Field Work Safety Assignment

Sue Holden School of Applied Sciences

FIELD WORK SAFETY

PUBH 1369 Laboratory and Fieldwork

Safety

Introduction

Before the commencement of any field activity it is essential that a preliminary site visit is undertaken to identify possible hazards and to ensure that the sampling sites chosen provide safe points of access.

Once specific hazards have been identified, a risk assessment is completed and risk control measures identified and implemented.

There is also a need to develop staff training programs to ensure that staff are up to speed with field safety protocols and the safe operation of field equipment etc.

Safety in the Field

Off Campus Activities include:

Site Visits

Field Work • Surface water studies of rivers and streams • Wetland studies • Groundwater monitoring • Soil profiling and sampling • Ecology Studies

Camps and work related projects

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

used in Field Activities

� Protective Footwear (boots, runners / gumboots)

� Long sleeved shirts and trousers

� Wet weather / windproof clothing

� Hats – wide-brimmed / beanies

� Sunglasses

� Sunscreen

� Insect Repellent

� Waders

� Gloves

� Safety Vests (roadside work)

� Tie long hair back

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Field Activities 1

Protective Footwear

Gum Boots for wet and muddy conditions

Boots protect the whole foot

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Field Activities 2

Protective Clothing

Long Sleeved Shirts and Trousers offer protection from bites and

stings and UV Radiation

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Field Activities 3

Beanie to reduce heat loss

through the head in cold

conditions

Protective gloves

Waders

Surface Water Sampling Toolern Creek, Melton

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in Field Activities 4

Long hair tied back Broad-brimmed

hat and sunglasses

protect against

UV-radiation

Surface Water Sampling

Merri Creek, Craigieburn

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used in field activities 5

Safety Vests are worn when working on a construction site or by the roadside

Safety Signage – Field Sites

General Fieldwork Safety Requirements

� Get a good night’s sleep

� Ensure you have a healthy breakfast

� Dress appropriately for the weather and the activity

� Protective footwear is mandatory – gum boots are recommended in wet conditions

� Drinking water should be carried

� Never enter bush environments alone – two or more people must be present

� Inform supervisors immediately if you have sustained an injury or are feeling unwell

� Students must always inform their supervisor of any planned expeditions

Field Trip Safety Checklist

� Conduct a field trip risk assessment for each excursion, field trip and camp.

� Conduct a safety briefing session prior to each field activity. Ensure staff/students are aware of safety requirements.

� Provide PPE as required – eg. gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, towels, change of clothes (tracksuit)

� Check Condition of PPE

� Check condition of all field equipment

� Instruct staff/students on the safe use of field equipment

� Wash down all field equipment after use

Field Safety and First Aid

� Ensure that a current first aider is in attendance on all field trips – Intermediate Level 2 � A Field First Aid Kit (fully stocked) and mobile phone should be taken on all field trips

Field First Aid Kits: Soft pack –fold out and backpack styles are available from a number of suppliers including St. Johns Ambulance and Red Cross

Field Safety and First Aid

Inform supervisors immediately if you or a co-worker sustains an injury whilst in the field:

Reportable Injuries:

► Bites or Stings

► Cuts, lacerations and abrasions (grazes)

► Burns - radiation (sunburn), chemical or electrical

► Sprains, strains or suspected fractures

► Feeling the effects of exposure to extremes of hot or cold

► If you have suffered a fall or been immersed in water

► A Field First Aid Kit is taken on all field trips

► Sunscreen and insect repellent are provided

Communication

� Mobile Phones

� Satellite Phones

Emergency Beacons

� Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) – Marine Environments

� Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) – remote inland locations

� Emergency Signalling Strobes – to assist rescue services (particularly in low light conditions)

Emergency Procedures

� Activate beacons in an emergency situation

� Beacons assist air, land or sea rescue services to your precise location

� Beacons are registered on-line with the Beacon Registration Section, AusSAR Australian Maritime Safety Authority

� Australian National Rescue Co-ordination Centre 24 Hour Emergency Contact

Emergency Beacons

Emergency Procedures

Emergency Beacons

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) with GPS

COSPAS – SARSAT System

Global search and rescue service

Digital radio transmitter emits a distress signal at 406 MHz

Geostationary satellites – give an immediate alerting function

Polar orbiting satellites – can accurately resolve an active beacon’s location

GPS receiver relays the latitude and longitude of the beacon

Emergency Signalling Strobe

Emergency Procedures

� Assist rescue services in locating your position

� Visible up to 3 km

� Strobe light attaches

easily to lifejacket or wet weather gear

� Suitable for low-light conditions

Conducting a Field Trip Risk Assessment

Step 1. Identify Hazards

• Physical – eg. water hazards, manual handling, exposure to heat and cold • Chemical – eg. chemical pollutants associated with environmental samples / sample preservation reagents • Biological – eg. biological pathogens associated with environmental samples • Radiation – exposure to UV Radiation

Proposed sampling sites should be inspected prior to undertaking any field activities in order to identify potential hazards and to assess safe access points.

Conducting a Field Trip Risk Assessment

Step 2. Assess the Risk – low, medium or high risk

What is the probability or likelihood of an incident occurring? • daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, once every 5-10 years

What are the consequences? • major or minor injury, lost time injury

Conducting a Field Trip Risk Assessment

Step 3. Prepare and Implement Risk Control Measures

What is Risk Control?

• identifying practical measures for eliminating or reducing the likelihood of injury or illness

• implementing these measures

• continually reviewing these measures to ensure their effectiveness

Conducting a Field Trip Risk Assessment

Step 3. Prepare and Implement Risk Control Measures

Hierarchy of Control

1. Elimination – eliminate the process / task 2. Substitute safer alternatives – eg. choose a sampling

site that provides safe access for students 3. Engineering controls – includes isolating people from

hazard 4. Administration controls – policies, procedures,

instruction and training 5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Step 4. Actions in case of emergency

Hazards in the Field

► Bites and Stings

► Exposure to UV Radiation

► Working in Heat

► Hypothermia

► Water Hazards - Physical, Chemical and Biological

► Soil Hazards – Physical, Chemical and Biological

► Traffic Hazards

► Changing Weather Conditions

► Electrical Hazards - Electric Fences, Lightning

► Manual Handling

Bites and Stings

Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia to 2005 Report

Clare Bradley May 2008

This report describes bites and stings cases

that required hospitalisation in the period July 2002 to June 2005

• total of 11,602 cases of venomous bites and stings required hospitalisation in this 3 year period

• average 3867 cases per year

• one third (33.5%)of cases were spider bites - most frequently red back spiders

• bee stings accounted for nearly one quarter (23.7%) of cases

Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia to 2005 Report

Clare Bradley May 2008

• Venomous snake bites contributed to 15.1% of hospitalisations

• Males accounted for 63.3% of all cases

• Mean age of a person admitted to hospital was 34.5 years

• Only three cases resulted in death in this period 1 x brown snake envenomation 1 x tiger snake envenomation 1 x box jellyfish sting

Bites and Stings 1

Bites and Stings that may be encountered during fieldwork include:

• Snake Bites – venomous snakes such as brown snakes, tiger snakes, copperheads and red- bellied black snakes

• Insect Stings – bees, wasps, mosquitoes, ants and ticks

• Spider Bites – Redback and White-Tailed Spiders

• Animal Bites

• Plant Stings – eg. Tiger Pear

Bites and Stings 2

Victorian Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae

Common or Eastern Brown Snake Pseudonaja textilis • Brown snakes are now responsible for the majority of snakebite deaths in Australia. • mostly active during the day, except in very hot weather • prefers dry country to swampy areas

Victorian Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae

Tiger Snake Notechis scutatus • Tiger snake bites are currently one of the most common snake bites in Australia. • Tiger snakes are active in warm weather • attracted to swamps, marshes, creeks, rivers or dams

Bites and Stings 2

Victorian Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae

Copperhead Austrelaps superbus • active during the day (active at night on hot days) • may be active in weather generally considered too cold for snakes • attracted to swamps, rivers and creeks • bites to humans are rare as copperheads are generally slow to strike and may be inaccurate

Bites and Stings 2

Bites and Stings 2

Victorian Venomous Snakes Family Elapidae

Red-bellied Black Snake Pseudechis porphyriacus • Jet black above and deep red to pink lower lateral and belly scales • Found near water courses, swamps or in forests • Feed predominantly on frogs • Generally inoffensive and reluctant to bite

Bites and Stings 3

Risk Factors Include:

� Warm weather

� Long grass

� Water environments - rivers, streams and wetlands

� Snakes, spiders and insects may be hidden under

rocks, fallen trees and logs and smaller pieces of wood

Composition of Snake Venoms - Family Elapidae

Consist of a complex mixture of components rather than a single toxin

1. Neurotoxins

• Cause paralysis by acting on nerves (nerve damage)

• Found in the venom of tiger snakes

• Antivenom not very effective at reversing its effects

2. Myotoxins

• Dissolve muscle cells causing them to dissolve and

release their contents into the blood

• Damage muscle cells within an hour after an effective

bite

• Muscle destruction (myolysis) is a common effect of

tiger snake bites

Composition of Snake Venoms - Family Elapidae

3. Procoagulants

• Act against the clotting action of the blood

• Destroy the clotting protein

• Put the victim at risk of severe bleeding

• Common in the venom of brown snakes and tiger

snakes

• Common cause of death from snakebite

Bites and Stings 4

Related Injuries include:

Snake Bite:

� Nausea and vomiting

� Headache

� Altered conscious state

� Double /blurred vision

� Problems with speaking or swallowing

� Weakness in extremities and/or paralysis

� Respiratory distress

Bites and Stings 5

Related Injuries include:

Spider Bites:

Redback Spider � Pain at bite site � Swelling � Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain � Heavy sweating

White -Tailed Spider � Burning pain at bite site � Swelling and itchiness at site � Weals, blisters � Local ulceration

Bites and Stings 6

Related Injuries include:

Insect Stings:

� Pain, soreness and aching around affected area

� Swelling and redness around site

Allergic Reactions – bees and European wasps

� Itching and Rashes

� Swollen Eyelids

� Wheezing

� Respiratory distress

� Altered conscious state

Bites and Stings 7

Risk control measures: ☺ Wear strong, sturdy protective footwear – boots, gumboots

☺ Wear long sleeved shirts, trousers and socks

☺ Make a lot of noise when walking in the bush

☺ Avoid walking in long grass where possible

☺ Keep to walking tracks where possible

☺ Do not attempt to catch or handle snakes

☺ Do not rely on visual identification of snakes as non-

venomous, as appearances and coloration may vary

considerably within species

Bites and Stings 8

Risk control measures continued:

☺ Be alert in and around water – favourite haunt of

snakes

☺ Don’t reach into long grass or hollow logs

☺ When stepping over logs, carefully inspect the

ground on either side

☺ Avoid lifting rocks and pieces of wood

☺ Wear insect repellent

☺ Do not feed or handle wild animals

Exposure to UV Radiation

Exposure to UV Radiation 1

• Exposure to ultra-violet radiation in sunlight is the major cause of skin cancer in Australia.

• Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world.

• In Victoria, UV radiation is most intense from September to April.

� 10.00am to 2.00pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) � 11.00am to 3.00pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time (EDST)

Exposure to UV Radiation 2

Risk Factors Include:

� Exposure Time

� Intensity of Exposure

� Season – risk is highest in summer and lowest in winter

� Reflective Surfaces such as water, sand, rock, cement and snow

Exposure to UV Radiation 3

Related Injuries include:

� Radiation burns (sunburn)

� Pain

� Blisters

� Eye damage

� Cataracts

� Skin cancer

Exposure to UV Radiation 4

Risk control measures:

☺ Limit exposure time

☺ Work at times when UV exposure is less intense

☺ Wear long sleeved shirts (with collar) and trousers

☺ Clothing should be loose fitting for coolness

☺ Wear a broad-brimmed hat

☺ Wear sunglasses

☺ Wear sunscreen 30+ broad spectrum (reapply regularly

☺ Seek natural shade eg. trees

Exposure to UV Radiation - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 1

SLIP on a shirt – long sleeved with collar

Long Trousers

Remember to SLIP, SLOP SLAP

Exposure to UV Radiation - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 2

SLOP on sunscreen SLAP on a hat – broad-brimmed and sunglasses

Working in Heat

Working in Heat 1

Heat Related Illnesses

Heat Exhaustion

• A form of shock caused by depletion of body fluids

• Results from overexposure to a hot environment

Heat Stroke

• Life threatening condition

• condition where the body’s temperature regulating and

cooling mechanisms are overwhelmed

• Body systems begin to fail

Working in Heat 2

Risk Factors Include:

� High temperatures

� Radiant heat

� High humidity

� Physical workload / physical activity

� Dehydration

� Excessive clothing

� Low air movement

� Affects on concentration, increasing the risk of

accidents

Working in Heat 3

Related Injuries include: � Muscular cramps

� Skin rashes

Heat Exhaustion

� Mild shock

� Cool, moist pale skin

� Headache

� Nausea

� Dizziness / weakness

� Fainting

� Sweating, thirst

� Rapid, weak pulse

� Moderately elevated body temperature

Working in Heat 4

Risk control measures:

☺ Limit exposure time

☺ Work in cooler part of the day

☺ Wear light loose fitting clothing that also provides adequate protection

☺ Share tasks between team members

☺ Reduce time spent doing task (job rotation)

☺ Work at a sensible pace

☺ Take frequent breaks

☺ Drink water at regular intervals to avoid dehydration

☺ Rest in a cool shady spot if fatigued

Cold Emergencies

Hypothermia

Hypothermia 1

Hypothermia (Exposure)

• Condition where human body temperature falls below

35oC

• Normal body temperature is 37oC

• Caused by excessive heat loss due to inadequate

protection from wet, cold and windy conditions

Hypothermia 2

Risk Factors Include:

� Inadequate protection from wet, cold and windy

conditions

� Exposure time

� Intensity of Exposure

� Immersion in cold water

� Exhaustion and hunger also contribute

Hypothermia 3

Related Injuries include:

� Shivering

� Numbness

� Slurred speech

� Mental confusion

� Impaired awareness

� Slow, irregular pulse

� Decreasing level of consciousness

Hypothermia 4

Risk control measures:

☺ Dress for weather and activity

☺ Wear waterproof and windproof outer clothing

☺ Dress in layers to trap warm air, and to allow you to

take off layers if necessary, to avoid sweating

☺ Wear a warm head covering (eg. beanie), gloves and

scarves

☺ Keep dry – being wet from rain, sweating or immersion

in cold water causes heat loss

☺ Bring a change of clothes and a towel

Water Hazards

Water - Physical Hazards 1

Field work is undertaken in a diverse range of aquatic environments.

• inland waters (rivers, streams, lakes, dams and wetlands)

• open water (sea, ocean)

• natural and constructed drainage systems

• waste water streams

Water - Physical Hazards 2

Risk Factors Include:

Physical hazards associated with aquatic activities:

� Drowning hazards

� Tripping and slipping hazards

Water - Physical Hazards 3

Related Injuries include:

� Bleeding – cuts, open wounds

� Fractures

� Breathing emergencies

� Head / spinal injuries

� Unconsciousness

� Hypothermia (exposure)

on immersion in cold water

Water Safety

Water Safety 1

Risk control measures:

The following water safety rules should be observed when working in and around water.

☺ Avoid unsafe sampling sites

☺ Ensure there is reasonable and safe access to sites in all

weather conditions

☺ Check weather conditions and watch for changes in the

weather eg. approaching thunderstorms

Water Safety 2

Water Safety Rules continued:

☺ Appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn

☺ Two or more people must be present

☺ Bring a change of clothes and a towel when

undertaking aquatic activities – immersion in cold water

may lead to hypothermia

Water Safety 3

Risk control measures:

When wading in inland creeks and streams:

☺ Check water depth

☺ Check area thoroughly for hidden rocks, drop-offs or

holes

☺ Check for swift currents, high stream velocities,

floating debris, snags etc.

☺ Check for the presence of soft mud or quicksand

☺ Stay away from unstable banks (weak or crumbling)

Water - Chemical Hazards 1

Risk Factors Include:

Chemical hazards associated with aquatic activities:

� Chemical contaminants in water samples

� Collection, Handling and Preservation of water samples

� Analysis of water samples on-site

Water - Biological Hazards 1

Risk Factors Include:

Biological hazards associated with aquatic activities:

Biological pathogens in water samples include:

� Helminths – eg. tapeworm

� Bacteria – eg. salmonella and E Coli

� Viruses – eg. Hepatitis A

� Protozoa

� Fungi

Water – Chemical and Biological Hazards 1

Water samples collected during fieldwork, come from a diverse range of sources thus the hazards associated with each sample will vary. It is important to treat all water samples as potentially hazardous.

► Surface waters - rivers, streams etc

► Ground waters – bores and wells

► Waste waters – industrial and

storm water

► Marine waters

Water – Chemical and Biological Hazards 2

Route of Exposure – water samples

► Skin Absorption – through open wounds

► Contact with Eye

► Ingestion – via eating and drinking in the field

► Inhalation of toxic gases eg. hydrogen sulphide (H2S)

(ground and wastewaters)

Water – Chemical and Biological Hazards 3

Related Injuries include:

� Chemical Burns

� Skin irritation (dermatitis)

� Skin and eye infections

� Irritation/inflammation of nose, throat and lungs

� Respiratory infections

� Food poisoning

� Gastroenteritis

� Diarrhea, nausea and fever

� Hepatitis A

Water – Chemical and Biological Hazards 4

Risk control measures:

☺ Avoid contact with open wounds – cover any cuts / scratches

with a clean, dry bandage

☺ Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes and nose when handling

samples

☺ Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum whilst handling samples

☺ Wear gloves when collecting and preserving water samples

☺ Thoroughly wash hands with an appropriate disinfectant such

as Hibiclens at completion of field work

☺ Wash down all field equipment after use

☺ Wash work clothes regularly

Soil Hazards

Risk Factors Include:

Chemical hazards associated with soil activities:

Chemical contaminants in soil samples

� Collection and handling of soil samples

� Analysis of soil samples on-site

Soil - Chemical Hazards 1

Soil - Biological Hazards 1

Risk Factors Include:

Biological hazards associated with soil activities:

Biological pathogens in soil samples include:

� Bacteria - eg. Tetanus

� Viruses

� Protozoa

Soil – Chemical and Biological Hazards 1

Route of Exposure – Soil samples

► Skin Absorption / Contact – through open wounds

► Contact with Eye

► Ingestion – via eating and drinking in the field

► Inhalation – fine soil particles may be inhaled

Soil – Chemical and Biological Hazards 2

Related Injuries include:

� Skin irritation (dermatitis)

� Skin Infections

� Eye infections

� Irritation/inflammation of nose, throat and lungs

� Respiratory infections

� Hayfever

� Asthma

Soil – Chemical and Biological Hazards 3

Risk control measures:

☺ Avoid contact with open wounds – cover any cuts / scratches

with a clean, dry bandage

☺ Avoid touching face, mouth, eyes and nose when handling

samples

☺ Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum whilst handling samples

☺ Wear gloves when collecting soil samples

☺ Thoroughly wash hands with an appropriate disinfectant such as

Hibiclens at completion of field work

☺ Wash down all field equipment after use

☺ Wash work clothes regularly

☺ Tetanus immunisation

Traffic Hazards

Traffic Hazards 1

When undertaking fieldwork, students may be required to work by the roadside due to the location of specific sampling sites.

Sources of Risk:

� Working near the roadside – poor visibility

� Working on a construction site

� Working on a farm

� Working on a factory site

� Crossing roads

Related Injuries include:

� Severe bleeding – external /internal

� Fractures

� Internal injuries

� Head injuries

� Shock

� Altered conscious state

Traffic Hazards 2

Traffic Hazards 3

Risk Control Measures:

☺ Be aware of approaching traffic at all times

☺ Keep well away from road

☺ Wear a high visibility garment - safety vest

High Visibility Safety Garments

Garments should comply with Australian and New Zealand Standard 4602: 1999

• High visibility

• Designed for both day and night use

• Retro-reflective strips on a fluorescent, high

visibility material

• Colours for normal purposes are red- orange or

yellow

• Safety vests must remained fastened at all

times

High Visibility Safety Vest for Day and Night Use

Front Back

Fluorescent Colours Retro-reflective Strip

Garment Labelling Requirements under Standard AS/NZ 4602:1999

Retro-reflective Strips

Changes in Weather Conditions

Changes in Weather Conditions

Check weather conditions before undertaking fieldwork

► Watch for changes in the weather eg. approaching thunderstorms and lightning

► Avoid working near or under trees in windy conditions – increased risk of falling trees and branches

Electrical Hazards

Electrical Hazards 1

Electrical hazards associated with field work:

Sources of Risk:

� Electric fences and gates

� Lightning Strike- open fields and paddocks

Electrical Hazards 2

Related Injuries include:

� Electric Shock

� Electrical Burns – current entry and exit wounds

� Unconsciousness

� Dazed, confused behaviour

� Breathing difficulty - respiratory arrest

� Weak, irregular or absent pulse - cardiac arrest

� Loss of hearing / eyesight – lightning strike

� Fractures – lightning strike

Electrical Hazards – Lightning Strike

Lightning strikes occur when a person is the tallest feature in a landscape such as an open field or paddock.

Risk Control Measures:

☺ Stop work immediately and seek shelter from

approaching thunderstorm eg. inside building or vehicle

(wind up windows)

☺ Cease aquatic activities immediately as water

conducts electricity

☺ Avoid tall trees and telephone poles

☺ Avoid wire fences, metal rails etc – conduct electricity

☺ Only use a telephone in an emergency

Electrical Hazards – Electric Fences 1

Risk Control Measures:

☺ Wear gum boots - helps to reduce electric shock

☺ Take care when climbing through electric fences

☺ Ask landholders to turn off electric fences where

possible

Electrical Hazards – Electric Fences 2

Gum Boots help to reduce electric shock

Waterproof Jacket offers protection from rainy and windy conditions

Note: Electrical Hazard Electric Fence

Manual Handling

Manual Handling 1

What is Manual Handling?

Manual handling covers a wide range of activities

including:

► Lifting

► Pushing

► Pulling

► Holding

► Throwing

► Carrying

Manual Handling 2

What is Manual Handling?

Manual handling includes repetitive tasks such as:

► Packing

► Typing

► Assembling

► Cleaning and sorting

► Using hand tools

► Operating machinery and equipment

Most jobs/tasks involve some form of manual handling. Whilst not all manual handling tasks are hazardous, it is important to note that one quarter of all workplace injuries are caused by manual handling.

Correct Lifting Technique

• Bend your knees and keep your back straight. • Do not bend your back. • Feet should be shoulder width apart • Keep the load as close to the body as possible. • Do not twist your body • Keep your head up – will help you to maintain a better position of the spine • Use your leg muscles to lift

Manual Handling in the Field 1

Manual handling activities associated with field work include:

► Assembling and preparation of field equipment

► Loading and unloading of equipment from vehicles

► Carrying field equipment to sampling sites

► Surface water collection and monitoring

► Soil sample collection

Manual Handling in the Field 2

Environmental Risk Factors

In all cases Environmental Risk Factors may increase the risk of injury.

Environmental Risk Factors include:

► exposure to hot weather conditions

► radiant heat from the sun

► high humidity

► low temperatures

Manual Handling in the Field 3

Related Injuries include: Unsafe manual handling may cause a variety of injuries and conditions including:

� Muscle sprains and strains

� Injuries to muscles, ligaments intervertebral discs and

other structures in the back.

� Injuries to soft tissues such as nerves, ligaments and

tendons in the wrist, arms, shoulders, neck or legs

� Abdominal hernias

� Chronic pain

Loading And Unloading of Vehicles 1

Assessing the Risk:

1. Repetitive and sustained forces ► Pushing, pulling and dragging equipment into and

out of vehicle ► Lifting and lowering equipment into and out of

vehicle

2. Repetitive or sustained postures, movement – reaching forwards or sideways more than 30cm from body

Loading And Unloading of Vehicles 2

Assessing the Risk:

3. Repetitive awkward posture – bending and

twisting back to load items from trolley to vehicle

4. Application of high force when handling heavy

objects in one hand

Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder and

arm strains and pain

Loading And Unloading of Vehicles 3

Sources of Risk:

� Field equipment may be heavy in load or awkward to manoeuvre

Loading And Unloading of Vehicles 4

Risk Control Measures:

☺ Get the help of several people to load/unload heavy

items of equipment

☺ Share tasks between all team members

Inform supervisor immediately if sustaining an injury

(sprain, strain, pain)

Carrying Field Equipment To Sampling Sites 1

When undertaking fieldwork, students will be required to carry field equipment to sampling sites.

Assessing the Risk:

► Sustained forces eg. carrying equipment with one

hand or one side of the body

► Application of high force when handling heavy field

equipment

► Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder and arm

strains and pain

Carrying Field Equipment To Sampling Sites 2

Sources of Risk:

� Field equipment may be either heavy or awkward to

carry.

� Equipment may need to be carried over rough, wet, or

muddy terrain or over long distances.

� The duration of the task will be highly dependant on

vehicle access to sampling sites ie. the greater the

distance that equipment needs to be carried, the longer

the sustained forces.

Carrying Field Equipment To Sampling Sites 3

Risk Control Measures:

☺ Vehicles driven as close as possible to sampling

sites in order to reduce the distance that equipment

needs to be carried.

☺ Counter balance loads – carry equipment in both

hands

☺ Get the help of several people to carry equipment

(share the load)

Inform supervisor immediately if sustaining an injury

(sprain, strain, pain)

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 1

Assessing the Risk:

1. Repetitive and sustained posture, movement

► Bending back forwards more than 200 when collecting samples directly from creek/stream

► Squatting, kneeling to take field measurements

► Reaching forwards, sideways more that 30cm from

body to obtain a sample

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 2

Assessing the Risk:

2. Sustained awkward posture of back, neck and arms when decanting samples from a bucket to a sample container

3. Sustained application of force to hold or pour

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 3

Assessing the Risk:

4. Application of High Force

� Tossing a bucket on rope from water’s edge to obtain

a sample

� Pulling a full bucket of water back to the water’s edge

� Lowering bucket on rope from a raised position eg.

bridge or jetty to obtain a sample

� Pulling up a full bucket of water to a raised position eg.

bridge or jetty

� Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder arm and

wrist strains and pain

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 4

Sources of Risk:

� Full buckets of water attached to a rope are quite heavy to pull any

distance or lift from a height

� Surface water samples may be collected directly by wading into the

creek or stream if conditions are favourable

� Samples may be taken from the edge of a water body eg. river, lake,

creek using a bucket on rope

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 5

Sources of Risk:

� Samples may be taken from a raised position eg.

bridge or jetty using a bucket on rope if site access

is difficult

� Samples may be taken from a boat

� The duration of the task is variable due to the total

number of samples required and the number of

sampling sites visited

Surface Water Sample Collection and Monitoring 6

Risk Control Measures: ☺ Use a swing sampler (plastic bottle on extendable pole)

☺ Share tasks between all team members

Inform supervisor immediately if sustaining an injury

(sprain, strain, pain)

Using a swing sampler to collect surface water samples South Morang Wetlands

Swing Samplers allow the operator to collect a smaller sample thus reducing risk of injury

Soil Sample Collection 1

Assessing the Risk:

► Repetitive and sustained posture, movement

► Bending back forwards more than 200 when using

spade or auger

► Squatting, kneeling to collect soil samples

► Reaching forward more than 30cm from body to

measure / analyse soil profiles

Soil Sample Collection 2

Assessing the Risk:

� Hand - Arm vibration due to use of spades and augers

� Possible injuries include back, knee, shoulder, arm

and wrist strains and pain

Soil Sample Collection 3

Sources of Risk:

� soil samples may be heavy or awkward to lift and

carry

� the duration of task is variable due to the total

number of samples required and the number of

sampling sites visited

Risk Control Measures: ☺ Share tasks between all team members

Inform supervisor immediately if sustaining an injury (sprain, strain, pain)

References:

1. Hazards of Working in Heat, Worksafe Victoria Guidance Note 16, October 2001

2. Sun Protection for Construction and other Outdoor Workers, Worksafe Victoria

Guidance Note 05, February 2004

3. Manual Handling Code of Practice, No 25, 2000

4. Australian Standard / New Zealand, AS/NZS 5667:1-1998, Water Quality – Sampling,

Part 1: Guidance on the Design of Sampling Programs, Sampling Techniques and

the Preservation and Handling of Samples

5. Australian / New Zealand Standard, AS/NZS 5667:6-1998, Water Quality – Sampling,

Part 6: Guidance on Sampling of Rivers and Streams

6. A Guide to the Sampling and Analysis of Waters, Wastewaters, Soils and Wastes,

Environmental Protection Authority, 7th Edition, March 2000

7. Australian Standard AS 4454-2003, Composts, Soil Conditioners and Mulches

8. Australian Standard AS 4419-2003, Soils for Landscaping and Garden Use

References:

8. First Aid – Responding to Emergencies, Australian Red Cross, March 2004

9. Snake Information and Images – www.avru.unimelb.edu.au

10. Australian Museum online: www.amonline.net.au - Spider and Insect fact sheets

and images

11. Bradley, C., 2008, Venomous Bites and Stings in Australia to 2005, Injury

Research and Statistics Series Number 40, Australian Institute of Health and

Welfare, Canberra

12. Australia’s Most Dangerous, 2007, Australian Geographic Pty. Ltd.

Images used in this presentation:

Images by S. Holden and B. Meehan, School of Applied Sciences

RMIT University