Water Resources--Office of Water Quality

National Field Manual
Chapter A9.
Safety in Field Activities

By Susan L. Lane and Ronald G. Fay

ABSTRACT

The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (National Field Manual) describes protocols (requirements and recommendations) and provides guidelines for U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources. This chapter of the manual addresses topics related to personal safety to be used in the collection of water-quality data, including: policies and general regulations on field safety; transportation of people and equipment; implementation of surface-water and ground-water activities; procedures for handling chemicals; and information on potentially hazardous environmental conditions, animals, and plants.

Each chapter of the National Field Manual is published separately and revised periodically. Newly published and revised chapters will be announced on the USGS Home Page on the World Wide Web under "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey." The URL for this page is http://water.usgs.gov/lookup/get?newpubs.

INTRODUCTION

As part of its mission, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects data needed to assess the quality of our Nation's water resources. The National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (National Field Manual) describes protocols (requirements and recommendations) and provides guidelines for USGS personnel who collect data used to assess the quality of the Nation's surface-water and ground-water resources.

The National Field Manual is Section A of Book 9 of the USGS publication series Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations (TWRI). A complete list of TWRI publications is included at the end of this report. The National Field Manual is comprised of individually published chapters. Chapter numbers are preceded by an "A" to indicate that the report is part of the National Field Manual.

Chapter A9 has been designed to assist field personnel in the safe execution of water-quality data collection. This report provides general guidance and information on common safety issues, promotes awareness of preventive measures, identifies hazards that might threaten safety, and stresses a panic-free and common-sense approach when confronted with field hazards. The USGS also provides training, equipment, and medical programs that address a variety of safety situations. The references cited in this report and safety officers in local, district, or regional offices of the USGS can provide additional detailed information.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

Chapter A9 provides USGS personnel with information about hazards they may encounter during field work, and describes procedures that, when implemented properly, will help ensure the safety and health of field personnel. The report is designed to be taken to the field as an immediately available reference.

Chapter A9 addresses only the most common safety issues in water-quality sampling. Safety guidelines of a general nature are included regarding basic policies, protocols, and regulations adhered to by the USGS, including use of vehicles, surface-water and ground-water field activities related to the collection of water-quality data, handling of chemical substances, and appropriate response when confronted by environmental (weather, animals, plants) hazards. Each USGS office is unique and has special safety requirements. An exhaustive discussion of detailed safety issues is beyond the scope of this chapter. Chapter A9 is meant to be used in conjunction with more comprehensive manuals cited in the references that provide details on rules, regulations, remedies, and recommendations that apply to the myriad of specific locales, climates, field conditions, and circumstances.

FIELD MANUAL REVIEW AND REVISION

Chapters of the National Field Manual will be reviewed, revised, and reissued periodically to correct any errors, incorporate technical advances, and address additional topics. Please send comments or corrections to: NFM-QW, USGS, National Center 412, Reston, VA 20192 (or send electronic mail to: nfm-owq@usgs.gov). Newly published and revised chapters will be announced on the USGS Home Page on the World Wide Web under "New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey." The URL for this page is http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/index.html.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The information included in the National Field Manual is based on existing manuals, a variety of reference documents, and a broad spectrum of colleague expertise. In addition to the references provided, important source materials include USGS handbooks, manuals, and technical memorandums. Special thanks is extended to Maynard Cox for suggestions for improving the sections on animals and plants and for generously allowing the use of his material.

The authors wish to acknowledge the following individuals in the USGS who provided valuable contributions as technical reviewers that improved the accuracy and quality of this document: F.L. Andrews, C.E. Arozarena, D.J. Cowing, R.D. Gist, G.J. Hwang, T.A. Muir, and K.R. Thompson. F.D. Wilde was the managing editor, with editorial and publication assistance from I.M. Collies, L.S. Rogers, C.T. Mendelsohn, and A.M. Weaver.

Section A9.

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