Field Research

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

Respiratory Protection Program

Office of Environment, Health & Safety
2018

EH&S evaluates workplaces for possible airborne hazards and recommends ways to reduce these hazards when found. When appropriate, EH&S will fit campus workers with respirators and provide annual training on their proper use. This program is administered in cooperation with University Health Services. UHS evaluates a person's ability to safely wear a respirator prior to a respirator being issued. For more information contact EH&S at ehs@berkeley.edu.

Reminders: Working in Hot Weather

September 30, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Warmer temperatures are returning. The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the region. 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 must follow the campus...

Know Before You Go: Planning Resources for Fieldwork Symposium

October 2, 2024
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research
Off-Campus, Field, and International Research: Resources for a Safe and Inclusive Experience Know Before You Go: Planning Resources for Fieldwork

The town hall will be held on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 online from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm.

Zoom Information

Access Zoom link

Zoom Meeting ID: 948 3905 3719

Passcode: 6427540.

About the Town Hall

This town hall...

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
UCOP Center of Excellence
Field Safety
Field Research
Outdoor Air Quality
Wildfire Smoke

Working in Hot Weather: Reminders for Employees and Supervisors

May 13, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Working in high temperatures 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 must follow the campus ...

Resources and Guides

Job Safety Analysis (JSA)

A JSA describes job tasks in step-by-step fashion, identifies associated hazards at each step, and outlines proper hazard controls that minimize the risk of injury or illness to the individual(s) performing that task.

JSAs Listed by Topic: Body Mechanics ...

New Field Safety Hazard Assessment Question

April 23, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

A NEW Field Hazards section is now live in UC Berkeley's Lab Hazard Assessment Tool (LHAT)

What to expect?

During recertification of existing assessments, PIs will see a new fieldwork screening question. If any members of your research group conduct fieldwork or research off-campus, mark "Yes."

Example fieldwork activities include:

specimen collection

surveys...

Field Safety Reminders for the Spring/Summer

April 16, 2024
Office of Environment, Health, and Safety

Following these simple steps supports safe and successful research.

Five reminders for the Spring/Summer fieldwork & travel season

Register all University travel >100 miles via UC Away (Calnet login required) for travel insurance documentation, 24/7 travel assistance, and a destination-specific trip brief.

For international travel, review the...

UC Enterprise Dive & Boat Safety Program

Diving and boating safety services for UC Berkeley researchers are provided by the UC Enterprise Dive & Boat Safety Program, hosted at UC Santa Barbara.

The UC Enterprise Dive and Boat Safety Program supports the Dive and Boat Safety Programs throughout the UC system as well as provides the oversight and support for all scientific diving and boating operations by UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, and at the...