Working Alone
A person is considered to be working alone when they cannot be seen or heard by another person. Not all circumstances of working alone are hazardous to the “lone worker”. However, hazards in the field can be more perilous for the lone worker because they have a greater risk for:
- Verbal/physical abuse from other persons.
- Accidents or emergencies due to field hazards or sudden illness.
- Delays in treating or responding to these emergencies because no one is available to provide first aid or assistance, or because the site is not easily accessible.
- Inadequate monitoring of rest, personal hygiene, and general welfare of the lone employee.
Working alone also increases the risk of injury. Whenever possible, fieldwork activities should be performed in teams of at least two people, especially when it involves remote or hazardous locations or activities.
When solitary work is unavoidable, the PI should enforce regular reporting, appropriate emergency procedures, and other precautions. Performing a rigorous risk assessment is especially critical in situations where field work will be performed alone.
Business Cards
Sometimes having a means to identify yourself to landowners and members of the public while performing field work can be helpful. It helps to exhibit professionalism, but could also be a useful safety precaution when someone questions your purpose for being out in the field. Certain members of the AL community could be more vulnerable in these types of situations. Visit this page to learn more.
High Visibility Vests
The lab has orange emergency vests available for use while in the field. They are branded with our logo and marked as “research staff” on the back. They have reflective tape and are orange to also help during hunting seasons. Visit this page to learn more.
Placards
Most fleet vehicles are equipped with UMCES-branded decals on the doors. These can help provide identification and legitimacy when you encounter members of the public in the field. If you are using a personal or rental vehicle, it is a good idea to get a removable, magnetic placards should be printed to help identify your vehicle while in the field. Contact Katie Kline for more information.
Unusual or Unique Location Hazards
Most of the material presented in this training has focused on potential hazards in the mid-Atlantic region of the US. If your work will take you to other locations nationally or internationally, it is important to consider the hazards associated with that particular locale. It can include, but is not limited to:
- Avalanche
- Flash Floods
- Unique Endemic Disease
- Unique Vector-Borne Disease
- Risks associated with social environment (e.g., greater risk of violent crime, political instability, unique cultural constraints)
- Work Stress
Exacerbation of Pre-Existing Health Conditions
It is likely that any pre-existing health and medical issues could be exacerbated by travel, harsh climate, or unfamiliar environments in the field. For this reason, we recommend that participants get a medical exam appropriate for the expected hazards and obtain necessary medical clearances 6 to 8 weeks prior to commencing work. If appropriate, vaccinations should also be acquired at this time. We encourage you to check and update your tetanus vaccination status in case you are injured through the scope of your field work. You should receive a booster every 10 years for adequate protection.
If possible, local emergency services should be consulted for their estimate of response times to the participant’s field research site.
In addition to considerations for personal safety, it is also important to consider including safety and survival gear.