While you are out
Please familiarise yourself with each hazard below and ways to mitigate each. Also read through the attached documents.
Hazard
Volunteers get lost or injured
Take a GPS or map of the area. Trap.nz is a great tool for keeping you on track, so always take a fully charged mobile phone.
Leave your intentions with a friend, family member or the volunteers’ coordinator.
Take a mobile phone (charged) with the phone numbers of the volunteers’ coordinator (Jasmine) and project manager (Kristel).
Volunteers should be experienced and suitability assessed – or assigned an appropriate buddy – especially when starting as a volunteer with the project.
Volunteers do not go to remote locations alone unless adequately equipped and experienced.
Take all the gear on the gear list.
Volunteers have access to the bush safety guidelines (below).
Volunteers have been given the emergency procedures (below).
Mitigation
Uneven ground/Access risks – walking stream banks, slippery slopes, farmland, climbing fences, walkways and boardwalks
Hazard A
Deteriorating/variable weather conditions/exposure – dehydration, exposure, hypothermia
Hazard B
Always check weather predictions/forecasts before fieldwork.
Ensure that you have appropriate clothing, such as wet weather gear, hat, warm jacket, sunglasses etc.
Have a change of dry clothes in your vehicle.
Use GPS tracking device where possible.
Have a charged phone with you.
Take water with you in the field to remain hydrated.
Take regular rest breaks.
Wear sunscreen and reapply frequently where appropriate.
Cancel field trip in severe weather.
All dangerous stream crossings need to be avoided during and after heavy rainfall.
Mitigation
Steep slopes, rockfaces, outcrops
Hazard
Stay away from unstable ground, rock faces and be aware of potential overhangs.
Mitigation
Livestock and wild animals
Hazard
Check with landowner about hazards including location of stock.
Avoid stock if possible.
Stay alert and watch where the livestock are at all times.
Mitigation
Stings and cuts – from insects & plants. Can include: bees, wasps, nettles, and cutting grass.
Hazard
Field work is not to be carried out if you are known to be allergic during peak wasp season.
Anyone with allergies must carry their own medications with them when in the field.
Let people know you have an allergy.
Avoid areas where wasp activity is high.
Carry a first aid kit (including insect bite/sting creams/antihistamines).
Volunteers are provided with the wasp safety guidelines (below).
Use insect repellent
Mitigation
Diseases from the environment
Hazard
Don’t drink untreated water – take your own drinking water; treat any water source you are unsure of as not potable.
Always wash hands and dry thoroughly before eating. Avoid water or mud splashes to your face, especially your mouth.
Mitigation
Poisonous plants
Hazard
Do not touch or consume unknown plants.
Mitigation
Un-sealed access roads access with vehicles – off-road driving (4-wheel drive).
Hazard
If in doubt or unsafe, do not drive – walk instead.
Only operate a 4WD off-road if formally trained in off-road vehicle training.
Check tire tread and pressure and site conditions.
Avoid greasy tracks, slippery grass and crossing turbid streams where the bottom can’t be seen.
Assess rivers before crossing.
Assess track suitability before driving – especially on steep slopes and ridges.
Mitigation
Setting traps, trap clearing and maintaining traps
Hazard
Training is compulsory for all volunteers.
Follow ALL trap-setting procedures and trap safety guidelines.
Mitigation
Working alone in the field
Hazard
Follow call-in procedures.
Carry a mobile phone for communication.
Always have a first aid kit and survival kit on you.
Check the weather forecast.
Carry personal locator beacon (provided) when out of phone reception area.
Mitigation
IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE IN DANGER OR ARE UNHAPPY WITH SAFETY WHEN CARRYING OUT ANY TASK, PLEASE STOP! KEEP YOURSELF SAFE AT ALL TIMES.