Field research and planning

Researchers who are planning on conducting research activities in the field, in solitary, remote, or distant locations need to plan carefully and consider their own safety and wellbeing as well as that of their research team.

Researchers must submit their completed Field Activities Plan to their supervisor for review/approval. An approved copy of the Field Activities Plan must then be filed with the Research Services Office and the Employee Health Coordinator prior to conducting any research in the field.

The Field Research Planning Guide has been developed to guide researchers through the considerations, policies, procedures and tools necessary to plan a safe and successful research activity. The guide outlines occupational health and safety policies, procedures, and emergency first-aid response, as well as providing resources and planning tools including:

• Field Research Planning Timetables (Domestic and International)
  • Outline of the various tasks necessary to appropriately plan the research field activity with recommended timeframes for accomplishing each planning piece.
• Field Research Emergency Information
  • To be completed for each member of the research team and filed with the Field Activities Plan.
• Field Research General Hazard Assessment Template
  • To be utilized to make an initial assessment of the field location and develop mitigation and management strategies for all identified hazards.
• Field Research Occupational Health and Safety Occurrence Report
  • To be used only in the event that an incident occurs that requires reporting as outlined in AU's Occupational Health and Safety Policy.
• Field Research Standard Operating Procedure Template
  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs) must be developed if the field research activity involves any unique or specialized processes or procedures and/or will require the use of special equipment or tools. SOPs must be filed with the Research Office as part of the Field Activities Plan.