Safety

Our job is not done until everyone is home safely.

Topics

1. First Aid/CPR

2. Vehicles

3. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

4. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

5. Check in / check out

6. Top 5 Hazards

Topic 1: First Aid/CPR

• Take the training seriously

• What will you do if…– A crew member slips and breaks an ankle miles

from the truck?– You bump into a hornets nest while electrofishing?

Topic 2: Vehicles

• Driving; it’s the most dangerous thing we do• This topic is so important, it has it’s own

presentation: ‘Fleet Orientation’

Topic 3: JHA(Job Hazard Analysis)

• Before going in field– Know your limitations– Know your equipment– Know your environment– Get local input

• Tailgate safety meetings weekly – or as issues arise

Topic 4: PPE(Personal Protective Equipment)

• Stream Habitat– Hardhat, wading boots (felt or sticky rubber)

• Electrofishing– Hardhat, wading boots (felt or sticky rubber), waders,

rubber gloves– Long pants required under breathable waders

• Hiking– Hardhat, hiking boots (high enough to provide ankle support)

Other good PPE’s

• Sunscreen• Weather appropriate clothes• Water bottle• Rain gear

• Never, ever work alone

Check in / Check out• Daily plan

– Notify project contact when• Departing for field

– Including who is going where

• Returning from field

– Multiple crews; a person on each crew should know where other crews are going that day

• SPOT devices– A one-way communication device for use when there is no cell reception– Not a substitute for a plan

• Know where the nearest hospital is

Top 5 hazards

1. Driving• It is the most dangerous thing we do, period.

2. Wading• Slips = broken bones, separated joints

3. Plants & critters• Poison ivy, wasps, chiggers, ticks, snakes, bears

4. Exposure• wet & cold; hot & thirsty; sunny & burnt

5. Fatigue• Physical breakdown, loss of mental focus

Other hazards

• Weather– Lightning– Flash floods

• People– Landowners– Pot– Meth

Lessons learned

• Share a story of an accident or near-miss that will improve our safety– What happened?– How can we change to avoid this in the future?

• Not looking to place blame, but to learn and improve our safety program

• No issue too small!

Questions?