Field Research

Safely working and conducting research outdoors, off-campus, and abroad.

NSF Safe & Inclusive Fieldwork Handout

Sara Souza
2023

Safe & Inclusive Off-Campus Research

A written plan is required per the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 23-1 for NSF-funded research.

Working in Hot Weather: Reminders for Employees & Supervisors

June 29, 2023

It’s summertime and warmer temperatures are returning. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the region starting Friday. Heat can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions. Please share this information with supervisors and employees in your department that work outdoors or may be exposed to high temperatures indoors during their workday.

Outdoor work when temperature exceeds 80°F

Workers performing job duties outside...

Heat Illness Prevention and Response

Work in hot environments can have direct effects on human health including, heat exhaustion, reduced labor productivity, and heat stroke. All university employees who work outdoors or in environments with elevated indoor temperatures may be at risk for heat illness– the group of medical conditions caused by the body’s inability to cope with heat.

Heat exposure can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

It is important to take precautions and to be prepared for high heat conditions....

COVID-19: Precautions and considerations for travel or fieldwork

August 16, 2022
Institutional Review For international travel, follow CDC guidance and the two-step approval process posted on the UC Berkeley Global Engagement website. General precautions and considerations: Symptoms Stay home if sick with a fever or cough or close contact with COVID cases within the last 14 days. Travel Registration Remind all participants to register travel via UC Away. ...

UC Berkeley Field Safety Plan

Office of Environment, Health & Safety

A field safety plan serves as a tool to document your hazard assessment, communication plan, emergency procedures, and training. This plan should identify hazards, as well as precautions and actions taken to address and mitigate those hazards.

Workplace Safety

California state regulations require every employer to establish, implement and maintain an effective Injury & Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). In August 2017, the University adopted a campuswide Workplace Safety Program that serves as the University’s central IIPP for creating a safe and healthful work environment. Having one program for the whole University helps to improve access, consistency, and usability across all departments. EH&S is the responsible department for overseeing the campuswide Workplace Safety Program. The campus Workplace Safety Program is based on the Injury...

Sara Souza

Program Director, UC Field Research Safety
Field Safety
Field Research
Outdoor Air Quality
Wildfire Smoke

Safe and Inclusive Working Environments for Off-Campus or Off-Site Research

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires plans for safe & inclusive off-campus and off-site research, effective January 30, 2023.

A written plan is required per the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) 23-1 for NSF-funded research; see NSF PAPPG (2023)

The plan must describe how the following types of behavior...