2024 Field Research Safety Training Update
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Sejer Meyhoff, SCI PhD student and field researcher in the Bayne Lab (Biological Sciences), leading an in-person Field Research Safety Session as the Subject Advisor.
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From April 1 to May 15, HSE held 32 in-person field research training sessions or 96 hours of training. As of May 15, 730 individuals took the online and in-person sessions. Certificates have been issued by email, contact fieldoff@ualberta.ca if you have any questions.
We want to thank all field researchers for their commitment to safety in the field. Feedback surveys reveal an above-average rating of over 4/5 for both the eLearning and in-person components of the training.
The following in-person sessions have been booked for June and July:
June 9, June 11 (Google Meet), July 9, and July 15 (Google Meet)
In-person sessions will be offered in August and dates will be released next month.
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Submission of FAP to Central Registry and Approval Process
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Once you have completed the Field Research Safety Training and prepared your draft Field Activities Plan, visit the Field Research Pre-Planning page for step-by-step instructions to submit the plan for approval. A Health and Safety Advisor (either HSE or Faculty) , will reach out to you upon submission and provide suggested revisions. Please complete the revisions and have all field research participants sign the FAP. , The Health and Safety Advisor will send the finalized and signed FAP to the required approver for signature. For FAPS that are assessed at a level 2 or 3, please allow 10 business days for approval and for those assessed at a level 4 or 5, due to the required peer-review, 20 business days for approval.
If you have questions, please refer to the Field Research Safety FAQs. If you require further assistance please email fieldoff@ualberta.ca and we will get back to you as soon as possible. The FAQs are being updated regularly, so be sure to continue to check the document for answers to questions.
As of May 15, we have received 120 submissions to the Field Activity Plan Central Registry. Roughly 10% of FAPS submitted have been assessed at a risk level of 4/5 requiring a peer review. We thank those academics who have kindly offered their time to conduct peer reviews.
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As of the time of this newsletter (May 14) the Alberta Wildfire Map shows 25 active wildfires (ones that aren't carried over from last year), 5 wildfires being held, and 3 are out of control (Grande Prairie and Fort McMurray Forest areas).
On May 14 at 2 pm, an Evacuation Order was issued for parts of the City of Fort McMurray, asking residents to evacuate by 4 pm. More details were found on the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo's page. On May 10 additional evacuation orders were issued for specific areas within the County of Grande Prairie. See this page for all Evacuation Orders or Alerts.
What to do in the event of an evacuation
If you ARE in or near an area where an evacuation notice has been issued, you are to leave your field location and take the route to an evacuation/reception centre as advised through the Alberta Emergency Alert System. Once you are in a secure evacuation/reception centre notify your supervisor. Check 511 Alberta for road closures and evacuation routes. Many field researchers are in other provinces. There is extreme wildfire activity in the northeastern part of BC. In this case, have the BC Wildfire Map handy and go to the EmergencyInfoBC for evacuation orders and other notices of emergencies.
For those researchers who have not left for the field but are planning to conduct research in an area where wildfires are active
It is crucial to review your Field Activity Plan and the locations you plan to travel through, stay, or do field work and decide BEFORE YOU GO whether it is viable and whether you should be going or postponing your fieldwork.
Even with the rain we had in the second week of May, the Alberta Fire Ban Map hasn't changed significantly with many fire bans and fire restrictions still in place.
In our April newsletter, we listed the controls for the hazards of wildfires, so please review those and incorporate them into your FAP if you haven't already done so.
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Wilderness First Aid
When: May 20-22, 2024
Time: 8:30 - 4:30 p.m. (each day) Where:
Emily Murphy Park
Cost: The full three-day course is $325.00 There are still a few spots available.
Pre-requisite: Current Intermediate First Aid
If you require Wilderness First Aid and cannot make this course, please email fieldoff@ualberta.ca to be put on a waiting list. If we have enough interested (8 or more) we could book a June or July course.
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Hands-on Bear Spray Training
When: throughout May
Where:
Location: Northeast corner of the Zoology tower of the Biological Sciences Building (session map location outlined in red). Look for stakes with orange flagging.
Pre-Requisite: Online Bear Awareness and Safety
Cost: Free to the University of Alberta Community
Tom Hantos, Biological Sciences Safety Officer, teaches the hands-on component of the Bear Awareness Safety course where participants deploy bear spray (inert cans) in a safe environment. Please email Tom directly at hantos@ualberta.ca with questions.
Bring your bear spray holster, if you have one - it is usually neoprene and hooks into a belt loop. You can buy it when you purchase your bear spray. Inert cans of spray and spare holsters will be available for you to use for the training.
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If you have new hires for the field season that require driver authorization, reach out to Kenji Kinoshita, Fleet Safety Advisor, to get your paperwork in and book driver evaluations. In addition, if you require ATV or trailer training, contact Kenji.
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FRO Equipment Rental Program
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The Field Research Office rents satellite phones, inReach devices, first aid kits, and AEDs at cost recovery prices. We do have a limited amount of phones activated so please give us at least 48 hours notice.
Sat Phones: $35/ week plus usage fees
InReach Devices: $25/week (15K plan) or $30/week (Unlimited data plan)
First Aid Kits: $6/week.
AEDs: free
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ACCESS TO SOUTH CAMPUS STORAGE LOT
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The South Campus Storage Lot (southwest of the Saville Centre) has storage containers and cages for storing combustibles and most field equipment is stored there.
All users of the lot must request access online.
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Field Research Office
Website
2-10 Materials Management Building
Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2R3
HRHSE
Email: fieldoff@ualberta.ca
W 780-492-8981
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