment and control is the foundation of the University’s Environment, Health and Safety Management System (EHSMS) as only identified hazards can be eliminated or controlled. The objective of this Standard is to reduce risk to as low as is reasonably achievable for field activities related to research and instruction.
Scope
The University has developed and implemented this Field Safety Standard that clearly defines and stipulates the responsibilities of all workplace parties involved in academic research and instruction involving travel and field activities including:
- Domestic Field Research
- Domestic Field Schools and field trips
- International Field Research
- International Field Schools and study groups
- Travel to research stations for Field Research of Field School activities
- Field activities and travel related to team building and skill development under the following conditions:
- Workers are required or expected to attend
- The activity occurs during regular work hours
- Workers are paid to participate
- The ɫ, the Faculty, or the Department is funding the activity (e.g. participants can charge mileage)
The following travel and activities are outside the parameters of this Standard but still have a requirement for completion of a Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA) and may be subject to compliance with the Driver and Vehicle Safety Standard:
- Low hazard travel and trips where there is a low potential for activities to cause physical injury, damage, or adverse health effects to a person, equipment, property, or environment.
- Travel and activities associated with conferences
- Travel where there are no planned field related activities
- Travel by sports teams and clubs
- Practicum activities that are covered under the health and safety management system of another organization
- Recruitment, fundraising, and promotional activities identified on a job profile hazard assessment and control form (HACF)
- Facilities Management (FM), Project Management Office (PMO) related activities
Practicum activities that are covered under the health and safety management system of another organization and registered programs that are publicly accessible are outside the parameters of this Standard.
How does this apply to you?
Standard & Procedures
Implementation of the Standard is accomplished by following a five-step process. Procedures for each step are below.
All procedural documents are built in Microsoft Word. To access, click on the 'View' button. The document will then download and can be opened from your 'Downloads' folder. Ensure you click 'Enable Editing' from the top ribbon before populating any fields within the document.
Field Safety Pre-Trip Planning Procedure and Template
Field Safety Pre-Trip Meeting Procedure and Agenda
Field Safety On-Site Field Activities Procedure and FLHA Template
Field Safety Post-Trip Debrief Procedure and Template
Resource Documents
Please note, the Field Hazard Assessment and Control Library and the Field Emergency Response Plan Library are built in Microsoft Word. To access, click on the 'View' button. The document(s) will then download and can be opened from your 'Downloads' folder. Ensure you click 'Enable Editing' from the top ribbon before populating any fields within the document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone doing field research or field school where activities will take place out of doors.
Industry Leaders will have OHS oversight at the worksite. UC will have OHS oversight during travel to and from the worksite.
The student can provide email confirmation of training completion.
Yes, this is an AB OHS legislative requirement addressing the “worker’s right to know” the hazards of the workplace. (AB OHS Code Part 2 Section 8).
Yes, AB OHS Code requires hazard assessment to be completed before work begins at the worksite and anytime there are new work processes introduced, the worksite conditions change. (AB OHS Code Part 2 Section 7(1-4).
No, only those who have first aid identified as a primary job task on a formal job profile specific hazard assessment and control form can be held accountable for provision of first aid assistance.
Complete a single Pre-Trip Plan to be approved by the Department Head. Include an outline of expected trips/ locations/people involved. Review the approved Pre-Trip Plan in the Daily Briefing and document any new hazards accordingly. All participants sign the Daily Briefing document.
Only the approved Pre-Trip Plan and required participant documentation needs to be filed before your trip. All other documentation can be filed upon your return to campus.
Yes, electronic signatures or sign off can be used out in the field.
No, only the Pre-Trip Plan requires the signature of the Department Head or other representative as identified by the Dean, to confirm that the document has been reviewed and to confirm that the document is complete. EHS may audit program implementation by periodically asking users to demonstrate adherence to this standard.
Criteria for when field activities related to team building would be subject to the Field Safety Standard are:
- Workers are required or expected to attend
- The activity occurs during regular work hours
- The ɫ, faculty, department is funding the activity (eg, participants can charge mileage)
If none of these conditions are met, then the team building activity would not be considered work related. The WCB has prepared an which provides additional guidance on work relatedness for team building activities.
All trip leaders participating in field activities in rural, isolated or wilderness areas must take the training. All participants participating in field activities in wilderness areas must take the training. The training is available to all UCalgary staff, faculty and students.
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Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.