Field Safety
Scope
The Field Safety Program at Carleton University is designed to identify and assess both existing and potential hazards associated with off-campus field work, which may pose uncommon risks compared to individuals’ daily activities. This encompasses off-campus field activities within the country and abroad. The program places significant emphasis on the role and responsibilities of supervisors in identifying hazards, performing risk assessments and implementing controls.
Applicability
This program is applicable to all university personnel including staff, students, postdoctoral research fellows, volunteers, interns, and faculty engaging in off-campus activities involving data collection, sampling, analysis, educational field trips, and academic courses. Such activities may encompass various disciplines including biosciences, engineering, fisheries and wildlife, forestry, architecture, and geology, among others.
Activities covered by the program include:
- Domestic field activities at remote sites
- Domestic field activities at non-remote sites
- Domestic field courses and field trips
- International field activities at remote sites
- International field activities at non-remote sites
- International field courses and field trips
Roles and Responsibilities
The workplace includes any location where an employee performs work for the employer. Under this definition, the field site is considered a workplace, thereby rendering the supervisor accountable for the health and well-being of participants engaged in field activities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Act stipulates that employers must provide employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm, of which the employer knew or ought to have known. It is the supervisor’s responsibility to conduct risk assessment for all field activities. In instances where hazards cannot be eliminated, particularly in remote sites, it is the supervisor’s responsibility to formulate risk reduction and mitigation plans.
Definitions
A remote site is delineated by both distance and accessibility, referring to an off-campus location situated beyond approximately one hour’s travel time from access to definitive treatment for illness, injury, or other unintended consequences.
Definitive treatment denotes the most suitable course of treatment for a patient, as determined by a medical professional, following consideration of all available options (e.g., surgery for internal bleeding, casting for a broken bone, suturing for a deep laceration).
Domestic field activity pertains to off-campus field operations conducted within Canada.
International field activity refers to all off-campus field activities happening outside of Canada.
Field Safety Pre-planning
Commencing pre-planning activities 6 to 8 weeks before the departure date is recommended. Detailed risk assessment must be performed for each field activity and the relevant document completed. A clear guide outlining the requirements for various field activities can be found below.
Field Trip Planning and Approval Record
Risk Assessment Checklist For International Travel For Research and Professional Development
Domestic field activity non-remote site
Begin the process 4 to 6 weeks prior to the departure date.
- Determine the Principal Investigator/ Activity Coordinator
- Determine the field activity participants
- Complete the Field Trip Planning and Approval Record
- Submit the record to the Departmental Chair for approval
- Once approved, send the signed record to risk@carleton.ca for review
Domestic field activity remote site
Begin the process 6 to 8 weeks prior to the departure date.
- Determine the Principal Investigator/ Activity Coordinator
- Determine the field activity participants
- Collect all details related to the field activity including contact person and GPS coordinates.
- Complete the Remote Field Safety Plan
- Submit the plan to the Departmental Chair for review
- Once approved, send the signed form to risk@carleton.ca for review
International field activity non-remote site
Begin the process 6 to 8 weeks prior to the departure date.
- Determine the Principal Investigator/ Activity Coordinator
- Determine the field activity participants
- Collect all details related to the field activity including contact person and GPS coordinates.
- Verify any public health issues, political concerns and cultural limitations in the field site location. For international travel visit Travel advice and advisories – Travel.gc.ca
- Complete the Risk Assessment Checklist for International Travel for Research and Professional Development
- Submit the checklist to the Departmental Chair for review
- Once approved, send the signed form to risk@carleton.ca for review
International field activity remote site
Begin the process 6 to 8 weeks prior to the departure date.
- Determine the Principal Investigator/ Activity Coordinator
- Determine the field activity participants
- Collect all details related to the field activity including contact person and GPS coordinates.
- Verify any public health issues, political concerns and cultural limitations in the field site location. For international travel visit Travel advice and advisories – Travel.gc.ca
- Complete the Remote Field Safety Plan and the Risk Assessment Checklist for International Travel for Research and Professional Development
- Submit the forms to the Departmental Chair for review
- Once approved, send the signed forms to risk@carleton.ca for review
Resources
Carleton University Secretariat Policies
Carleton University’s Travel Registry