Risk, and recognizing the possibility of loss or injury, either physical or emotional, is integral to experiential learning and is inherent in field environments where we teach and conduct research. Field instructors and researchers must also be effective risk managers who understand and anticipate risks and acts appropriately to reduce the likelihood of negative consequences. Accidents often result from a combination of challenging conditions, inadequate preparation, and poor communication. Furthermore, the risk of negative interpersonal incidents is more likely than physical accidents particularly for individuals from groups marginalized and excluded from the field sciences. For this reason, an effective trip leader must incorporate many attributes of leadership including preparation, competency, effective communication, appropriate judgment, self and group awareness, tolerance for adversity and uncertainty, and inclusivity (adapted from the UC Field Operations Safety Manual [PDF]).
Reserve Directors are integral to the health, safety, and inclusivity of their sites. They set the tone for a safe and inclusive field station culture and provide necessary site-based information for visiting researchers and classes. The Field Safety template provided should be adapted, and frequently updated, to provide site-specific information, including maps, hazards, emergency contacts, inclusivity interventions and resources. Reserve directors should modify all sections in the template in grey for reserve specific information. It can then be shared with incoming researchers who fill in the sections highlighted in yellow to be used as a tool for individual and group hazard assessment, communication plan, emergency procedures, and training.
The Field Safety template provides guidelines and resources to lead safe, inclusive, successful field courses and research trips. It includes guidance on planning, training, incident response, risk assessment, effective communication, campus resources, common field hazards, and interventions to minimize interpersonal incidents and identity-based risks. Principal Investigators (PIs) and supervisors are responsible for ensuring that their employees and students have the training and supplies needed to perform their work and studies safely and with an inclusive focus. The template provides a mechanism to document and communicate Reserve-based risks and safe work procedures, and emergency actions as necessary.