Field Research

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

Encounters with Dangerous Animals and Plants

James McCabe
2023

This workshop at UCLA includes a review of common species of venomous and poisonous animals and plants found in the Western United States and covers basic first aid, precautions, necessary field equipment and site preparation (i.e.: PPE, first aid kits, safe animal handling equipment, etc.) as well as communication and transportation considerations. Please note that we don't encourage handling animals in the wild!

Speaker: James...

UC Field Safety Leadership Training Series

UC Field Research Safety Center of Excellence
Updated November 2025
2023

Improve your leadership and communication skills! The UC Field Research Safety Center of Excellence’s leadership training series features timely, challenging topics led by subject matter experts, presented online in workshop format with example scenarios, practice skills, and planning guidance to promote safe teaching and research outdoors, at remote sites, and abroad. Access the UC Field Safety Leadership Training Series Library below.

Off-Road Driving: Lessons Learned & Precautions

Breezy Jackson
Steven Devanzo
Brett Pickering
Geoff Davis
2023

Panel discussion on lessons learned & precautions to take during off-road driving.

Panelists:

Breezy Jackson, Director, Yosemite & Sequoia Field Stations, University of California Merced

Geoff Davis, Network & Systems Engineer, Geophysics & Planetary Physics, University of California San Diego

Steven Devanzo, Operations Manager, White Mountain Research Center, University of California Los Angeles

Brett Pickering, Boating Safety Officer, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of...

Vehicles and Equipment

Tools & Equipment, Field Safety PPE for snow mobiles, etc. - Back-country Safety Equipment and Training All-Terrain Vehicles - ATV and Snowmobile Gear Recommendations Guidance on outdoor, agricultural and pesticide operations (UC Ag & Natural Resources) Driving...

Heat Illness Prevention and Response

Heat Illness Prevention and Response

Work in hot environments can have direct effects on human health including, heat exhaustion, heat stoke, and can lead to reduced labor productivityAll 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...

James Hayward

UC NoCal (UCB/UCM) and Gump Station Dive & Boat Safety Officer (UC Santa Barbara)
UC Dive & Boat Safety Enterprise
Diving Safety
Boat Safety
Gump Station
UCOP

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...

Wildfire Smoke

Providing resources and guidance for the UC Berkeley community to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke.

Campus Committees

Certain high-hazard activities and equipment require additional safety training and written pre-approval. Faculty-led committees issue use authorizations for high hazard activities to ensure the work is safe and monitored appropriately. These include:

collapse all expand all Laboratory Operations & Safety Committee

Summary of Charges

The campus Laboratory Operations...

Training

The EH&S training team creates, delivers, and tracks health, safety, and environmental training for all faculty, staff, and students.