Field safety at VCU
Field activities are a vital and multidisciplinary part of the research and educational mission at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). However, field research activities can have unexpected hazards that are uncontrollable and can result in life threatening situations. Preparation is key. To support this work, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), in collaboration with the VCU Rice Rivers Center and VCU School of Life Science and Sustainability, has developed a comprehensive Field Safety Program to standardize safety practices before, during and after field research activities.
Below are several useful resources to help guide planning and safe field operations. Start with the VCU Field Safety Guide, which outlines key safety requirements, risk assessments, emergency procedures, training protocols and other essential information.
All field research preparation must start with a risk assessment conducted by the field research team lead in collaboration with the field team. EHS has created a Field Safety and Emergency Management Plan template for field teams to complete prior to going in the field. Everyone on the field team must be familiar with the contents of this plan which include risks (both known and potential), mitigation strategies, safety equipment, personal protection equipment required and emergency response procedure.
For questions or support, please contact EHS at labsafety@vcu.edu.
VCU Field Safety Guide
The VCU Field Safety Guide serves as a guide for all VCU faculty, staff, and students that participate in field research or courses that include field activities. The VCU Field Safety Guide includes definitions of field activities, responsibilities, hazards in the field and hazard mitigation, and a variety of planning resources for preparation, communication, emergency preparedness, and best practices.
Field Safety and Emergency Management Plan
The Field Safety and Emergency Management Plan serves as a risk assessment and emergency preparedness tool for groups that are planning field activities and should be completed before any field research or field course activities takes place, and should be reviewed and updated when activities change or conditions change. Directions on how to complete this are included in the document.
Research-specific training for fieldwork
The research-specific training for fieldwork document serves as a record of any task specific training that group members may be required to complete as part of their field activity safety training.
Satellite communication device loan request
VCU EHS-OHS has two Garmin InReach Mini satellite communication device units and two Iridium Extreme satellite phones available for loan, available on a first-come-first-served basis.
- The Garmin units have check-in texting available via satellite in areas where cellular or internet availability is limited.
- The Iridium satellite phones have both voice call and texting capability via satellite.
Complete the request form and attend a short overview session with an EHS staff member to reserve the device(s). The team must also have a field safety and emergency management plan written, reviewed and approved by the principle investigator before checking out a device.
Environmental Health & Safety
Available for various hazard information and hazard evaluations
Contact EHS: (804) 828-2596
Institutional Biosafety Committee
Research with microorganisms or recombinant DNA must be reviewed and approved by the committee prior to beginning research. Contact the Biosafety Officer for assistance.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Research with animals, including wild animals, must be reviewed and approved by the committee prior to beginning research.
Worker’s Compensation
Human Resources Services is available for questions about workers’ compensation coverage and injury reports.
VCU Travel Information
Contact: Administration Associate Director
Other resources
The following Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fact sheets summarize several different hazards that may be encountered in the field, including mitigation strategies. Please note that this is not a complete listing of hazards. Always perform a risk assessment before conducting field work to identify hazards where work will take place or contact VCU EHS at labsafety@vcu.edu for assistance.
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Avian Flu
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Black Widow Spiders
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Brown Recluse Spiders
- OSHA Fact Sheet: General Decontamination Procedures
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Planning and Responding to Workplace Emergencies
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Fall Protection
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Fire Ants
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Fungi Hazards and Flood Cleanup
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Using Portable Generators Safely
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Grounding Requirements for Portable Generators
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely in the Heat
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Keeping Workers Well-Hydrated
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Personal Risk Factors and Heat Exposure
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Prevent Heat Illness Among Pregnant Workers
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Protecting Workers from the Effects of Heat
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Stopping Human Trafficking
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Lightning Safety When Working Outdoors
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Lyme Disease Alert
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Workplace Mental Health
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Mold
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Vehicle Safety
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Mpox Virus
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Noroviruses
- OSHA Fact Sheet: PPE
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Reducing the Risk of Worker Exposure to Disease-Carrying Ticks
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Wet Nile Virus
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Workplace Violence
- OSHA Fact Sheet: Interim Guidance for Protecting Workers from Occupational Exposure to Zika Virus