Surveying Safety

A field survey party frequently works its way through rugged terrain a long distance away from any professional medical assistance. Navigating through brush, felling trees, and crossing streams are all hazardous as are the use of such edged tools as machetes, brush hooks, axes, and hatchets. Besides those dangers which are inherent in the work itself, a survey party may be exposed to a variety of natural dangers, such as those created by weather conditions, poisonous plants, reptiles, and insects. In some areas there may be dangerous wild animals, or even dangerous domestic animals such as vicious dogs or angry bulls. When a survey party is working along a roadway, there is the ever-present danger of being struck by a vehicle.

In the midst of such a variety of dangers, the only way to prevent injury is to be continually aware of the hazards around you. Every person in a survey party must be aware of all existing hazards, be able to recognize a hazardous situation approaching, and be trained to take appropriate preventive measures.

First Aid

Make sure your vehicle contains a fully equipped First Aid kit before going to the field.

If personal injury does occur, it is essential that its effect be minimized as much as possible by the exercise of first aid, which is defined as "the emergency care given sick or injured persons until regular medical or surgical aid can be obtained."

Weather Hazards

Two very common weather hazards are exposure to extreme cold or heat, resulting in frostbite and heatstroke. Burns to exposed skin areas from prolonged exposure to wind or sun also present a hazard.

For all weather hazards, the best preventive measure is to wear adequate protective clothing. Ears, fingers, toes and your face are most susceptible to frostbite. When the weather is cold enough to cause frostbite, a hat or face mask which covers your ears, gloves or mittens, and woolen socks are essential. Always wear layers of clothing.

Wear a hat when you will be exposed to the sun for long periods and keep as much of your skin protected from prolonged exposure. Nobody is immune to sunburn. Even persons who tend to tan, rather than burn, can and will burn eventually.  Also keep in mind, everyone is susceptible to a form of skin cancer caused by prolonged and repeated exposure to sunlight.

In general, wear or carry with you clothing that will provide adequate protection against the weather. Do not take only clothing that is adequate for the weather at the time you leave for the field. Conditions can change rapidly leaving you unfit for the conditions. Carry a change of clothing or keep dry socks in your vehicle.

Poisonous Reptiles and Insects

A Basic First Aid Training Course explains how, after being bitten by a poisonous reptile or insect, you can tell from the bite whether or not the reptile or insect was poisonous. However, to avoid being bitten in the first place, the best rule is to assume that any member of the reptile family (ie: snakes) may be poisonous, and that any insect you can't recognize as a non-poisonous variety may be poisonous (ie: bees, wasps, lyme ticks, spiders, etc.). Be aware of signs of allergic reactions and respond appropriately. Be conscious of local warnings (ie: Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus, etc.).

Poisonous Plants

The most common poisonous plants are poison ivy (including a variety called poison oak) and poison sumac. Both plants grow everywhere in North America. These plants contain and exude a resinous juice which produces a severe reaction when it comes in contact with the skin. The first symptom of itching or burning sensation may develop in a few hours or even after five days or more. The delay in development of symptoms is often confusing when an attempt is made to determine the time or location where contamination occurred. The itching sensation and subsequent inflammation that usually develops into watery blisters under the skin may continue for several days from a single contamination.  Persistence of symptoms over a long period is most likely caused by new contacts with plants, or by contact with previously contaminated clothing or animals.

Severe infection may produce more serious symptoms which result in much pain through abscesses, enlarged glands, fever, or other complications.  Secondary infections are always a possibility in any break in the skin, as occurs when watery blisters break.

With poison ivy the next development is usually the appearance of a scabrous, deep red rash over large skin areas. With poison sumac it is usually the appearance of large blisters, filled with a thick yellowish-white liquid strongly resembling pus. When the blisters break, this liquid runs over adjacent skin areas, and thus enlarges the area of infection.

The resinous juice exuded by these poisonous plants is almost entirely non-evaporating, or incapable of "drying up".  Consequently, the juice may be carried on clothing, shoes, tools, or soil for long periods and may thus infect persons who have actually not come into contact with the plants themselves. Individuals have, in fact, been severely infected by juice carried through air by smoke from burning plants. Others have been infected by juice carried on the fur of animals.

To avoid contact with the plants themselves, you must have an idea of what they look like. Poison ivy has a "trefoil" (three-leaflet) leaf. The upper surface of the leaflet has a shiny, varnished appearance. The variety called poison oak has a leaflet with a "serrated" or "lobed" edge like that of an oak leaf. Ordinary poison ivy is usually a vine, poison oak usually a bush. In the flowering season, both types produce clusters of small white berries.

There are poison sumacs and harmless sumacs, and it is often difficult to distinguish between the two. The only way to tell the poisonous plant from the harmless is by the fruit. Both plants produce a drooping cluster-type fruit. The difference lies in the color of their fruits. The fruit of the harmless sumac is red, while the fruit of the poison sumac is white. Outside of the fruit season, it is best to avoid contact with all sumac plants.

There are no "do-it-yourself" remedies for plant poisoning. Treatment must be provided by, or directed by, professional medical personnel. First aid consists entirely of preventive measures to be taken when you have contacted a poisonous plant. If you have reason to believe that you have been contaminated, wash thoroughly with water and an alkaline laundry soap. Do not use an oily soap. Most facial soaps are oily and will tend to spread the juice. Lather profusely, and do not rinse the lather off. Allow the lather to dry on the skin. Repeat this procedure every 3 or 4 hours. With each washing, allow the lather to dry.  Remember to wash survey equipment and tools that might have been in contact with the plant or juice.

If work site conditions (ie: nettle plants, jimson weed, smart weed in barnyard areas) make contact with plants unavoidable, wear gloves and long sleeves and keep all skin area covered. When you remove your clothing, do not allow any skin area to come into contact with exposed clothing. Launder all the clothing at once!

Safe Use of Field Equipment

Tools are a potential source of danger in all occupations. They should be inspected periodically to determine if repairs or replacements are necessary. Only tools in good condition should be used. There should be no loose heads on any hand tools. Edged tools should be kept sharp. All tools should be stored safely when not in use.

If tools with sharp blades or points are laid down temporarily, they should be placed in such a way that no injury can result to anyone. Sheaths or guards are desirable when carrying edged or pointed tools. If sheaths are not available, carry a tool with an edge or point away from your body and take care that you do not injure others with it.

Carry survey rods and poles vertically against your body so that another person's head or eyes will not be stuck and injured if you happen to turn suddenly. Do not hold a stake or bull point with your hand around the shank while another person is driving it with a hammer. Do not let a tape, sounding line, or plumb bob line slide fast through your hands.

Always use tools correctly and for the purpose for which they are intended. When cutting brush near the ground with a machete, always swing away from your legs and feet. Never cut at short range from your body. Be sure that your radius of swing is clear of obstructions, such as vines or twigs, that might deflect the tool and cause it to hit you. Use your full arm's length to get a safe-swing radius. Always work at least ten feet away from the nearest person. Wear gloves if you will be using a tool for long periods to prevent blisters. Above all, use common sense and consider the possible results of your actions.

When practicable, use only nonflammable solvents for cleaning instruments. Do not leave caps or stoppers off of flammable or caustic liquid containers at any time. Use solvents only in a well-ventilated location. Read directions and warnings on labels.

Safety in Traffic

A survey party working on a roadway where vehicle traffic is present, is in great danger of being struck. Every movement you make must be made with a continuing, full awareness that vehicle traffic is present. The dangers of the situation should be minimized as much as possible by the following measures, as well as by others which particular circumstances may call for.

As much as possible, work should be scheduled during times when traffic is the lightest. Work during rush hour on a metropolitan highway, for instance, would be so dangerous as to be not feasible.

Adequate markers, cones, and traffic warning signs, such as ''Survey Party Ahead", "Drive Slowly", "Single Lane Ahead", should be placed where they will be highly visible and most effective in warning drivers approaching or entering the work zone. If possible, detour traffic away from the survey party. If detouring requires two-way traffic on a single lane, a flag person must be posted at each end of the lane. Follow state and local laws.

Signs, barriers, and survey equipment in use should be made as conspicuous as possible by the attachment of brightly colored bunting. All members of a survey party should make themselves as conspicuous as possible by wearing fluorescent colored shirts, vests, or jackets.

If you are placed in a situation where a vehicle may strike the survey equipment, you may have a strong impulse to attempt to rescue it. Do not attempt to rescue the instrument. An instrument can be repaired or replaced. Your safety is far more important than the instrument.

Safety Around Construction Equipment

Surveys are often are conducted while construction equipment is being operated on the job site. Always make sure the operator sees you and acknowledges your presence. Always setup the survey equipment a safe distance from construction equipment, and stand at a safe distance while observing it’s operation. Never stand on a piece of construction equipment to speak with it’s operator. Allow the operator to idle or shut the equipment down and dismount.

Safety On Construction Sites

Always wear a hard hat in areas where one is required. Be aware of construction activities and hazards on the site.

Safety Around Utilities

Be aware of overhead electrical lines and electric fences. This is especially important with survey rods and poles that are made from metal.

If you have a surveying safety tip that you would like to share via this web page, you may contact Gary Vandawalker.

Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

State Conservation Engineer

Peter E. Wright
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6538

If you encounter any problems with this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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