UC Field Research Safety
Greetings All. To wrap up 2019 I'm sharing a photo collection from projects across UC to celebrate the variety and complexity of fieldwork. Plus some news and info from Bodega Marine Lab, WRMC, and UCLA. As always, please reach out to me at sarasouza@berkeley.edu with any specific questions or concerns. Best, Sara
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Notes from WRMC 2019 (Thanks Heather!)
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Several workshops focused on the concepts of Safety Differently and a shift from traditional top-down safety decision-making to a more progressive bottom-up risk management. In one seminar, we discussed research on the factors that influence a healthy workplace safety culture (Hallowell and Gambatese 2009). Some of the most valuable actions you can take are to involve workers in safety decision-making and evaluations, demonstrate support from upper management, and conduct a job hazard analysis and safety briefing before starting a new project.
Podcast recommendation: Pre-Accident Investigation. Conklin interviews interesting people and shares powerful stories from various industries. One line stands out: “Safety is not the absence of events; safety is the presence of defenses.” This concept emphasizes the value of looking at the times when things went right, instead of only focusing on bad outcomes. Were you really safe during the days when nothing went wrong, or did you just get lucky when you made a mistake or were unprepared? Lessons to take away: Build resilience, healthy working relationships, and good decision-making skills in your staff.
Learn more: Wilderness Risk Management Conference Online Resource Center.
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Cold Water Survival Workshop at Bodega Marine Lab
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The 1-10-1 Rule of Immersion:
- You have 1 minute to steady your breath from cold water shock response
- You have 10 minutes of meaningful movement
- You have 1 hour of survival time immersed in cold water
Survival Tactics:
- Dress to stay alive (your PFD & PPE)
- Call for help and stay together
- Minimize exposure (immersion suit)
- Gather survival resources
- Get out of the water and make shelter (life float/raft)
- Have a positive mindset and plan
Thank you to James, Jason, and others from the Scientific Boating Safety Association (SBSA) for hosting this cold water survival workshop. We donned immersion suits, deployed 4-person and 25-person life rafts, and practiced linking up and moving as a group in the water, assisting injured, and getting in and out of the life rafts.
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New Staff Introduction: Claudia Alli, PhD
Title: EH&S Field Safety Specialist at UCLA
Experience: My passion for research has taken me from the raging North Sea to the smoldering jungle of Costa Rica, as far south as Chile and to the world’s northernmost reefs in Bermuda. During a stop-over in Mississippi, I earned a PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences while managing Mississippi State University’s fish hatchery. Accepting a position as Lab Manager in the Pajonk Lab at UCLA made “California Dreaming” a reality. The switch from research to Field Safety was based on careful observation of the EH&S folks at UCLA — these guys have way too much fun! My objective, while building the Field Research Program, is to extend the strong safety culture from the lab into the field. Field Research Safety services will make UCLA and its wide-ranging tendrils a safer place to work and conduct research.
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Lesson Learned: While working at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, a group of researchers went out to observe spiny lobsters in their natural habitat. A new member went with them and stayed on the boat while they conducted the dive.
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After some time, the new member felt nervous about the length of the dive and returned to the Biological Station. As you might imagine, chaos ensued. Nobody had the exact coordinates of the dive site, it was getting dark and emergency procedures were not in place. After hours of unsuccessful search and rescue, the families of the missing researchers were informed. Later that night the exhausted and angry divers staggered into the facility after swimming for hours to shore and then walking from a remote location back to the Biological Station. What a relief, and what a wake-up call! Simple preparation could have prevented this near miss situation. The fear I experienced during the hours of uncertainty shaped my outlook on safety and eventually made it my profession!
A Favorite Outdoor Place: Redondo Beach King Harbor for paddleboarding
Email: calli@ehs.ucla.edu
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Field Research Safety for Biosafety Professionals
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In February I'll be leading a 4-hour course at the CDC Biosafety Symposium in Atlanta with Jamie Bishop of UCSB and Scott Patlovich of the U of Texas. Please let your biosafety or vet med colleagues that may be attending the symposium know about this new professional course.
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NOLS Risk Management Training: Deadline Friday
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Last, if you are interested in attending the NOLS Risk Management Training for Outdoor Program Administrators March 11-12, please complete this online survey by this Friday December 20. It looks like we'll have a great group of researchers and staff coming together at Blue Oak Ranch Reserve. I will reply to everyone that expresses interest by mid-January.
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That's all for now, but numerous workshops and trainings are being planned for 2020, stay tuned.
Enjoy the season and cheers to a healthy, happy new year!
Warmly, Sara
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