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VIII. Outdoor Safety - Field Studies
Taking students on field studies
can be a valuable, positive addition to the science program, especially for
younger children and/or in an environmental curriculum. An effective field
study is most valuable when educational objectives are clearly identified and
the activities are constructed or designed to achieve those objectives. When
the study is well planned and organized, the possibility of accidents
occurring is greatly reduced. Thorough preparation can ensure safety for all
participants. 1. Permissions and
Notifications a. Obtain the
principal’s approval and inform other staff of the date and destination of
the trip. b. Obtain parents’
permission for their children to participate in studies off the school
grounds. Have students take a written description of the trip home to their
parents. Include in the information the types of clothing to be worn, safety
precautions to be taken, and a parental permission form. c. On the day of the
field study, post on the classroom/laboratory door or other conspicuous
location a sign indicating the destination of the class trip and departure
and return times. 2. Participation a. Determine the
appropriateness of the field study for all students based on any physical
disabilities, allergies, or other conditions that could impair or limit their
participation. b. Compile a list of
all students participating in the trip and provide a copy to the school
office. 3. Arrangements a. Make appropriate
arrangements with the special education staff, school nurse, and/or parents
for students with special needs. b. Arrange for
transportation to the site using transportation approved by the local school
system. c. When planning a
trip to a facility such as a factory or laboratory, arrange for an
experienced facility representative to conduct the tour. The visit should be
well supervised. d. Arrange for
parents or other responsible adults to assist with supervision as
appropriate. 4. Rules a. Follow the rules
your school or school system has established relating to trips outside the
school. Make sure students know whether or not regular school rules apply
during the field study off campus. Inform students of any specific school
rules that apply to field trips. b. Before each trip,
establish rules for safe student conduct and explain the rules to all
participating students and adult supervisors. 5. Site Survey Visit the
site prior to the trip and conduct a survey of the area. The survey should
include identification of any of the following conditions or potential
dangers that need to be addressed in planning the trip: a. Conditions that
could cause students to fall, such as steep terrain, slippery or unstable
rocks, or animal burrows or holes b. Unstable objects
overhead that may fall c. Foot bridges or
other crossings which may collapse under student weight d. Deep water or
currents strong enough to sweep students off balance e. Animals capable
of injuring students, including poisonous or venomous animals, ticks, or
mites f. Potentially
allergic substances or poisonous plants g. Vehicle traffic h. Seasonal hunting
areas i. Electrical
hazards j. Threatened and
endangered species k. Areas that have
been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides 6. Precautions and
Emergencies Before
the field study, some precautionary measures should be taken to ensure a safe
trip. These measures include the following: a. Based on the
pre-trip survey, map the safest passage through the area. b. Instruct the
students in ·
safe methods of
movement through the study area, with special caution given to the transport
of equipment. ·
recognition and avoidance of
poisonous plants and animals. ·
the need for and use
of appropriate shoes and other clothing. ·
safe methods for
working on or near bodies of water (including the appropriate use of the
buddy system and life jackets). ·
the proper use of
equipment, including the use of chemical splash safety goggles (or other eye
protective devices). ·
proper use and handling
of chemicals used for water and soil testing. The following
websites offer more information on this topic: a. Prepare for
emergencies in the following ways: ·
Determine a method for contacting the school office in the
case of an emergency. ·
Be prepared to follow the school or school system’s emergency
procedures in the event of an accident. ·
Maintain up-to-date medical information and emergency
telephone numbers for each student. ·
Be aware of any medications students are currently taking and
determine if the medications will need to be taken while on the trip. ·
Be sure that first-aid kits are readily available and check
the kits to make sure they contain the essential items. ·
Identify procedures for the immediate, on-site treatment for
insect or animal bites, accidental ingestion of poisonous plant matter, or
other medical emergencies until professional medical treatment is obtained. ·
Be prepared to provide appropriate means for transporting an
injured student to receive treatment. 1. Monitor students
to ensure that they are adhering to the precautions and rules developed in
planning the trip. 2. Specific
considerations for safety at the site include the following: a. Goggles
i.
Require students to wear chemical splash safety goggles
whenever they use laboratory reagents or liquids. Students should wear impact
goggles when using sharp objects such as chipping hammers or picks. All
persons in close proximity to such activities must also wear goggles. •See
Chapter IV.A, Eye Protection Concerns.
ii.
If students share goggles, the goggles must be cleaned and
disinfected after each use. See Chapter III.D.5, Sanitation of Safety
Goggles. b. Collecting
Organisms Field
study should not include the collection of organisms unless a valid
educational purpose is served by the collection and adequate research has
been done to ensure both the safety and legality of the collection. •See
Chapter IX, Biology and Environmental Science. c. Containers Use
plastic, paper, or cloth containers to prevent cuts and loss of specimens due
to breakage. Avoid glass collection jars or containers where possible. |
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