A Guide to Safe Field Operations
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-777


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Communication

Communication, as defined in the American Heritage Dictionary (William, Morris, ed., 1976), is the exchange of thoughts, messages, or the like, as by speech, signals, or writing. Thus, if we are to accomplish our mission and do it efficiently without any personal injury or property damage, we must exchange our thoughts and ideas with each other. Communication is a two-way street: it includes instructions and questions and answers if clarification is needed, it includes letting people know where you are going and why and checking to make sure of safe returns, and it includes contacting others to explain our plans and receive permission to enter on or use the property of others.

Making assignments and conveying instructions for accomplishing assigned tasks is the responsibility of the supervisor; making sure the assignments and instructions are understood is the responsibility of both the supervisor and the employee and this constitutes an effective two-way communication. In addition to specific instructions, the supervisor needs to explain the purpose of the assignment and how it relates to our overall mission. The employee will be in a better position to accomplish the tasks if he or she understands the importance of the assignment and its relation to the other work that we do; the employee will be able to think about the assignments, make plans, and make adjustments to get the job done. On the other hand, the employee needs to be thinking why and how. Why is this task important and how am I going to get it done? If the employee doesn't know, he or she needs to ask questions and gets answers from the supervisor. Supervisors prefer spending extra time repeating instructions and answering questions rather than having an employee return from the field without completing the assigned task.

Communication also is critical (second only to thinking) for safety. Employees must be made aware of potential risks, how to avoid them, and how to get help if an accident does occur. Supervisors need to know where employees are going and when they will return to provide information to searchers and rescuers in case the employees do not return from an assignment. Special communication equipment, such as two-way radios or cellular telephones, are necessary if assignments are in remote locations. Remember to think, communicate, and consider the following procedures to ensure your safety:

Another important aspect of communication is conveying plans for hydrologic data-collection activities to cooperators and landowners. Almost all field activities are conducted on land or water that is in private ownership or under the jurisdiction of local, state, or federal agencies. Before starting an assignment, contact the appropriate individuals, discuss plans, and receive permission. Give them a schedule of planned activities and keep them posted on progress. Time spent talking with a public official or landowner may help avoid problems or gain their cooperation for activities in the future. We can do our job only if we have access to collect the needed data.


Previous--Training for New Employees
Contents
Next--Preparing for the Field
A Guide to Safe Field Operations
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-777

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