Photo Credit:  2020 Field Research Photo Contest winner - 2nd place, Photo Credit: Marion Mayerhofer, Research Assistance, Janice Cooke Lab, Biological Sciences 

With the cold weather now upon us, field researchers are reminded that if working outside, Cold Stress should be in their hazard assessment.

Health, Safety and Environment  (HSE) developed the Cold Stress Program which sets out specific hazards and mitigation strategies and can be referred to in the hazard assessment portion of your Field Activities Plan (Section 3). This Cold Stress Program is part of the overarching Thermal Stress Program.  It is important to note the thresholds for when to stop work. 

The resource below is from CCOHS and is an excellent infographic for a quick review that summarizes the signs and symptoms of frostnip and frostbite. Researchers should wear waterproof, insulated boots and take extra woolen socks if they know they will work where prolonged wet or cold feet are possible. 

Other resources:
Alberta OHS Working in Extreme Temperatures
Worksafe BC Cold Stress

If you are planning on working in the field in the near future and haven't taken the Field Research Safety Training yet, please visit this page for more details.

If you have activities that are assessed at a risk level 2 (medium) to level 5 (Extreme), you are required to take both parts of the training, the eLearning and the in-Person training sessions.

As of November 26,  2024, over 1550 researchers have completed both the E-Learning and In-Person Training.

We have scheduled the following sessions: 

December 4, 2024 (2 pm - 5 pm) - Augustana - Roger Epp Room

December 9, 2024 (5:45 pm - 8:45 pm) Augustana - Roger Epp Room

January 14, 2025 1 pm - 4 pm (virtual)

Everyone must register using the online form.  If someone shares the link with another or joins another during the session, we will not have a record of attendance and certificates cannot be issued. Also, cameras are required to be on during virtual sessions.  

Photo Credit: 2017 FRO Annual Photo Contest Second Place winner, Morgan Randall, ALES, Renewable Resources 

This past year, a member of a research group had fallen from a ladder from approximately eight feet. While it didn't result in serious injury, falls from heights, even from below four feet, can result in serious injury and permanent damage. The research group reported this incident and implemented corrective actions.   Corrective Actions included preparing a thorough Fall Protection Plan and investing in a full body harness with a self-retracting life-line for the Fall Rescue Plan. The Faculty Health and Safety Advisor as well as HSE subject matter experts reviewed and offered suggestions for the plan.

Working at any kind of height can be hazardous and must be identified in your hazard assessment.  According to 2020 CCOHS information, 42,000 workers are injured annually due to fall accidents in Canada. Sixty-seven percent of falls happen on the same level (slips and trips), while the remaining 30 percent are falls from heights.

Under Alberta’s OHS legislation, when a worker could fall at least three metres and isn’t protected by guardrails, the employer must prepare a fall protection plan. This plan must include:

See HSE's Fall Protection Program and the Fall Protection Plan template.  Also, see the HSE Ladder Safety Guidelines.  If you have any questions regarding fall protection in your field activities, reach out to fieldoff@ualberta.ca.

Thanks to all those who have responded to both the audit requirements as well as taken the time to provide feedback to the Field Research Process survey.

This month, the auditors are reaching out to those selected to arrange for audit interviews. This is the final requirement. All interviews must be finished by December 20th.

The objectives of the Field Research Safety Audit are:

● Confirm compliance with field safety documents and processes 
● Assess field workers' awareness and understanding of field safety documents and processes
● Assess field workers’ attitudes and behaviors toward the application of field safety tools 
●Assess the willingness/ability of field workers to raise field safety concerns..

A report is to be compiled and finalized by January 31, 2025.  The report will not include specifics of individual research groups or interviews, those will remain confidential and the report will focus on: 

● Institutional findings
● Highlight areas of best practice
● Identification of gaps
● General Areas of non-compliance
● Recommendations for improvements

The Audit Plan will be presented to the HSE Director, Manager Environment and Support Services, Field Research Office Director, HSE Field Safety Advisor, Faculty Health and Safety Advisors, the Review Group, Working Group Chairs, AVP (HRHSE), President's Executive Committee (Strategic), Field Research Activities Committee (FRAC), Joint Health and Safety Committee, College Deans and Deans, the HSE Senior Administrators Committee and the Board Audit and Risk Committee.

If you have any questions about the audit, please contact HSE Director, Michelle Rooker.

Planning is ongoing for a move of the South Campus Storage Lot (where field equipment is stored in Sea Cans and trailers are parked, directly south of the Saville Centre as shown in photo above).

Both Space Planning and the Project Manager (Peter Gegolick) have been in touch with the Field Research Office. 

Although the exact location of the new lot has not yet been confirmed, it will remain on South Campus.   

Update:  

Storage Lot Move - The Project Planner has worked to try to secure a contractor for the new lot construction. As it is too cold to do the work, they have postponed the move for now (no confirmed time but most likely when the ground thaws in early spring).
Garbage and Metal Recycle Bins - The Project Planner has provided a garbage bin and a metal recycle bin. The bins have been dropped off and will be left there for a few weeks. Do not discard hazardous materials (chemicals, flammables, etc.) as these should be disposed of using the University's Hazardous Waste Disposal procedures. If you have hazardous waste you wish to dispose of, follow the procedures here for chemical waste pick-up. 

We will keep you informed as we receive updates, however, if you have any questions, contact Peter Gegolick.

Snowmobile Training:

When:  First week in January, 2025 (exact date TBD) one day, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Where:  UAlberta South Campus (west of Saville Centre, Livestock Pavillion)
Cost:    $220.00.    Please provide payment by way of an Internal Sale Form (Indent) directly to Dick Puurveen, Renewable Resources (can be emailed to Dick at puurveen@ualberta.ca).   There will be no subsidy provided by HSE. 

Contact Jeff Brady for anything related to driver training/evaluation, trailer training, and ATV training.  Jeff's phone number is (825) 963-0613.

The Firearms Policy is being revised by UAPS under Facilities and Operations. 

Mandatory annual firearms training (hands-on training from a third party) is being organized for early March and early May. This will be required before any firearms are brought to the field. Please contact Robert Mills ( with UAPS) for more information.

Photo Credit: 2nd Place Winner, 2023 Field Research Annual Photo Contest, Marina Banuet Martinez, School of Public Health