Water Resources--Office of Water Quality

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National Field Manual

A9. SAFETY IN FIELD ACTIVITIES

By Susan L. Lane and Ronald G. Fay

• Errata for Chapter A9
• Citation Information

Abstract
Introduction

Purpose and scope
Field manual review and revision
Acknowledgments

A9.

Safety in field activities

9.1

Safety policies, regulations, and requirements



9.1.1 USGS and Federal policies

9.1.2 Job hazard analysis

9.1.3 Personal protective equipment

9.1.4 Training



9.2

Field trip preparations and emergency contacts



9.3

Transportation



9.3.1 Road vehicles and trailers

9.3.2 Watercraft

9.3.3 Aircraft

9.3.4 Other methods of transportation



9.4

Surface-water activities



9.4.1 Wading

9.4.2 Working on bridges

9.4.3 Working from boats

9.4.4 Working from cableways

9.4.5 Scuba diving

9.4.6 Electrofishing



9.5

Ground-water activities



9.5.1 Well sites

9.5.2 Machinery, pumps, and other equipment



9.6

Chemicals



9.6.1 Use and handling

9.6.2 Transport

9.6.3 Storage and disposal



9.7

Contaminated water



9.8

Environmental conditions



9.8.1 Temperature and sun exposure

9.8.2 Thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes

9.8.3 Floods

9.8.4 Earthquakes

9.8.5 Fire

9.8.6 Snow and ice



9.9

Animals



9.9.1 Arachnids and insects

9.9.2 Snakes

9.9.3 Alligators

9.9.4 Bears

9.9.5 Mountain lions

9.9.6 Rodents and other small mammals

9.9.7 Domestic animals



9.10

Plants



9.11

Checklists for standard safety equipment



9.11.1 Checklist for personal protective equipment

9.11.2 Checklist for vehicles and vehicular laboratories

9.11.3 Checklist for watercraft

Illustrations

9-1.

Example of emergency contact form to be completed and taken on field trips

9-2.

Example of medical information form to be completed and taken on field trips

9-3.

Sketches of selected spiders found in North America

9-4.

Sketches of selected poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes of North America

9-5.

Shapes of leaves in five species of Toxicodendron found throughout the continental United States (except Alaska and Nevada)

Tables

9-1.

Guidelines on potentially dangerous animals

9-2.

Guidelines on poisonous plants