A Guide to Safe Field Operations
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-777
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Procedures
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Training for New Employees
Since many of the field activities that hydrologists and hydrologic
technicians are asked to undertake are unique to our Division, it is
incumbent on the Division to provide proper safety training for new
employees and refresher courses for all employees. The USGS Handbooks,
445-1-H and 445-2-H, outline the training requirements for managers,
supervisors, and employees. Training will include a combination of formal
classroom training, reading assignments, discussions with the supervisor,
and on-the-job training. The employee's immediate supervisor has the
primary responsibility of ensuring that adequate training is provided.
Training begins with discussions between the supervisor and the employee on
the mission of the Division, activities assigned to individual offices, and
what is expected of the employee. The supervisor needs to assess the
employee's capabilities and maturity, determine his or her previous safety
record, determine the type of training and previous field experience, and
discuss a specific training plan for the individual. The employee also
will need to accurately state his or her previous experience and training,
ask questions about the nature of potential assignments, and be confident
that the instructions and training will be adequate for the employee to
begin field activities.
The training plan for each employee will consist of at least the following
elements:
- Orientation for the new employee by the
supervisor, administrative officer, safety officer, and office manager.
- Reading assignments--Handbook for New Employees, (USGS, 1990),
Field Safety Guidelines for the U.S. Geological Survey, Central Region
(Tiball, 1984), excerpts from the USGS Safety Handbook (USGS, August 1989)
and appropriate TWRI's.
- Formal initial training and refresher courses--Defensive
driving, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), boating and
water safety, and swimming, if employee is a nonswimmer.
- Supervisory instruction and on-the-job training--Communication
with office and others, vehicle operation and maintenance, care and use of
instruments and specialized equipment, proper care and use of hand and
power tools, hazardous situations in the field, safety inspections, and
specific technical procedures to be followed.
- Level I training on ground-water, surface-water, and
water-quality principles.
Depending on the nature and location of assignments, other special training
may be appropriate including wilderness survival, advanced boating,
navigation, scuba diving, techniques for off-road/back-road driving,
driving in adverse weather, and aircraft operation.
Previous--General Operation and Safety
Procedures
Contents
Next--Communications
A Guide to Safe Field Operations
U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 95-777
http://water.er.usgs.gov/pubs/ofr/ofr95777/training.html
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