A GUIDE TO SAFE FIELD OPERATIONS 

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 95-777

U S. . DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

M A R C H 3 1 84 9
A GUIDE TO SAFE FIELD OPERATIONS 

By D.K. YOBBI, T.H. YORKE and R.T. MYCYK

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 95-777

Tallahassee, Florida

1996

U S. . DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

M A R C H 3 1 84 9
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BRUCE BABBITT, Secretary

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Gordon P. Eaton, Director

The safety procedures used in this report are ammended and distributed as needed to provide

current guidelines for USGS employees. To obtain copies or revisions of this report, please write:

Water Resources Division Safety Officer

U.S. Geological Survey

Office of the Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Operations

Branch of Operational Support, MS 405

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive

Reston, VA 22092
Contents III

CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

Your Role as a USGS Employee ........................................................................................................................................ 1

General Operational and Safety Procedures....................................................................................................................... 2

Training for New Employees.................................................................................................................................. 2

Communication....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Preparing for the Field ............................................................................................................................................ 4

Transportation......................................................................................................................................................... 5

In the Field.............................................................................................................................................................. 6

Weather........................................................................................................................................................ 6

Terrain ......................................................................................................................................................... 7

Animals ....................................................................................................................................................... 8

Poisonous Plants.......................................................................................................................................... 9

Equipment............................................................................................................................................................... 10

Maintenance and Storage........................................................................................................................................ 11

Safety Inspections................................................................................................................................................... 12

Specific Procedures and Safety Issues ............................................................................................................................... 12

Surface-Water Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Wading Measurements ................................................................................................................................ 12

Bridge Measurements.................................................................................................................................. 13

Cableway Measurements............................................................................................................................. 14

Boat Measurements..................................................................................................................................... 15

Discharge Measurements Under Ice Cover................................................................................................. 16

Indirect Flood Discharge Measurements..................................................................................................... 16

Electrofishing .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Construction, Repair, and Maintenance of Streamgaging Stations............................................................. 17

Gage Inspection and Records Removal....................................................................................................... 18

Scuba Diving ............................................................................................................................................... 18

Ground-Water Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 19

Well Inventory ............................................................................................................................................. 19

Collecting Water-Level Data ....................................................................................................................... 20

Instrumenting and Repairing Observation Wells......................................................................................... 20

Drilling Observation Wells.......................................................................................................................... 21

Conducting Aquifer Tests............................................................................................................................ 21

Geophysical Logging of Wells .................................................................................................................... 22

Surface Geophysical Measurements ........................................................................................................... 23

Water-Quality Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 23

Collecting Samples From Streams, Rivers, and Lakes................................................................................ 24

Sampling Wells............................................................................................................................................ 24

Sample Preservation and Shipment............................................................................................................. 25

Operating Field Parameter Meters .............................................................................................................. 26

Installing and Operating Water-Quality Monitors....................................................................................... 26

References .......................................................................................................................................................................... 27

Additional Reading ............................................................................................................................................................ 27

ACRONYMS USED IN THIS REPORT:
IV Contents

AC Alternating Current

CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

EF Electrofishing

GFCI Ground-Fault-Circuit-Interruptor

IRP Installation Restoration Program

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

PFD Personal Flotation Device

PVC Polyvinyl Chloride

RP Redox Potential

TCP Traffic Control Plan

TWRI Techniques for Water-Resources Investigations

US United States

USGS United States Geological Survey

WRD Water Resources Division
Your Role as a USGS Employee 1

INTRODUCTION

Most functions of the U.S. Geological Survey 

(USGS), Water Resources Division (WRD) require 

employees to participate in numerous field activities 

ranging from routine meetings with cooperators, other 

federal and public officials, and private citizens to 

potentially hazardous assignments, such as making 

flood measurements and scuba diving to service 

underwater instruments. It is paramount that each 

employee be aware of safety procedures and 

operational policies of the WRD to ensure that (1) their 

activities avoid or minimize personal injury to the 

employee, coworkers, or anyone in the vicinity of the 

field activity, and (2) their conduct does not infringe on 

the personal or property rights of any individual or 

organization.

The purpose of the guide is to familiarize 

employees with the operational and safety procedures 

expected to be followed by each employee as a 

representative of the WRD. It is also intended as a 

training tool for all new employees and a document to 

be reviewed by each employee before undertaking a 

field assignment. It includes general procedures that 

are standard and applicable to all field operations, such 

as communication, vehicle operation, and adequate 

preparation for anticipated weather conditions. It also 

includes a discussion of specific procedures and safety 

considerations for most of the routine field assignments 

undertaken by hydrologists and hydrologic technicians 

of the WRD. The guide is not intended to be a technical 

handbook outlining step-by-step procedures for 

performing specific tasks or a comprehensive 

discussion of every possible activity that may be 

undertaken by a USGS employee. Employees are 

referred to the Techniques for Water-Resources 

Investigations (TWRI) series for specific technical 

procedures and to the U.S. Geological Survey Safety 

and Environmental Health Handbook 445-1-H (USGS, 

August 1989), USGS Occupational Hazards and Safety 

Procedures Handbook 445-2-H (December 1993), the 

WRD notebook on Safety Policy and Guidance 

Memoranda, and other references for procedures and 

safety issues related to nonroutine activities, such as 

operations on large vessels and aircraft.

YOUR ROLE AS A USGS EMPLOYEE

The Bureau and Division are mandated through 

Executive Order 12196 and Occupational Safety and 

Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR 1960, to 

establish policies, procedures, and requirements of 

managers and supervisors to provide training, a safe 

working environment, and proper equipment for 

employees to undertake field assignments with 

minimal chance of personal injury or infringement on 

the rights of others. However, once you have received 

training and have been assigned an activity, most of the 

responsibility for personal safety and that of others is 

yours. The same applies to infringing on another 

person's personal or property rights. You will be in the 

field alone, in most cases, and will have to make 

decisions based on your training, common sense, 

judgment, and experience.

Your first responsibility is to think for yourself. 

Most supervisors have previously undertaken most, if 

not all, of the activities that you will be assigned; 

however, each individual is much more aware of his or 

her own experience, skills, and limitations. Therefore, 

before you undertake an assignment, review the tasks 

required and then think about what you need to do and 

prepare yourself accordingly. If you have questions or 

concerns about your assignment and equipment, 

whether it is a policy or safety issue, be sure to request 

advice or consultation from your supervisor. For 

instance, if you feel that your equipment is inadequate 

to accomplish the assigned tasks in a safe manner, you 

have the right to request that adequate equipment be 

provided. If you are already in the field and your 

equipment becomes unsafe to operate, it may be 

appropriate to make an emergency purchase in order to 

outfit yourself properly.

Once you have prepared yourself and have begun 

your assignment, your safety is largely dependent on 

your attitude. You do not want to be approaching a task 

with the notion that you can do anything and that you 

can rely on your strength and ability to avoid personal 

injuries. Instead, think about each step that you must 

take to accomplish a task, think about the risks 

involved, and plan each step to minimize the risks. A 

"Job Hazard Analysis" would be most helpful. This 

might, for example, include taking a circuitous route to 

the field site to avoid backing into or turning across 

heavy traffic with your vehicle. Also be ready to alter 

your plan if you are confronted with a potential risk 
2 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

due to changes in situation. For example, do not go 

ahead with a wading measurement when the stage is 

too high just because you have already carried all your 

equipment to the normal wading section; instead, find a 

safe wading section or make plans for an alternative 

measurement. Remember, if you want to complete 

your assigned tasks free of personal injury, you must be 

thinking constantly about safety.

As a representative of the USGS, you also need to 

be aware of how your activities may affect the rights of 

others and the Division's relations with property 

owners, cooperators, and the general public. A flippant 

comment, inappropriate attire (for example, a tee shirt 

with a vulgar phrase), or driving a vehicle off a 

designated trail may seriously damage a good 

relationship or trust built through years of mutual 

respect between the affronted individual and your 

office. It also might jeopardize a long-term investigation 

and federal and cooperator funds that support you and 

other employees. Once again, think before you act; 

know why and how you are undertaking an activity, be 

willing to answer reasonable questions posed to you, be 

respectful, ask permission before entering private 

property, and use common sense.

Finally, you are entrusted with a considerable 

amount of equipment and specialized instruments that 

were purchased with dollars provided by yourself and 

other taxpayers. This equipment should be secured and 

properly maintained not only to minimize loss and 

damage, but also to reduce the risk of injuries to 

yourself and others. For example, if you keep a vehicle 

well maintained, it will have a longer useful life and be 

less costly to the government; however, more 

importantly, the vehicle will be much safer and 

dependable for both you and your fellow workers to 

operate. Proper use and care of hand and power tools 

will save on replacement costs, ensure that tools are 

available, and ensure that they are safe to use. 

GENERAL OPERATIONAL AND 

SAFETY PROCEDURES

This section of the guide discusses policies, 

procedures, and safety issues that are common to most 

of our field activities or assignments. It includes 

training and responsibilities of supervisors, 

maintaining adequate communication, field 

preparations, transportation, field situations, operation 

and maintenance of tools, and safety inspections.

Training for New Employees

Since many of the field activities that hydrologists 

and hydrologic technicians are asked to undertake are 

unique to our Division, it is incumbent on the Division 

to provide proper safety training for new employees 

and refresher courses for all employees. The USGS 

Handbooks, 445-1-H and 445-2-H, outline the training 

requirements for managers, supervisors, and 

employees. Training will include a combination of 

formal classroom training, reading assignments, 

discussions with the supervisor, and on-the-job 

training. The employee's immediate supervisor has the 

primary responsibility of ensuring that adequate 

training is provided.

Training begins with discussions between the 

supervisor and the employee on the mission of the 

Division, activities assigned to individual offices, and 

what is expected of the employee. The supervisor 

needs to assess the employee's capabilities and 

maturity, determine his or her previous safety record, 

determine the type of training and previous field 

experience, and discuss a specific training plan for the 

individual. The employee also will need to accurately 

state his or her previous experience and training, ask 

questions about the nature of potential assignments, 

and be confident that the instructions and training will 

be adequate for the employee to begin field activities.

The training plan for each employee will consist of 

at least the following elements:

- Orientation for the new employee by the 

supervisor, administrative officer, 

safety officer, and office manager.

- Reading assignments—Handbook for 

New Employees, (USGS, 1990), Field 

Safety Guidelines for the U.S. 

Geological Survey, Central Region 

(Tiball, 1984), excerpts from the USGS 

Safety Handbook (USGS, August 1989) 

and appropriate TWRI's.

- Formal initial training and refresher 

courses—Defensive driving, first aid 

and cardiopulmonary resuscitation 

(CPR), boating and water safety, 

and swimming, if employee is a 

nonswimmer.
General Operational and Safety Procedures 3

- Supervisory instruction and on-the-job 

training—Communication with office 

and others, vehicle operation and 

maintenance, care and use of 

instruments and specialized equipment, 

proper care and use of hand and power 

tools, hazardous situations in the field, 

safety inspections, and specific 

technical procedures to be followed.

- Level I training on ground-water, 

surface-water, and water-quality 

principles.

Depending on the nature and location of 

assignments, other special training may be appropriate 

including wilderness survival, advanced boating, 

navigation, scuba diving, techniques for off-road/

back-road driving, driving in adverse weather, and 

aircraft operation.

Communication

Communication, as defined in the American 

Heritage Dictionary (William, Morris, ed., 1976), is the 

exchange of thoughts, messages, or the like, as by 

speech, signals, or writing. Thus, if we are to 

accomplish our mission and do it efficiently without 

any personal injury or property damage, we must 

exchange our thoughts and ideas with each other. 

Communication is a two-way street: it includes 

instructions and questions and answers if clarification 

is needed, it includes letting people know where you 

are going and why and checking to make sure of safe 

returns, and it includes contacting others to explain our 

plans and receive permission to enter on or use the 

property of others.

Making assignments and conveying instructions for 

accomplishing assigned tasks is the responsibility of 

the supervisor; making sure the assignments and 

instructions are understood is the responsibility of both 

the supervisor and the employee and this constitutes an 

effective two-way communication. In addition to 

specific instructions, the supervisor needs to explain 

the purpose of the assignment and how it relates to our 

overall mission. The employee will be in a better 

position to accomplish the tasks if he or she 

understands the importance of the assignment and its 

relation to the other work that we do; the employee will 

be able to think about the assignments, make plans, and 

make adjustments to get the job done. On the other 

hand, the employee needs to be thinking why and how. 

Why is this task important and how am I going to get it 

done? If the employee doesn't know, he or she needs to 

ask questions and gets answers from the supervisor. 

Supervisors prefer spending extra time repeating 

instructions and answering questions rather than 

having an employee return from the field without 

completing the assigned task.

Communication also is critical (second only to 

thinking) for safety. Employees must be made aware of 

potential risks, how to avoid them, and how to get help 

if an accident does occur. Supervisors need to know 

where employees are going and when they will return 

to provide information to searchers and rescuers in case 

the employees do not return from an assignment. 

Special communication equipment, such as two-way 

radios or cellular telephones, are necessary if 

assignments are in remote locations. Remember to 

think, communicate, and consider the following 

procedures to ensure your safety:

- Prepare an itinerary and discuss it with 

your supervisor, including a list of field 

sites, a route-of-travel log, motel 

reservations, and a schedule for "check 

in" telephone calls to your home or 

office.

- If going to a remote area, use mobile or 

portable radios or a cellular telephone if 

coverage is adequate. Always have fully 

charged batteries and an extra set of 

batteries.

- Before entering a remote area, confirm 

that your communication equipment is 

operating properly.

- Whether using telephones or radios, 

keep to your prearranged check in 

schedule and provide update 

information or adjustments to your 

itinerary.

Another important aspect of communication is 

conveying plans for hydrologic data-collection 

activities to cooperators and landowners. Almost all 

field activities are conducted on land or water that is in 

private ownership or under the jurisdiction of local, 

state, or federal agencies. Before starting an 

assignment, contact the appropriate individuals, 
4 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

discuss plans, and receive permission. Give them a 

schedule of planned activities and keep them posted on 

progress. Time spent talking with a public official or 

landowner may help avoid problems or gain their 

cooperation for activities in the future. We can do our 

job only if we have access to collect the needed data.

Preparing for the Field

Adequate preparations before beginning a field 

assignment will help ensure that you complete 

assignments, avoid accidents, and return safely. 

Prepare yourself, plan specific activities and tasks, and 

check both your personal protection gear and tools and 

instruments needed for the job.

In preparing yourself, consider the following 

elements:

- Many of the tasks assigned to USGS 

employees require strenuous exercise, 

sometimes under adverse weather 

conditions. It is recommended that each 

employee maintain physical fitness 

through a regular program.

- Learn how to swim, or be prepared to 

wear a personal floatation device (PFD) 

if near water.

- Maintain a schedule of physical 

examinations, as appropriate for your 

age, with your personal physician or a 

health clinic. Periodic examinations are 

available through the U.S. Public Health 

Service.

- Seek medical advice if you have a 

limiting medical condition; have an 

adequate supply of medication on hand 

for field trips.

- If you have severe allergic reactions to 

insect bites or stings, carry appropriate 

serum and instruct colleagues on 

administering it in case you are 

incapacitated.

- Learn modern first aid procedures and 

CPR.

- Learn wilderness survival techniques if 

you will be working in remote areas.

- Learn to drive off-road 4-wheel-drive 

vehicles.

- Learn about hazards associated with 

confined space.

- Recognize hazards associated with field 

installations.

Adequate planning for field assignments includes:

- Discussing the assignment thoroughly 

with your supervisor to ensure that you 

understand what is expected, why it 

needs to be done, and how it should be 

accomplished.

- Know where the nearest emergency 

medical facilities are located; make 

plans on how to contact these facilities 

if you are alone and severely injured 

(cellular phone).

- Reviewing maps, property descriptions, 

and notes made by yourself and others 

on previous visits to ensure that you are 

aware of site conditions and potential 

hazards that may exist.

- Reviewing technical manuals, 

memoranda, previous field inspection 

notes, and safety procedures.

- Preparing a schedule for completing 

individual tasks and making a list of 

required instruments, tools, and 

supplies.

- Contacting landowners and public 

officials to inform them of your plans 

and receive permission for access.

- Having your plans and schedule 

reviewed by your supervisor or another 

individual with substantial field 

experience.

- Checking weather forecasts.

Appropriate personal gear may include:

- Adequate clothing for weather 

conditions.
General Operational and Safety Procedures 5

- Proper foot gear that you will need for 

field work, including hiking boots, 

steel-toed safety shoes, hip boots, and 

waders. Too many people wear shoes 

with no heels to climb ladders and 

descend steep slippery slopes.

- Hats appropriate for weather conditions; 

a light-weight hat with a visor for warm, 

sunny conditions and a wool stocking 

cap for cold weather. A hard hat is 

recommended while working on 

bridges, inside gaging stations, and 

during all construction activities.

- Safety goggles, work gloves, dusk 

masks or respirators, and earplugs.

- A PFD is required when working on 

bridges, boats, cableways, or while 

wading streams.

- An orange fluorescent vest is required 

while working on bridges or surveying 

on or adjacent to highways.

- Avoid field work during hunting season 

or in intensively hunted areas. If work is 

required, always wear hunter orange 

clothing. Know when hunting season is 

scheduled and where it is permitted.

A list of required tools, instruments, and supplies 

should be made when planning your trip, and these 

items should be checked to ensure they are in good 

operating condition before you start your trip. Bring 

along a first aid kit, flashlight, compass, PFD, matches, 

cellular phone, insect repellant, suntan lotion, drinking 

water, machete, and a triangular-shaped reflector 

device.

Transportation

The common means of transportation for 

hydrologists and hydrologic technicians involved in 

field activities are passenger cars, vans, light trucks, 

and small boats. The operation and maintenance of 

these vehicles will be discussed in this section. 

Individuals using aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, 

snowmobiles, and horses are referred to references in 

the back of this guide for guidance and instruction. 

Specialized training is recommended before using any 

of the atypical means of transportation.

Accidents involving cars and light trucks account 

for most of the serious injuries among field personnel. 

Therefore, it is incumbent on the managers and 

supervisors to provide training for safe vehicle 

operation and to ensure that operating and maintenance 

procedures are adhered to. Instructions on appropriate 

use and care of vehicles, and a defensive driving course 

should be scheduled for each employee as soon as they 

enter on duty. It is USGS policy to report personal 

injuries and property damage promptly and accurately. 

Any work-related accident must be reported to your 

supervisor within 3 workdays that results in damage to 

Government-owned or leased property of greater than 

$50 and/or personal injury.

The first step in safe vehicle operation is an 

inspection of a vehicle before beginning a trip. This 

inspection will include:

- Checking for adequate fuel supply, 

engine oil, and coolant.

- Testing of headlights, tail lights, and 

turn signals.

- Checking all belts and hoses.

- Checking windshield washers and 

wipers.

- Testing brakes and checking tires

- Checking to be sure that all equipment 

is properly stored and secured. Any 

piece of equipment or tool could 

become a flying projectile during a 

sudden stop or accident.

- Checking and adjusting rear-view 

mirrors.

- Ensuring vehicle is equipped with 

adequate safety and emergency 

equipment.

Another step required for a safe trip in your vehicle 

is a preplanned schedule and route to save time and 

avoid known road hazards. Plan your trip to allow for a 

mix of driving and rest or other activity. For long trips, 

plan on rotating drivers. Also, plan your route to avoid 

potentially dangerous situations, such as having to 
6 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

back out onto a busy highway or traversing a flooded 

section of highway. A few guidelines for highway and 

back road travel follow.

- Wear safe seat belts.

- Always drive defensively.

- Obey the speed limit and traffic signs.

- Be aware that road surfaces are very 

slippery after a brief rain and heavy 

rains may cause excessive accumulation 

of water on the road surface and 

hydroplaning of the vehicle. Adjust your 

speed accordingly.

- Do not ford a stream or flooded road 

section without first checking for deep 

holes or washouts.

- Test brakes after fording a stream or any 

deep water; they probably will be wet 

and not as responsive as normal.

- Be aware of weather conditions. A dry 

road or track going into a field site may 

become wet and impassable coming out 

after changes in weather conditions.

- Be especially cautious on logging and 

mining roads. Logging trucks have the 

right-of-way on a logging road. Expect 

loaded logging, ore, and coal trucks to 

take up the inside of curves even when 

traveling on an outside lane.

- Be especially aware of wild animals and 

open-range livestock while driving at 

night when animals tend to be on the 

move and transfixed by headlights.

- Avoid traveling during snow and ice 

storms. If you must travel, maintain a 

safe speed and test for traction 

frequently. Learn how to drive safely 

and handle your vehicle in severe 

weather conditions. Use proper 

equipment (i.e. snow tires and chains).

- Drive only on existing, well-established 

back roads or trails. Avoid driving on 

agricultural fields, open pasture, fragile 

desert, alpine, or other unsafe areas.

- Always attempt to park your vehicle 

completely off the road surface and 

shoulder. If this is not possible, use 

orange pylons, traffic cones, reflectors, 

emergency flashers, etc., to warn 

approaching motorists.

In the Field

Whether you are on a one-day trip to measure 

observation wells or an extended trip to run indirect 

measurements of flood discharges, you will be 

subjected to many natural and manmade dangers. 

These include varying weather conditions, rough 

terrain, animals, and manmade structures such as flood 

control and drainage structures, overhead power lines, 

cableways, stream gage houses and stilling wells. 

Many of the structural dangers related to our work will 

be discussed later in this report in the sections dealing 

with specific field procedures and related safety issues. 

The natural dangers likely to be encountered in the 

field are discussed thoroughly in the report, "FieldSafety Guidelines for the U.S. Geological Survey, 

Central Region," (Tiball, 1984). The most common 

risks faced by hydrologists and hydrologic technicians 

of the WRD are summarized below.

Weather

Normal comfort temperature range for man is 

between 60 and 90 ̊F. Beyond these limits various 

precautions become necessary, depending on tolerance 

and adaptation to extremes. Most cases of 

hypothermia (condition of reduced body temperature 

that results in rapid mental and physical collapse) 

develop in air temperatures between 30 and 50 ̊F. 

Hypothermia is aggravated by wet clothes, wind, 

hunger, and exhaustion. The best way to avoid 

hypothermia is to take more clothes than will be 

needed and to dress appropriately with layers of 

clothing and adequate headgear. Layers of clothing can 

be removed or added as the temperature changes. 

Prepare yourself for working in cold environments by:

- Acclimating yourself to conditions by 

scheduling moderate exercise outdoors 

with frequent breaks in sheltered areas.

- Carrying a sleeping bag, blanket, and a 

small stock of food in the field vehicle.
General Operational and Safety Procedures 7

- Carrying replacement clothing, 

particularly for items that may become 

wet.

- Carrying good rain gear and using it 

before clothes get wet.

- Being aware of the conditions that lead 

to hypothermia.

- Leaving a detailed travel plan before 

venturing into remote or untraveled 

territory.

- Keeping informed of local weather 

conditions. Don’t get caught in severe 

weather.

- Learning and practicing cold weather 

survival techniques.

The opposite physiological condition is 

hyperthermia, in which heat in excessive amounts can 

create a life threatening situation. Temperature, 

humidity, and physical exertion all contribute to this 

condition, but body hydration is the most important 

factor. Prepare yourself for working in hot 

environments by:

- Wearing light-weight, light-colored 

clothing.

- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat.

- Acclimating yourself to conditions by 

scheduling moderate exercise in the 

direct sunlight with frequent breaks in a 

shaded area.

- Drinking a moderate amount of water 

on a regular schedule. Normal water 

requirements in temperate regions is 

about 2-1

/2 quarts per day; desert 

conditions will require more.

- Scheduling the most physically 

demanding activities in the early 

morning and late evening to avoid the 

heat of midday.

- Being aware of the warning symptoms 

that lead to heat exhaustion, heat cramp 

and heat stroke induced by heat.

Sun exposure can cause first and second-degree 

burns, and you should be aware of your susceptibility 

to burning. It is recommended that you wear protective 

clothing and cover exposed skin with sunscreen. 

Remember that the intensity of radiation is greater at 

high elevations and exposure is increased where light is 

both direct and reflected from light surfaces, such as 

snow and sandy areas.

Thunderstorms are a serious danger while 

working in the field. Lightning is the storm's worst 

killer, but the intense rains, hailstorms, and wind 

associated with these storms can create dangerous 

conditions. Frequent monitoring of weather reports is 

important for scheduling your activities to avoid 

extreme weather conditions. While working in the 

field, keep an eye on the weather and notice whether 

towering cumulus clouds that mark the location of 

thunderstorms are approaching your work area. The 

safest place to be during a thunderstorm is in the field 

vehicle with doors and windows closed. General 

guidelines for avoiding dangerous conditions during 

thunderstorms are:

- Stop making wading, bridge, or 

cableway measurements and seek 

shelter in a structure or your vehicle.

- Do not use the telephone or work on 

electrical lines or steel structures, such 

as bridges or cableways, because a 

lightning strike some distance away 

could affect you.

- If you are on a ridge or peak, get down 

to a lower elevation, preferably a level 

bench.

- Avoid isolated trees; seek shelter in 

dense stands or clumps of young trees.

- Sit on your feet in a crouched position 

or sit on some insulating material, such 

as wood, rubberized material, or a wool 

shirt.

- Be aware of flash floods, avoid stream 

crossings, and move vehicle and 

equipment to higher ground.

- Seek shelter from high winds and 

tornadoes; avoid high trees and find a 

sheltered draw. If you feel a sudden 

violent wind or sight a funnel-shaped 

cloud, seek shelter immediately by 

lying flat in a depression, ditch, or 

culvert.
8 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

Additional information on thunderstorms and 

lightning can be found in National Weather Service 

NOAA/PA 83001 (June 1985).

Terrain

Working in and around streams and rivers will 

subject you to many conditions in which the local 

terrain may cause slips and falls that could result in 

serious injury to you and your coworkers. You can't 

avoid all potential dangers, but you can minimize the 

risk of accidents by considering the following 

guidelines.

- Wear shoes or boots that provide good 

arch and ankle support instead of 

low-cut sneakers.

- Inspect the area before beginning work 

and locate gopher, muskrat, or other 

holes; isolated rocks and boulders; 

fallen logs; loose and slippery rocks; 

and other obstacles.

- Select a level work area and remove 

debris that could cause you to trip and 

fall. It may be necessary to cut tall 

vegetation to be sure the site is free of 

obstacles. Carry a machete in a sheath 

to cut vegetation instead of plowing 

through dense vegetation or taking 

another route over treacherous terrain to 

avoid dense vegetation.

- If you must travel some distance from 

your vehicle, avoid taking shortcuts 

across treacherous terrain; consider the 

time lost by an accident than by going 

the longer and safer way around.

- Avoid steep slopes with loose rocks and 

boulders that could come loose and 

tumble down the slope.

- Select sites for wading discharge 

measurements very carefully; keep in 

mind both the hydraulic characteristics 

required and safe conditions for 

accessing and wading the stream.

- Traverse streams carefully and use a 

wading rod or stout stick to probe the 

bottom in advance. If you find deep 

holes or a highly irregular bottom, look 

for another section.

- Be careful while walking on rocks and 

boulders in streams; they are usually 

very slippery. Consider wearing some 

type of sole gripper to give you 

additional traction.

- Wear a PFD when working in and 

around streams, rivers, and lakes.

Animals

There are numerous animals that may represent a 

risk. Snakes and insects are probably the most common 

nuisances that you will face, but other reptiles and 

domestic and wild animals can cause serious injury, 

illnesses, and fatalities.

There are four snakes in the United States that are 

poisonous and should be avoided: rattlesnakes, 

cottonmouth, copperhead, and coral snakes. There are 

numerous species of rattlesnakes throughout the U.S. 

Cottonmouths and coral snakes generally range from 

the Carolinas through Florida, westward to Texas, and 

up the Mississippi Valley. Copperheads are found in 

much of the eastern U.S. and parts of Missouri, 

Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. The most effective 

defense against snakes is to avoid being bitten. The 

following precautions should be taken to minimize the 

risk of snakes while working in the field:

- Familiarize yourself with the 

description and habits of all poisonous 

snakes indigenous to the work area.

- Wear protective clothing, including 

boots and knee-high or full-length 

leggings in prime snake terrain.

- Be observant and look before you step 

or reach for something.

- Use existing trails and use a walking 

stick to clear vegetation ahead of you. 

Don't step over logs without looking on 

the other side first.

- Don't climb among rocks where you 

have to reach above your level of sight 

for a handhold.
General Operational and Safety Procedures 9

- Don't pick up rocks or other objects that 

might conceal a snake. Turn the object 

toward you with a stick or shovel. This 

could shield you from being bitten.

Insects generally are a nuisance while working in 

the field, but they can be dangerous depending on the 

type of insect and your reaction to their sting or bite. 

Stinging insects, which include honey bees, killer bees, 

wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and ants, are painful 

and can be dangerous to individuals that are allergic to 

the venom. The yellow jacket and hornet are the most 

dangerous because they are aggressive and can inflict 

multiple stings. You may be allergic to venom or you 

may develop an allergy with each new attack. 

Reactions can range from fever, light-headedness, 

hives, and painful swelling to a sudden drop in blood 

pressure and breathing difficulties. Biting insects, such 

as mosquitoes, chiggers, ticks, and various flies, are 

generally of less immediate hazard than stinging 

insects, but they may be carriers of disease. Ticks are 

the major carrier of disease in the U.S., transmitting 

Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Colorado tick fever, 

tularaemia, and relapsing fever or tick paralysis, and 

Deer ticks-Lyme disease.

Members of the spider family are another concern 

in both the field and office in certain parts of the 

country. Those of most concern are the black widow 

and brown recluse spiders and the scorpion. The 

spiders range widely in the temperate region and tend 

to seek dark hiding places. Scorpions range from the 

Gulf States to California and north into the dry areas of 

the west. Scorpions tend to seek shelter under bark, 

litter, sand, or rocks and may crawl into shoes, gloves, 

etc.

Keep in mind that there is just as much danger of 

falling off ladders and cableway platforms from trying 

to avoid bee stings as from the actual sting.

Common precautions against members of the 

spider family and insect bites and stings are:

- Wear clothing that makes access to the 

skin difficult.

- Avoid tramping through heavy 

vegetation if another choice is available.

- Be observant of wasp nests, hornet 

hives, and ant hills.

- Use insect repellants on exposed skin 

and at openings in your clothing. 

Spraying pants cuffs and socks is a good 

preventative for chigger bites.

- In the case of ticks, inspect clothing and 

exposed skin periodically during the 

day, and disrobe completely and inspect 

your skin at the end of the day.

- Obtain immunization in advance if you 

are allergic to stings or will be working 

in an area with infestations of disease 

carrying insects.

- Carry appropriate medication for 

allergic reactions and inform your 

coworkers about how to administer it.

- Watch out for characteristic dense webs 

of spiders.

- Avoid reaching into dark places where 

you can't see and be careful picking up 

rocks and clothing that have been lying 

on the ground.

Other animals may be a dangerous depending on 

whether you surprise them or represent a threat to their 

young, food, or territory. Most wild animals will be 

frightened away at sight, but the more domestic they 

are and the more familiar they are with humans, the 

less likely they will run from you. Because of this, dogs 

probably represent the greatest threat while in the field. 

Significant animal threats also come from bears, 

moose, bulls some domestic livestock. These animals 

may actually chase people, so don’t challenge them. 

Expect animals to defend their territory. Refer to the 

discussion of bear behavior by Brew and others (1978). 

Numerous smaller mammals are likely to be afraid of 

humans, but don’t count on it. For instance, beware of 

porcupines and skunks that cease to flee and raise their 

tails vertically. They fight with their tails and the field 

person may become a target for flying quills or noxious 

excretions. The following guidelines are recommended 

to avoid animal attacks while in the field.

- Avoid surprising animals by making 

noise while traversing a trail or open 

country.

- Choose open terrain with good 

visibility.
10 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

- Make a wide detour around any animals 

with young, or over a fresh kill.

- Avoid walking in pastures or fields with 

domestic bulls.

- Avoid any animals acting abnormally. 

Many smaller mammals, including the 

coyote, fox, badger, raccoon, skunk, and 

squirrel may bite and transmit rabies.

- Carry a walking stick to fend off attacks 

from domestic dogs.

- Watch out for rodent nests. New rodent 

nests must be noted for future removal.

Poisonous Plants

The most common problem with poisonous plants 

is the allergic reaction that individuals have to the sap 

of poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac. The 

sticky sap of each plant can cause an allergic skin 

reaction of varying intensity depending on the amount 

of contact and the degree of susceptibility of the 

individual. The sap can be transferred directly by 

brushing against or handling the plants and indirectly 

from tools or clothing and from smoke of burning 

plants.

Avoid allergic reactions to poisonous plants by:

- Learning to identify poisonous plants 

and avoiding contact.

- Wear gloves and protective clothing 

when contacting plants cannot be 

avoided.

- Remove contaminated clothing as soon 

as possible and wash immediately to 

avoid contact by other individuals.

- Wash affected skin with abundant soap 

and water.

Some plants are poisonous to eat, and it is 

advisable not to eat any wild plants unless you have 

knowledge of safe plants and plant parts.

Equipment

Each hydrologist and hydrologic technician usually 

is equipped with and expected to handle a wide variety 

of tools and instruments. This equipment represents a 

potential risk to the user if it is improperly maintained 

and mishandled. It also represents a considerable 

investment to the government and each employee is 

entrusted with maintenance security, and proper use.

A fully-equipped field vehicle will include a tool 

box with screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, hammers, and 

other small tools. Other standard items in a vehicle 

may be axes, saws, digging bars, shovels, and tools for 

making minor repairs to field installations. None of 

these tools are dangerous if they are used properly, but 

they need to be used with care and only for their 

intended purpose.

- Keep tools in a tool box and stow the 

tool box and larger hand tools securely 

in your vehicle.

- Keep all tools clean and free of excess 

oil and grease. A greasy handle could 

cause a tool to slip out of your hand and 

cause injury.

- Use a tool belt to carry small, sharp 

tools instead of your pocket.

- Wear goggles or safety glasses when 

using hammers, axes, and saws.

- Keep all cutting tools sharp. This will 

make the job easier and safer.

- Store and carry cutting tools with 

sheaths covering the sharp edges.

- When using a cutting tool such as an 

axe, make sure that you have a clear 

area to swing both above and behind. 

Do not swing in a direct path toward 

someone else.

- Replace any splintered handles of 

hammers, axes, etc.

- Count your tools before starting work 

and check to be sure all tools have been 

returned to the vehicle and secured 

before leaving a work site.

Power tools are a great convenience and can 

increase our efficiency dramatically, but they probably 

represent one of the greatest risks for severe injuries. 

Be careful with power equipment, and this is true 

particularly while working at remote field sites because 

of the lack of medical facilities. A deep cut caused by a 
General Operational and Safety Procedures 11

power saw that may result in a temporary disability 

from an accident at home, could result in a death at a 

remote location.

- Keep all power saws, generators, 

pumps, and other gas-engine equipment 

clean and properly lubricated. Always 

check the lubricant level before starting 

a gas engine.

- Fill the fuel tank before starting engine, 

using a funnel or a gas can with a built 

in funnel. Wipe excess gas off the 

engine housing before starting. When 

refueling, allow the engine to cool first.

- Consider using an air compressor and 

air-driven tools when working at a 

gaging station to avoid electrical shock.

- Use generators with ground-fault circuit 

interrupters (GFCI) when working in 

the field, particularly at streamside or 

other wet sites.

- Inspect all extension cords and the cords 

of individual tools to be sure the 

insulation is intact.

- Always keep the ground continuous. Do 

not remove ground lug from power tool 

plug. Never use the ground side for 

switching.

- Never use a chain saw or circular saw 

without reading the instructions or 

receiving instructions from an 

experienced user. These are probably 

the two most dangerous pieces of 

equipment that you will use during 

routine field activities.

- Keep chains and blades of saws sharp, 

and replace when frequent sharpening is 

required.

- Carry a chain saw suspended at your 

side with the sheathed guide bar 

pointing to the rear.

- Start a chain saw by setting saw on a 

clear, level spot on the ground. Do not 

carry a chain saw with the engine 

running.

- Wear personal protective equipment, 

especially goggles, gloves, hearing 

protection, and safety shoes when 

operating any power equipment.

- At the end of each work day, close gas 

valve on all gas-powered tools to burn 

the gas out of the carburettor. This will 

prevent a build-up of gum in the 

carburettor and minimize the 

possibility of a gas leak in the vehicle. 

It also will insure easier starting after 

storage.

- Stow all power tools securely in your 

vehicle and return them to their 

assigned storage place upon returning 

from the field after emptying fuel.

- Do not transport gas-powered tools, 

with gas left in the fuel tank in a vehicle 

that does not have a separate 

compartment from driver and 

passengers.

A wide variety of instruments in our assigned field 

tasks ranging from small hand-held levels to 

sophisticated electromagnetic data loggers and data 

storage devices are used by WRD field personnel. 

While the use of these instruments usually do not 

represent a risk, they are expensive and irreplaceable is 

some cases, and they should be secured and protected 

from damage or theft. Instruments and other sensitive 

equipment should be stored and transported in 

protective cases to avoid damage. Levels, pH meters, 

and other instruments should not be routinely stored in 

vehicles—they should be stored in an assigned and 

locked storage area in the office or warehouse. Storage 

of instruments in cabinets in vehicles provides 

additional protection from being damaged and also 

keeps them out of sight of would-be thieves. Locking 

your vehicle at all times will provide security for the 

valuable equipment assigned to you. 

Maintenance and Storage

One of the activities that is least adhered to because 

of other pressing tasks is the proper maintenance and 

storage of equipment and instruments. Many times 

personnel are rushed when returning from a field trip 

and do not take time to clean, service, and return 

equipment to the appropriate storage area. Often, work 
12 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

is postponed until the next day, but many times it never 

gets done, and then it may become someone else's 

problem. This can lead to hard feelings between coworkers, safety risks, and inefficiency. Some actions 

that may eliminate some of these problems are: 

- Prepare an itinerary that includes time 

for cleaning and resupplying vehicle 

and cleaning and servicing equipment 

after the field trip.

- Schedule time during the trip to clean 

and service equipment after use each 

day.

- Note any equipment problems on field 

notes or personal diary as a reminder to 

get the equipment repaired upon return 

from the field.

- Inform supervisor or the person 

responsible for field equipment of the 

problems or personally insure that the 

equipment is repaired. At the very least, 

attach a note to the equipment 

indicating the problems encountered 

while using the equipment.

- Maintain a log for each piece of 

equipment which includes instructions 

and a schedule for servicing.

- Provide an assigned storage place for 

each piece of heavy equipment, such as 

centrifugal pumps, generators, and air 

compressors, and sensitive instruments. 

Return this equipment to storage area 

rather than leaving it in vehicles, 

loading dock, hallways, or office space.

Safety Inspections

The inspection of all operations, equipment and 

facilities is a continuous part of each employee's 

responsibility. The identification of hazards require the 

routine review of facilities, equipment, and operations 

by every employee as part of the daily work routine. To 

maintain a safe work environment, a formal safety 

inspection of all facilities, equipment, and operations 

must be made each year to identify potential hazardous 

or substandard conditions. The inspections must be 

made by qualified personnel who are knowledgeable of 

the appropriate safety standards and procedures. Any 

condition identified as not meeting established 

standards or creating a risk to the safety or health of the 

employee, or other employees, or to the public must be 

reported and brought to the attention of the responsible 

supervisor for corrective action.

Annual safety inspections are required of all areas 

of every building occupied by USGS employees. High 

hazard areas such as machine shops and laboratories 

with chemicals should be inspected semi-annually or 

more frequently. Areas and items requiring at least 

once a year inspections include: office and building 

areas, storerooms and warehouses, streamgaging 

stations, cableways, and vehicles.

A detailed discussion on safety inspection 

procedures and suggested check-list for areas and 

items 

can be found in U.S. Geological Survey Handbook 

445-1-H (USGS, August 1989). 

SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND

SAFETY ISSUES

This section of the guide discusses specific 

procedures and safety considerations for most of the 

routine field assignments undertaken by hydrologists 

and hydrologic technicians of the Division. It includes 

discussions on safety guidelines that need to be 

observed when undertaking surface-water, groundwater, and water-quality activities.

Surface-Water Activities

Procedures and guidelines to avoid personal injury 

during wading measurements, bridge measurements, 

cableway measurements, boat measurements, 

measurements under ice cover, indirect flood 

discharge, maintenance of streamgages, and scuba 

diving are discussed in this section.

Wading Measurement

Discharge measurements using current meters are 

best made by wading. Wading measurements have a 

distinct advantage over measurements made from 

bridges, boats, or cableways in that it is usually 

possible to select the best available cross sections for 

the measurement. However, wading measurements 

represent one of the greatest potential sources of 
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 13

accidents in the Division. The wide range of 

conditions, combined with the relatively large number 

of measurements made by wading, creates the high 

potential for accidents. Constant awareness of wading 

dangers and weather conditions needs to be maintained 

to avoid accidents and potential injury. Listed below 

are some safety guidelines that need to be observed:

- Review the field folder to determine the 

best section for making wading 

measurements. Also determine if any 

potential risks are noted and the 

maximum velocity and depths that may 

be encountered.

- Determine whether the river stage is 

rising or falling. Beware of rapid rises in 

river stage when wading and anticipate 

and allow for changes in flow conditions 

at the end of the measurement. It is a 

good idea to select an object (rock, 

stump, mark along bank, etc.) that is 

just above water surface and keep 

watching it to determine if the river 

stage is rising or falling. 

- Always probe the stream bed ahead 

with a rod when moving from bank to 

bank. Keep your feet spread apart and 

alignment of legs parallel to the flow for 

better stability.

- If the velocity becomes too great for 

safe wading do not turn around, because 

when the greater area of the front or 

back of the body is exposed to the 

current, you may be swept downstream. 

Back out carefully, bracing yourself 

with the wading rod.

- Don't try to break the station discharge 

record for the maximum wading 

measurement.

- Wear a PFD when wading and 

conducting discharge measurements. 

Tie the tagline securely so that you may 

pull yourself out, if necessary.

- Don't wear boots or waders that are too 

tight or too loose.

- Beware of sand channels where potholes, quicksand, and scour can be 

hazardous.

- Beware of slick, steep banks, and 

swampy areas.

- Watch for debris and ice drifting.

- Beware of streams with partial or thin 

ice cover and especially of ice-covered 

streams at the time of incipient breakup. 

To venture out on such ice, tie yourself 

to some stable object ashore or 

overhead, if available. Otherwise, stay 

off and return on another day.

- At controlled or regulated streams, 

consult recorder or instruction for 

pattern of regulation. Contact dam, 

reservoir or gate operators before 

entering stream.

Bridge Measurements

Bridges are often used for making discharge 

measurements of streams that cannot be waded. 

Equipment needed in making bridge measurements 

differs from that used in wading measurements in that a 

portable metal crane is often used to mount a reel and 

suspend the meter, sounding weights, and cable over 

the bridge. Power equipment, which may be mounted 

on vehicles, is used for large rivers. Some bridges are 

not adaptable for cranes, and bridge boards must be 

used. On some foot bridges a special rod or handline is 

used.

Bridges are inherently dangerous because of 

vehicular traffic. The following safety procedures are 

recommended when making discharge measurements 

from a bridge:

- Review field folders to determine any 

hazards that are noted and maximum 

depths and velocities that have been 

observed.

- Know how to use the equipment. Make 

a dry run with new equipment or 

unfamiliar equipment at the office with 

someone who knows how it operates.

- Check the operation of the equipment 

before leaving the office to make sure 

that cranes, meters, reels, and motors 
14 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

are in good operating condition. 

Perform a visual inspection of batteries 

used with power cranes. Replace if 

unusual wear or cracks in the casing are 

observed.

- Follow the procedures outlined in the 

Traffic Control Plan (TCP) for each 

bridge site for placing traffic control 

devices, and keep a copy in the field 

folder. The plan must meet Federal 

standards as a minimum, or State or 

local standards, whichever prevails.

- Park the vehicle on the shoulder and use 

colored, revolving beams and 

emergency flashers on vehicle to warn 

oncoming traffic, as stated in the TCP.

- Set "caution" signs and plastic cones 

around work area and assign a person, 

when necessary, to watch for traffic and 

debris in the river and shout warnings as 

appropriate.

- Wear an orange-colored PFD and work 

gloves.

- Using a reel and crane, either hand 

operated or power, can be dangerous 

because of the possibility of getting 

fingers caught under the cable or having 

the cable break and fly wildly. If at any 

time you lose your grip on the hand 

crank, make no attempt to grab the 

handle. Let it go! The flying handle can 

severely bruise an arm or even break a 

bone.

- When measuring at night, use adequate 

lights, especially if drift is running.

- Keep a sharp look-out for drift when 

measuring. Have a pair of heavy duty 

wire cutters handy to cut loose if drift is 

snagged.

- Work from upstream side of the bridges 

if at all possible, so that debris can be 

spotted moving downstream.

- Provide some device to alert boat 

operators that a cable is in the water.

- When working from a bridge that has 

hazardous power lines, provide a 

permanent warning sign on some part of 

the bridge directly above or below the 

hazard to alert the field person of the 

danger.

Cableway Measurements

Cableways have been used for many decades by the 

Division in making discharge measurements. 

Cableways provide a track for the operation of a cable 

car from which the hydrographer makes a currentmeter measurement. Cable cars also support the 

sounding reel and other necessary equipment. Cable 

cars are moved from one point to another on the 

cableway by means of cable-car pullers. Poweroperated cable cars are available for extremely long 

spans.

Properly constructed and maintained cableways 

and properly operated cable cars are dependable and 

convenient. The following safety procedures are 

recommended to be followed when making cableway 

measurements:

- Review and adherence to the new 

manual "Streamgaging Cableways" 

(USGS Open-File Report 91-84 (1991) 

and WRD Memo No 9142 ("Plan for 

Insuring the Safety of Cableways") for 

information on construction, inspection, 

and maintenance of cableways.

- Review field folder and note any special 

conditions or procedures to be used at 

the site.

- Before starting to assemble measuring 

equipment in the cable car undertake a 

close inspection of A frames, all cables, 

cable connectors, and all bolts at both

banks, if possible. It is especially 

important that all cable cars be equipped 

with the necessary safety equipment, 

such as car pullers, and braking system, 

and that towers or A-frames supporting 

the cable should be provided with 

suitable means of access to the cable 

such as ladders, climbing bolts, and 

landing platforms.
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 15

- Inspect all areas of the cable car for 

weak or missing parts, also check 

operation and condition of the braking 

system.

- After completing cableway inspection, 

proceed with setting up necessary 

measuring equipment in the cable car. 

When carrying sounding reel and 

weight, use proper lifting techniques. 

Caution must be taken in climbing Aframes and towers and getting into the 

cable car to avoid falling.

- Avoid personnel working under 

cableway platform when assembling 

measuring equipment in cable car.

- The cable car, when not in use, must be 

locked to the cable support by a bar 

hook. Then the car can be unlocked 

from the platform without danger of its 

getting loose. Once the field person is 

aboard, the car can be easily released 

without danger.

- A cable-car puller must fit the cable 

which is positive in its action and grip 

and which will release the cable readily 

and without undue effort.

- Before departing the bank where cable 

car is parked, inspect and take inventory 

of safety and operational equipment and 

inspect car for insect nests and cable for 

fishing lures. 

- Wear PFD, hard hat, and work gloves. 

Carry extra cable-car puller, heavy duty 

cutting pliers for emergency cutting, 

sounding reel, insect repellent, and 

necessary tools for repairing measuring 

equipment.

- Keep your hands off the cable when the 

car is moving to prevent possible injury.

- If the river is used by boats, some 

warning device must be used to alert the 

boat operators that there is a cable in the 

water ahead.

Boat Measurements

Measurements made from boats require special 

equipment not used for other types of measurements. 

Generally, a cross-piece reaching across the boat is 

clamped to the sides of the boat and a boom attached to 

the center of the cross-piece extends out over the bow. 

The cross-piece is equipped with a guide sheave and 

clamp arrangement at each end, to attach the boat to the 

tag line and make it possible to slide the boat along the 

tag line from one station to the next. Power-operated 

equipment, which may be mounded on boats, is used 

for large rivers. The following safety procedures are 

necessary to prevent accidents or damage to 

equipment:

- Review field folders to determine 

potential risks and maximum depths and 

velocities.

- Select the proper boat and motor for the 

particular job and maintain them in 

good, workable condition.

- Follow all safety precautions during 

trailering, towing, and launching boat.

- After arriving at boat measuring site, 

locate launching area for the boat. 

Check this area for snakes and clear any 

brush.

- Unload boat from top of truck or trailer. 

Remember to use proper lifting 

techniques.

- At least two people on board and one on 

bank

- Boat trailer must have lights rather than 

reflector

- Operators of boats must be trained in 

CPR and have completed an approved 

boating skills and seamanship course.

- Assemble all equipment associated with 

the boat measurement. Carry spare 

paddles, horn, cutting pliers, bailing 

devices, PFD’s, and water jug.

- Stretch a tagline (with white or red 

flagging attached) across the river and 

secure it to a tree or stake with a cable 

grip. Wear a PFD, work gloves, and be 

observant for boat traffic. Provide an 
16 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

advanced warning to the boaters such as 

a compressed air horn, buoys, or 

flashing lights. Warning devices should 

be positioned 1

/4 mi upstream and 

downstream of tagline. Remember, the 

only practical way to avoid tagline 

accidents is to engage a tagline release 

person and provide them with 

equipment to release the tagline quickly.

- Avoid or take special precautions in the 

vicinity of canal siphons, pumping 

intakes, bridge piers, docks, locks, and 

dams.

The essence of boating safety is keeping out of 

trouble rather than getting out of trouble after you get 

into it. The operator of the boat is responsible for 

knowing all equipment requirements and safety 

procedures for the craft. Employees are referred to U.S. 

Coast Guard Auxiliary (1986) for detailed boating 

information and regulations. Some general boating 

safety guidelines are:

- Distribute weight evenly when loading 

your boat.

- Know emergency procedures and 

distress signals.

- In addition to the equipment required by 

law, carry a first aid kit, flashlight, 

distress flares, paddle or oars, extra 

shear pins, bailor or bucket, extra 

anchor and plenty of anchor line, 

mooring lines, a good tool kit, compass, 

reserve fuel and extra spark plugs, 

emergency water and food, and a 

transistor radio capable of receiving on 

the marine band.

- Call for weather report for the area you 

will be in prior to each trip. Beware of 

weather, currents, and tide conditions. 

- Know and obey state and federal rules.

- Leave a float plan.

- Follow all safety precautions when 

fueling the craft. Portable fuel tanks 

should be lifted out of the boat and 

placed on the dock to be fueled. Don't 

forget to secure the tank and wipe up 

and wash down any spillage. 

- Pay attention to your boat's handling 

characteristics and know its capabilities 

for all types of weather conditions.

- Keep clear of fixed objects and watch 

out for overhead power lines.

- Keep the boat in good condition.

- Where possible, have the boat safety 

checked by U.S. Coast Guard.

Discharge Measurements Under Ice Cover

Current-meter measurements, made under ice cover 

require special equipment for cutting holes in the ice 

through which to suspend the meter. Holes of 6-inch 

diameter are most often cut with a power ice drill. 

Where impossible to use an ice drill, ice chisels are 

used to chop the holes. The most dangerous task of ice 

measurements is determining whether or not the ice is 

strong enough to support the hydrographer and the 

equipment. If the ice thickness is questionable for 

safety, no measurement will be made. Discharge 

measurements under ice cover are usually made under 

conditions that range from uncomfortable to severe.

A few reminders that might prevent accidents or 

damage to equipment are:

- Review field folder and study previous 

available field notes on hazards 

experienced at the measuring sites.

- Use appropriate ice drilling and 

measuring equipment. Power augers 

must have a dead man switch to stop the 

auger when the operator lets go. Be sure 

to have enough sharpened blades for ice 

drill that could be replaced when 

needed.

- A minimum of two people must be 

assigned to make a measurement under 

ice cover. Especially, when testing the 

strength of the ice, they should work as 

a team and observe all safety 

precautions. PFD’s will be worn at all 

times during the measurement.

- After arriving at the site, first select the 

cross section that is most suitable for 

existing flow condition. This will 

require crossing the stream; the 
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 17

hydrographer should test the strength of 

the ice with solid blows using a sharp 

ice chisel.

- Ice creepers, strapped on the shoes of 

boots or waders, are especially 

recommended for use on steep or icy 

streambanks.

- After selecting a cross section, stretch a 

tag line across the stream. Start cutting 

holes with an ice drill. Be careful, avoid 

hitting rocks or logs.

- Dress according to the weather 

conditions; always carry extra clothing 

for emergencies.

- After holes are cut, start discharge 

measurement. The meter should be 

exposed as little as possible to the cold 

air so that its operation will not be 

impaired by the formation of ice on 

exposed parts. When taking velocity 

counts from hole to hole, avoid slipping 

on freshly formed glazed ice.

Indirect Flood Discharge Measurements

The measurement of flood discharges at field sites 

may be impossible or impractical, due to road 

conditions or high streamwater velocities. Fortunately, 

technology exists that enables hydrologists to measure 

peak flood discharges after the fact by indirect 

methods. These methods require the field surveying of 

water-surface profiles, from flagged high-water marks, 

and the geometry of the stream channel which carried 

the flood.

The field surveying is performed in a timely 

manner after the flood peak occurrence, and is 

performed under commonly difficult field conditions. 

The high-water marks are generally flagged within 24 

hours of the crest, when seed lines are fresh. Field 

conditions can be hazardous and require extreme 

caution by field people. These conditions can include 

dead and decaying animals, broken sewer lines, foul 

humid air, downed power lines and trees, and snakes up 

in trees. Additional information can be found in 

Benson and Dalrymple (1967) or Rantz and others 

(1982).

Electrofishing

Some WRD programs require that biological 

information on fish be collected to help assess the 

water quality of a stream. A technique which is 

commonly used by biologists to collect fish is 

electrofishing (EF). In this method, an electrical charge 

in the water stuns the fish so they can be captured and 

examined.

Electrofishing is an inherently hazardous activity in 

which safety is the primary concern. The electrical 

energy used in EF is sufficient to cause electrocution. 

To protect the safety of the employees involved in EF, 

the WRD has issued Memorandum 93.19 

("Requirements for WRD Personnel Performing 

Electrofishing") that presents policy on training, 

immunization, and procedures and responsibilities.

Construction, Repair, and Maintenance of

Streamgaging Stations

There are many hazards associated with the 

construction and repair of streamgaging stations. By 

using common sense and by taking proper precautions, 

most accidents can be prevented. This can be 

accomplished by reading instructions and asking 

questions related to the job, including planning of 

work, research for information in field folders, and 

reading previous field notes of adjacent sites. The type 

of structure or repair that is needed should be 

determined and, if necessary, detailed plans for the 

construction or repair of gages must be prepared. 

Construction permits and inspections may be required 

and you must consult your local building department 

for up-to-date information. On occasion, contractors 

may be required to complete the work.

The maintenance of gages needs to be conducted 

on a regular basis. If maintenance is scheduled and 

carried out properly, it will result in fewer safety risks 

and less costly repairs. All manufacturer's 

recommendations must be closely followed when 

servicing or trouble-shooting equipment. Instructions 

associated with equipment operation in the field must 

be filed in the field folder. All specific information 

related to the maintenance of the gage must be 

available prior to technician's departure to the field. 

The following safety procedures relating to gaging 

stations are recommended.
18 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

- Identify all potential hazards before the 

construction or repair of the gage. 

Assemble the list of hazards from 

hazard elimination logs, and provide it 

to the field crew.

- Clear away the brush, vegetation, or 

debris from around the structure using a 

brush hog, keeping a sharp eye out for 

poisonous snakes. Hip boots or high-top 

leather shoes provide some protection 

against snake bites.

- During construction of gage houses, the 

excavation must be properly shored to 

eliminate any danger of cave-ins. 

Scaffolding should be well constructed 

and checked before using.

- Before any excavation is started, 

the location of underground utility 

lines must be identified. These 

lines include electric, oil and gas, 

telecommunications, water, and sewer.

- When doing construction or repair work 

on the gage structure, precautions must 

be taken against falls. Portable ladders 

used to gain access to the roof of a gage 

house must be well positioned to 

prevent slippage.

- When doing construction or repair work 

to the gage structure attached to bridges, 

precaution must be taken to insure 

employees safety as well as the safety of 

the motoring public while working from 

the bridge. Wear PFD’s at all times. 

Check atmosphere in well before 

entering and have an assistant and 

retrieval system available for 

emergencies.

- When working in a well, be sure that 

tools are in a safe place where they 

cannot be knocked into the well. When 

buckets are lowered or raised, the 

person below, should wear a hard hat 

and stand in the farthest side from the 

trap or well door.

- When entering a well (confined space), 

proper ventilation in the well is 

necessary. Some wells may have little or 

no oxygen. Use a gas monitoring 

instrument to check for the presence of 

harmful gases and low oxygen levels. 

Do not strike a match in a well because 

of the danger posed by the possible 

presence of explosive or flammable 

vapors. Do not work in the well until the 

deficiency is corrected. 

- Carry plenty of rope and complete set of 

bridge traffic control safety equipment 

to warn motorists.

- The walkaways, steps, etc., to the gage 

houses must be checked frequently. Any 

parts that are decayed, broken, loose, 

etc. must be replaced promptly. Never 

paint a wooden walkaway, use a wood 

preservative.

- Flooring, trap doors, and shelves within 

the gage house must be checked 

frequently for safety. Wooden parts will 

often become weakened by decay and 

must be replaced.

- Ladders and ladder rungs must be 

properly secured to and spaced from the 

gage house walls. Those under water 

can rust so badly that they become 

unsafe. When descending or ascending 

ladders, employees should make sure of 

their footing and always have one hand 

gripping the siderails.

- Check for evidences of rodents as a 

prevention of hantavirus and other 

infectious diseases. Respirators must be 

worn during removal of rodent nests and 

excreta. The inside of the gage house 

must be sprayed with a chlorine solution 

(1 cup Chlorox to 1 gallon of water). 

Access holes for rodents must be found 

and plugged.

Gage Inspection and Records Removal

It is required to visit the streamgaging stations at 

scheduled intervals for record removal and discharge 

measurement. The field folders provide the specific 

pertinent information associated with each station. All 

instructions and notes that are related to the particular 

station must be left in the field folder and transferred 
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 19

from year to year. Hazards must be well documented in 

a log and made available to anyone that visits the 

station.

Upon arrival at the station, one should clear away 

the brush, vegetation, or debris from around the 

structure, keeping a sharp eye for poisonous snakes 

before beginning the inspection and records removal. 

Open the gage house door carefully and look for 

unusual conditions that might exist inside. If the station 

was vandalized, equipment in the gage house may be 

left in a dangerous condition. Also, look for insects that 

could be a hazard to you during your work inside the 

gage house. Brace the door or lid of the shelter so it 

will not close by strong wind while you are working 

inside of the gage house. In gage houses with wells or 

equipped with monitoring manometers, check if there 

is a supply of oxygen and maintain proper ventilation. 

The house door should be kept open for at least a few 

minutes before servicing the equipment. This is 

because mercury vapor may be present even in 

ventilated houses.

Do not work inside a gage house with the door 

closed. Gage house doors are often targets for gun 

practice. People may not be aware that someone may 

be behind the closed door.

Share information on any hazard that you discover 

by leaving a note in the field folder and inside the gage 

house, and list all hazards on a hazard elimination log. 

Any problem that field personnel encounter in the field 

must be corrected immediately, if possible. A problem 

left unresolved could become a serious hazard.

Keep the inside of the gage house clean.

Scuba Diving

Occasionally it is necessary for Survey personnel to 

conduct scuba diving activities in support of data 

collection and environmental studies. Scuba diving is a 

potentially high risk operation and therefore requires 

special control and procedures to protect employees 

from accidents. Compliance with OSHA regulations is 

required as specified for scientific diving. No scuba 

operations are permitted without meeting every 

requirement of the OSHA regulations.

Safety considerations include:

- Always dive with another person; use 

the buddy system. Stay together 

continuously.

- Avoid decompression, dive within your 

limits.

- Make the deepest dive first.

- Control buoyancy; don't overweight 

yourself.

- Always display the dive flag while 

diving.

- Avoid strong currents and begin dive 

against current.

- Equalize pressure early and often.

- Develop and use methods to communicate 

underwater.

- Limit depth to 100 feet or less.

- Breathe regularly and be aware of the 

hazards of breath holding.

- Stay aware of air supply while diving.

- Ascend carefully and slowly.

- Leave water when shivering, tired, or 

injured.

- If diving in an area where gates are 

being moved using electrical power, 

coordinate the dive with the gate tender 

to avoid movement of the gates while 

the diver is in the water. 

Ground-Water Activities

This section of the guide discusses safety issues 

that are common to most of our ground-water 

activities. It includes procedures and guidelines to 

avoid personal injuries when conducting well 

inventory, collecting water-level data, instrumenting 

and repairing observation wells, drilling observation 

wells, conducting aquifer tests, geophysical logging of 

wells, and conducting surface-geophysical 

measurements.

Well Inventory

Wells are the primary source of ground-water data. 

Well inventories, either for project investigations or for 

basic data collection networks, usually require an 

intensive search for a large number of wells in a 

localized area. Data collection in most project wells are 

discontinued in a few years upon completion of the 
20 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

project. Wells included in the basic data collection 

network are selected to represent regional coverage and 

various ground-water conditions and are usually 

operated for long periods of time.

Private landowners, their dogs, and some of their 

livestock (bulls, horses, certain breeds of cattle, 

buffalo, boar, hogs, etc.) must be recognized as 

potential risks while conducting well inventories. 

Consider the following recommendations:

- Contact property owners beforehand 

and obtain permission to access the 

property. Obtain as much information as 

possible from the owner about possible 

hazards. If the site will be visited 

regularly, make notes on potential 

dangers so that subsequent field 

personnel will be forewarned.

- Minimize disturbing livestock and fowl.

- Stay on roads or trails with vehicles to 

avoid damage to vehicles, pastures, 

crops, etc. Catalytic converters can start 

grass fires. Leave all gates as found 

(open or closed).

- Be careful of wells with pumps in 

operation and avoid contact with 

moving parts and electrical wiring.

- Carry a clipboard as protection from 

small hostile animals and for keeping 

data while at the field site. Carry a large 

crescent wrench or walking stick to 

ward off larger hostile animals.

- Survey the site watching for snakes, 

animals, insects, water, and other 

hazards.

- List all the hazards on a hazard 

elimination log.

Collecting Water-Level Data

Fluctuations of water-levels in aquifers are 

obtained primarily from direct measurements with a 

steel tape, battery powered electric tapes, air lines 

equipment with pressure gages, and graphical or punch 

tape stage recorders. In recent years, electronic 

pressure transducers and data recorders have been used 

to measure water levels. 

Collecting water-level data with a steel or electric 

tape is a relatively safe activity, but a few simple 

procedures must be followed to minimize personal 

injury and property damage. If the well is pumping, 

special precautions must be taken.

- Determine as much as possible about 

the types of pumps you will be working 

with and the position of the pump 

intake. Take care not to have the tape 

pulled into the pump intake.

- Stay clear of unprotected rotating drive 

shafts or belt drives.

- Avoid using weights attached to tape. 

The weights could lodge in the pump 

column or well casing. Be sure that the 

weights are attached with a hook or wire 

mesh weak enough to be snapped off if 

it should become lodged in the well.

- Watch for low doorways and beams in 

well houses. As you enter the well 

house, check for rotten or loose floor 

boards, snakes, biting or stinging 

insects, slick pump house floors, and 

inadequate lighting.

- If the pump is electrically driven, check 

for exposed wires, electrical panels 

without protective covers and any other 

possible electrical hazards which might 

be encountered while working near the 

pump. 

- During measurement of non-pumping 

water levels, disconnect or open the 

electrical switch on the pump motor to 

prevent the pump from starting during 

the measurement. This will eliminate 

the chance of the tape becoming pulled 

into the pump intake. Close the switch 

when measurement is complete.

Instrumentation and Repairing 

Observation Wells

Observation wells usually are equipped with 

digital, punched-tape recorders and are used to monitor 

changes in water levels and to provide long-term 

statistics for assessing the impacts of climatic and maninduced changes. Another method uses a data logger 

with pressure transducers capable of recording very 
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 21

frequent fluctuations of the water levels in wells. This 

method is used for short-term projects such as 

measuring drawdowns during aquifer tests.

Installing instruments and repairing observation 

wells are relatively safe activities, but a number of 

procedures listed below must be followed to avoid 

personal injury or infringing on someone's rights. 

- Obtain permission and property access 

agreement from owner to access site 

and to install instruments or repair 

observation wells.

- Read and follow instructions for 

materials to be used for instrumentation 

or repairing the well.

- Prepare instrument shelter and attach all 

fittings in the shop so that the shelter 

can be positioned into the well casing in 

the field. Be sure to wear work gloves 

and goggles when operating power 

tools.

- Stay on roads or trails with vehicle to 

avoid damage to vehicle, pasture, crops, 

etc., and to avoid getting stuck. Leave 

all gates as found (open or closed) 

- After arriving at well site, unload shelter 

by using proper technique for lifting and 

moving heavy objects.

- If a generator and power tools are 

required, be sure they are operated away 

from grass or brush to avoid a fire or 

away from water that could cause an 

electrical shock to the operator. Install 

Ground-Fault-Circuit-Interrupter 

(GFCI) when required to prevent shock.

- Clear vegetation, cut tall grass around 

the well site, and remove all trash from 

site at each visit, or as needed, to 

discourage the nesting of snakes, 

rodents, and insects.

- Be careful while using polyvinyl 

chloride (PVC) solvents and adhesives. 

Avoid skin contact and breathing 

vapors.

Drilling Observation Wells

To obtain information on the subsurface and 

hydrology of an area, it is often necessary to drill test 

wells, to collect drill cuttings of formations penetrated 

by, or to make borehole geophysical studies involving 

the use of specialized logging equipment. Field 

personnel assigned to such projects are exposed to 

dangers when working around heavy machinery, and 

must have a thorough understanding of the drilling 

equipment and its operation. The following guidelines 

must be followed to avoid accidents while working at 

well drilling sites.

- Obtain written permission for entry to 

land.

- Plan access to minimize damage to 

private property.

- Be familiar with the drilling equipment 

and its operation procedures.

- Drill rig should be fitted with an all 

around shut down switch bar.

- Before any drilling is started, a site must 

be selected that is free of any overhead 

wires, underground cable, pipes, tanks, 

or buried wastes. Research the historical 

use of a site and, if warranted, use 

surface geophysical techniques such as 

resistivity or EM-31 profiling to 

indicate potential problems from buried 

tanks or wastes.

- If it is necessary to set up a drilling rig 

on a public road, use proper signs, 

reflectors, and/or flag persons to warn 

oncoming traffic.

- Be sure to wear the proper clothes and 

use safety equipment, such as hard hats, 

gloves, safety glasses, steel-toed shoes.

- Never wear loose-fitting clothes that can 

be entangled in open rotating gears or 

belt drives.

- One should be prepared for accidents by 

being trained on the principles and 

procedures of first aid and fire fighting, 

and be equipped with adequate first-aid 

kits and fire extinguishers.
22 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

- Keep the site clear of excess pipe, 

casing, tools, cables, and rope.

- Be aware of potential dangers such as 

pinching fingers between lengths of 

pipe, casing, etc.; tangling hands and 

feet in ropes or chains, slipping on 

drilling mud; and touching a hot 

compressor, generator, etc.

- Never use equipment that is not safe. If 

a breakdown or problem arises that 

constitutes a safety risk, the equipment 

must be shut down until necessary 

repairs or changes have been made.

- Never allow a drill rig to be operated by 

only one person.

- Never do repair work on the equipment 

without first shutting it off.

- Allow a gasoline or diesel engine to 

cool before refueling.

- Clean up site after drilling and repair 

any damage to property.

- Drilling at hazardous waste sites such 

as air bases. Installation Restoration 

Program (IRP) requires specific training 

and medical surveillance of the 

personnel according to OSHA 

regulations.

- When lightning is observed, discontinue 

operation.

Conducting Aquifer Tests

Aquifer tests are routinely conducted as part of 

subsurface hydrologic project activities. An aquifer test 

involves pumping a well at a constant rate to stress the 

aquifer. The rate of water-level depletion is measured 

in the pumped well and nearby monitoring wells and 

the data are used to determine the hydraulic properties 

of the aquifer. The fluctuations in water levels are 

measured either electronically, mechanically, or 

manually. The hydraulic characteristics of the aquifer 

are determined graphically or analytically.

The following points need to be considered when 

conducting aquifer tests:

- Permission must be obtained from the 

agency, organization, or private person 

owning or controlling the land. 

Remember to maintain cordial relations 

and respect the right of the landowner. 

Be specific in your communication 

about the purpose of work and locations 

where work will be done.

- Manpower and equipment must be able 

to reach the site safely.

- Protective gloves should be worn during 

pump installation and removal because 

the discharge pipe may be slippery or 

the woven wire cable may be frayed.

- Protect against rotating shafts.

- If a portable generator is used, be sure 

to use caution when storing and 

handling gasoline.

- In using electrical motors, care must be 

exercised to see that the motor voltage, 

frequency or cycles and phase 

correspond with those of the power 

lines. To ensure proper performance of 

the pump motor, have a licensed 

electrician connect it to the service line.

- Transport the water away from the site 

to an area that will not be damaged or 

flooded. This also will reduce the 

potential for electrical shocks.

- During long-term tests, schedule 

adequate personnel. Avoid extreme 

fatigue; it can impair judgement and 

physical capability. Recuperate as 

needed and maintain communications 

between personnel.

- After test is completed, clean up the site 

and repair any property damage.

Occasionally, project work calls for aquifer testing 

with a high-capacity pump. A pump contractor is 

usually hired to install the pump, maintain it in running 

condition throughout the test, and remove it when the 

test is completed. The responsibility of the employees 

assigned to the site is to:

- Stand clear of the site while the pump is 

being installed or removed.
Specific Procedures and Safety Issues 23

- Wear a hardhat at all times.

- Use earplugs.

- Insure that the contractor cleans up the 

site and repairs any property damage.

Geophysical Logging of Wells

Geophysical logging sometimes provides the only 

means of obtaining subsurface information. 

Geophysical logging can be used for determining 

geologic formations, aquifer characteristics, and 

physical properties of wells. Most geophysical logging 

equipment used by the USGS is permanently mounted 

on heavyweight carryall trucks. The equipment 

includes a single or multi-conductor cable and a pen 

and ink recorder and solid-state recorders. Data are 

collected by lowering sensing devices in the borehole 

and recording the data on a graphic chart and magnetic 

tape. The logger also is useful for collecting water 

samples at different depths by lowering a sampler into 

the well. The logger is generally powered by a 

generator, and the cable is raised and lowered with a 

power winch.

To minimize the potential for accidents, consider 

the following guidelines.

- Contact the well owner and request 

permission to log the well. Keep the 

owner informed of your plans and 

schedule.

- Use common sense around logging 

equipment. Be aware that you are 

working around water and 120 volts of 

electricity. To avoid electrical shock, 

wear rubber boots.

- Check probes and generator before 

leaving office. Inspect cable and 

connectors for rust and wear.

- Wear fitted clothing and stay clear of the 

winch and pulleys when probes are 

being lowered or raised to avoid getting 

clothing caught. A helper often must 

attend to the cable to work the probes 

past tight spots and to clean the cable as 

it comes out of the hole.

- Handle cable with heavy gloves to 

prevent burns and cuts from cable.

- Tension on cables must be monitored at 

all times. Particular care must be 

exercised when pulling probes out to 

avoid breaking line if tool becomes 

stuck.

- When lightning is observed, discontinue 

operation and remove probes from well.

- Be aware of radiation risks and take the 

necessary precautions when logging 

with a nuclear source. In order to 

operate a nuclear-source tool, the 

operator must be trained and certified. 

The greatest danger may be to an 

untrained helper who may get long-term 

exposure. 

Surface Geophysical Measurements

Surface geophysical methods are often used to 

study the subsurface without the expense of drilling 

wells. These methods include electrical resistivity 

measurements, electromagnetic, seismic, magnetic and 

ground-penetrating radar surveys, and gravity 

techniques. The electrical resistivity, electromagnetics, 

and seismic methods are the most widely used for 

ground-water exploration. Electrical resistivity 

measurements require an electrode array to detect 

zones of high or low subsurface resistivity. The seismic 

surveys use an energy source such as explosives or 

hammers and an array of receivers to detect velocity 

difference between different earth materials.

Personnel who conduct surface geophysical 

surveys must have a thorough understanding of the 

equipment and its operation. General guidelines to 

follow are:

- Contact all property owners and obtain 

permission to conduct the surface 

geophysical surveys. Keep owners 

informed of your plans and schedule.

- Make sure all equipment is in good 

operating condition. Check all 

equipment and power source prior to 

leaving the office. Replace any frayed, 

cut, or damaged cords or plugs.

- Follow all instructions when operating 

the equipment. Incorrect connection of 

wires could be dangerous to the 

operator and the equipment.
24 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

- Respect the energy source and properly 

ground all instruments. Discontinue use 

of any equipment that causes an 

electrical tickle or shock. Use GFCI’s in 

the lines.

- When working along roadways, use 

caution, place cones around work areas, 

stay off the roadway if possible.

- Use special caution when operating 

equipment with high-voltage output. 

Never tamper with the equipment 

during operation and only service it 

when the unit has been properly 

discharged.

- Any use of explosives is potentially 

dangerous and requires special training 

and preparation. Employees must not 

work around a site where explosives are 

being used without receiving training on 

specific operation and associated 

hazards. Check to see if permits are 

required from local jurisdictions. 

Adequate communication between the 

explosives operators is essential—they 

should be properly trained in use of 

hand signals and hand-held radios.

WATER-QUALITY ACTIVITIES

Water samples are collected under a wide range of 

conditions and the work can be dangerous. A 

knowledge of the hazards involved and means by 

which they can be minimized should be helpful in 

preventing accidents and in providing greater safety for 

sample collectors. It is the responsibility of every field 

person to take proper precautions to insure their own 

safety and the safety of others while collecting water 

samples. Follow normal field safety precautions 

regarding weather, insects, heat, dehydration, etc., and 

follow the recommended procedures and precautions 

for wading, boat, bridge, cableway, or ice 

measurements. Especially, pay attention to dangers 

present in the vicinity of the sampling site. List all 

specific instructions in field files for safety procedures 

according to TWRI's or established standards.

Collecting Samples from Streams, 

Rivers, and Lakes

Taking samples from streams, rivers, and lakes for 

water-quality analysis has unique safety risks. The 

inability to swim and difficulty in freeing oneself of 

burdensome equipment or waders if suddenly plunged 

into deep water are perhaps the most serious risks in 

taking samples. Remember to always wear your PFD 

and make sure it is in good condition. Keep your feet 

spread apart and body aligned parallel to the flow and 

don't fight the water. At cableways, remember to 

inspect anchorages at both banks, if possible, and look 

for signs of excessive wear, vandalism, or accidental 

damage to the equipment. At bridge sites, follow all 

State laws for blocking traffic, wear high visibility 

vests with reflective strips, post appropriate signs at 

each end of the bridge, and be alert for wide loads and 

large trucks which may extend over the walkway. 

Develop a plan for each bridge site for placing traffic 

control devices. When working on ice, there is no 

substitute for experience. When possible, work with 

someone who is experienced working on ice. Be aware 

of the temperature, whether the stage is rising or 

falling, and whether the ice is strong enough to support 

your body and equipment.

Water is a carrier for many disease-producing 

organisms. Appearance alone is no way to judge the 

safety of the water. Water-born hazards may come from 

material dissolved in the water, suspended in the water, 

or in sediment of the stream bottom. Infections or 

disease can enter the body through accidental ingestion 

by mouth or through skin broken by injury or another 

infection. The following guidelines must be used for 

protection of personnel working around polluted water:

- Assume the water is polluted.

- Wear rubber gloves to avoid contact 

with water, especially if it is suspected 

of being contaminated. 

- Obtain immunizations for known 

hazards.

- Equipment for each personnel should 

include separate supplies of drinking 

water, wash water, soap, and a 

disinfectant.
Water-Quality Activities 25

- Wash water, soap, and disinfectant 

should be used after all sampling even if 

the sampled water appears to be 

uncontaminated.

- Protect feet with waders while in mud 

or water. Remove waders before 

washing hands; remember, they may be 

more contaminated than the current 

meter or sampler.

- Protect wounds on hands with rubber or 

plastic gloves.

- Avoid contamination of water, places, or 

people with your equipment or waders.

- Avoid carrying a pencil in the mouth 

while sampling or stream gaging.

- Avoid rubbing eyes.

Sampling Wells

There is no single sampling method that will work 

best for all wells. A number of methods are currently in 

use for sampling wells. The equipment ranges from 

simple to refined, including bailers, gas-driven 

samplers, bladder pumps, syringe devices, electric 

submersible pumps, suction-lift pumps, air-lift 

samplers, and gas-driven piston pumps. In selecting a 

sampling method for a well, a number of details must 

be considered. Among the considerations are the 

portability of the equipment, depth to water, well 

diameter, water volume, ease of cleaning the 

equipment, method by which the sampling device 

brings the water to the surface, and reliability of the 

equipment.

Due to the great variety of physical equipment and 

field situations in well water sampling, it is 

impracticable to list a detailed set of safety rules and 

standards applicable to this activity. Collecting groundwater samples has its own special risks. Follow normal 

field-safety precautions and procedures for groundwater activities. General guidelines to follow are:

- All routine field safety and equipment 

and procedures must be followed at all 

times.

- Know as much as possible about the 

types of pumps you will be working 

with.

- Follow specific instructions on 

instrument operations provided by the 

manufacturer.

- Make sure all equipment is in good 

operating condition. Check all 

equipment and power sources prior to 

leaving the office.

- Before using any pump, be familiar with 

its operation, and for installed pumps, 

review procedures in the field folder for 

the site.

- Electrical sources are potential hazards. 

Electrical sources, batteries, generators, 

or existing AC can cause shocks. 

Respect the energy source and properly 

ground all instruments.

- Gasoline is a source of potential 

contamination, fire, and fumes; gasoline 

must be stored in approved containers. 

Pumps and generators must be fueled 

and oiled away from the area of 

operation.

- If the site is in a well house or spring 

house, watch for low doorways and 

beams inside. As you enter, check for 

rotten or loose floor boards, slippery 

floors, snakes, and biting or stinging 

insects.

- Check for exposed wiring, open 

electrical panels, and any other possible 

electrical hazards which might be 

encountered while working near the 

pump.

Sample Preservation and Shipment

Chemicals, supplies, and equipment used in the 

collection and preservation of water-quality samples 

may be dangerous to both field personnel and to 

passers-by if precautions are not followed. Most 

preservatives are either corrosive or poisonous and 

contact with them must be avoided. Buffers, standards, 

and filling solutions also are potentially harmful and it 

is a good general rule to also avoid contact with them. 

The following safety rules must be practiced when 

handling preservatives:
26 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

- Protective gloves, clothing, and eye 

wear must be worn when handling 

hazardous chemicals.

- Carry a sufficient volume of water and 

antiseptic washes to rinse any accidental 

spills. Baking soda is a good all purpose 

substance to absorb acid spills in trucks.

- Avoid spillage and personal contact and 

have appropriate clean-up kits.

- Wash gloved hands thoroughly with 

disinfectant soap after sampling and 

discard gloves properly.

- Be careful when handling acid 

ampoules to avoid cuts splashes, and 

breathing fumes. Wear eye protection 

devices (goggles or face shield).

- Dispose of each empty ampoule and tip 

immediately following use and before 

filling a bottle for the next sample. It is 

recommended that the two parts of the 

ampoule be placed in either a widemouth glass screw jar or a steel disposal 

can. The disposal container should be 

filled to 1

/4 volume with tap water to 

minimize shock breakage to the used 

ampoule.

- Concentrated acid used to preserve 

samples should be carried in the 

smallest volumes possible and 

practicable.

- If ampoules are used, they should be 

carried in their original shipping 

container.

- If a larger volume of acid is needed, it 

should be carried in a container with 

non-flammable packing which will 

absorb spills. The container must be 

secured in the vehicle so that even if the 

vehicle is involved in an accident or 

upset, the acid will not leak out of the 

container and packaging.

- Avoid rapid heating and cooling of 

glassware, because it can cause 

breakage. Do not pick up broken glass 

with hands. Sweep or scoop the glass 

up.

- Avoid contact with contaminated water. 

If contact is unavoidable, wash hands 

and equipment frequently.

- Special care must be used with syringes. 

The used syringe must be packaged for 

disposal so that no one handling the 

wastes will be cut or gouged.

- Alcohol or other flammable chemicals 

must be transported in the smallest 

practical volumes and in closed 

containers that are secured in the 

vehicles so they will not leak or break.

- Cylinders of compressed gasses must 

always be tightly secured in a vehicle 

and while in use. Gas cylinders must 

never be allowed to stand upright 

without being secured.

Follow established procedures for shipping 

samples to the laboratory and observe proper lifting 

procedures when transporting water and ice-filled 

coolers. It is recommended that shipping containers be 

lined with appropriate water-proof materials to prevent 

water leakage from melting ice. Use sufficient packing 

material in containers to avoid breakage of sample 

bottles.

Operating Field Parameter Meters

A wide variety of meters are commercially 

available for measuring water-quality field parameters. 

Parameters commonly measured in the field include 

alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductance, 

and temperature. A less commonly measured 

parameter is RP (redox potential). Usually parameters 

are measured independently using separate meters. 

However, multi-parameter meters also are available.

Standards are used to calibrate the meters both in 

the office and in the field. All meters must be 

recalibrated at each site. This means, if the meter is 

packed up and moved, it must be recalibrated. 

Standards should be at ambient water temperatures 

for accurate calibration. When the air temperature is 

radically different from water temperature, standards 

should be placed in a circulating bath of sample water 

until they are close to the water temperature. 

Remember, good field data depends on proper care, 

calibration, and maintenance of field equipment.
References 27

The operation of field meters is generally a 

relatively safe activity. A few reminders that may 

prevent accidents or damage to the equipment are:

- Keep meters in good operating 

condition and routinely clean, repair, or 

replace dirty or corroded connections, 

cells, probes, or sensors.

- Read and follow instrument manual and 

become familiar with its operation.

- Protect yourself from electrical shock. 

Replace or repair any broke, weak, 

exposed, or frayed wiring. Replace 

batteries that show any unusual wear or 

cracks in housing.

- Store and transport meters, probes, and 

sensors carefully. Equipment and tools 

should be kept separate as much as 

possible and carried in such a manner as 

to minimize damage from vibrations 

and jostling.

- Meters and probes should not be stored 

in vehicle over night, if possible. Return 

meters and probes to the office or lab at 

the end of each field day.

Installing and Operating Water-Quality

Monitors

In recent years, equipment to record measurements 

of various water-quality parameters every few minutes 

has been developed and can be installed on stream 

banks, bridges, or wells. These data are often needed to 

determine short term and in some cases real time 

fluctuations in the concentration of these water quality 

parameters. In many cases, data are needed at remote 

sites, which have no electrical utilities.

Personnel who install and operate water-quality 

monitors must have a thorough understanding of the 

equipment and its operation. General guidelines to 

follow are:

- Follow all instructions when operating 

the equipment.

- Make sure all equipment is in good 

operating condition. Check all 

equipment and power sources prior to 

leaving the office.

- When working on bridges, follow the 

safety procedures discussed in the 

section on surface-water procedures.

- Follow all safety precautions in the 

construction and repair of gage 

structures that may house the 

equipment.

REFERENCES

Andrews, H.L., and Russell, A.L., 1974, Basic boating, piloting, and seamanship: Englewood Cliffs, N.J., PrenticeHall, 381 p.

Benson, M.A., and Dalrymple, Tate, 1967, General field and 

office procedures for indirect discharge measurements: 

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations Report, book 3, chap. A1, 30 p.

Cox, M.H., 1990, Protocol for emergency room procedures 

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1971, p. 3.

Keller, J.J., and Associates, 1993, Official OSHA Safety 

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182 p.

Miller, R.W., 1974, Guide for using horses in mountain 

country: Bozeman, Montana Wilderness Society, 16 p.

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Perez, R.A., 1985, The complete battery book: Blue Ridge 

Summit, PA, Tab Books.

Rantz, S.E. and others, 1982, Measurement and computation 

of streamflow, Volume 1. Measurement of Stage and 

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284, v. 2, p. 285-631

Shuter, Eugene, 1978, Guide to prevention of accidents in 

test-hole drilling: U.S. Geological Survey, Water 

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Snyder, C.T., 1970, New horizons/new hazards: U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Bulletin, July-September 1970, p. 3-4.

Sylvester, M.A., Kister, L.R., and Garrett, W.B., eds., 1990, 

Guidelines for the collection, treatment, and analysis of 

water samples—U.S. Geological Survey Western 

Region Field Manual: Internal use only, 144 p.
28 A Guide to Safe Field Operations

Tiball, R.R., 1984, Field-safety guidelines for the U.S. Geological Survey, Central Region, U.S. Geological Survey, 

56 p.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 1986, Boating skills and seamanship, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, 210 p.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 1979, Product 

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3 p.

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_____December 1993, U.S. Geological Survey occupational 

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chap. 1-19.

U.S. Department of Transportation, 1980, Pilots handbook of 

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U.S. Geological Survey, 1990, Handbook for new employees:

_____1991, Streamgaging cableways: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 91-84.

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84 p.

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_____Current notebook on safety policy and guidance memoranda.

ADDITIONAL READING

Allen, Deborah, 1980, What you should know about chain 

saws: Family Safety, Spring, p. 28-30.

American National Red Cross, 1973, Advanced first aid and 

emergency care: Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday and Co., 

Inc., 318 p.

_____1979, Standard first aid and personal safety (2d ed.): 

Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday and Co., Inc., 268 p.

Anonymous, 1973, Poisons, stings, and bites: Emergency 

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_____1973b, Insect stings—a danger as outdoor season 

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News and World Report, April 30, p. 47-48.

_____1977, An unwelcome guest: Agricultural Research, 

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_____1981, What should you do during an earthquake?: 

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Bowers, Jan, 1980, When nature goes on a rampage: Family 

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Brew, D.A., Bartsch-Winkler, Susan, Grantz, A., and Plafker, 

G., 1978, Guidelines for safe geologic fieldwork in 

Alaska: U.S. Geological Survey, Branch of Alaskan 

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Brower, D.R., ed., 1962, Manual of ski mountaineering (3d 

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Crippen, E.R., and Davis, K., undated, Staying alive in the 

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Dusel-Bacon, Cynthia, 1979, "Come quick! I’m being eaten 

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76.

Guthrie, Dorothea, 1980, Springtime is sting time: Family 

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Houston, C.S., 1976, Altitude illness—1976 version: American Alpine Journal, v. 20, no. 2, issue 50, p. 407-413.

_____1979, Altitude illness—recent advances in knowledge: 

American Alpine Journal, v. 22, no. 1, issue 53, p. 153-

159.

Harrington, H.D., 1967, Edible native plants of the Rocky 

Mountains: Albuquerque, New Mexico University 

Press, 392 p.

Jones, D.F., 1971, Back strain: the state of the art: Journal of 

Safety Research, v 3, no. 1, p. 28-34.

Kauffman, R.H., undated, How to protect yourself in the 

unlikely event of fire: unpublished, Los Angeles County 

Fire Department, Operations Division, P.O. Box 3009, 

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Kleinspehn, Karen, and Sisson, Jinny, 1981, Guidelines for 

safety policy and general practices in field work: 

unpublished manuscript, Department of Geological and 

Geophysical Sciences, Princeton University, Princeton, 

N.J., 47 p.

Kordyasz, E., 1979, Beware of scorpions: World Health, 

February 1979, p. 36.

Ley, H.L., Jr., 1971, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, in P.B. 

Beeson and Walsh McDermott (eds.), Cecil-Loeb textbook of medicine, volume 1, (13th ed.): Philadelphia, 

W.B. Saunders Co., p. 478-480.

Lyght, C.E., and others, ed., 1966, The Merck manual of 

diagnosis and therapy (11th ed.): Rahway, N.J., Merck 

Shank and Dohme Research Laboratories, 1,850 p.

Maricopa county Department of Civil Defense and Emergency Services, undated, Desert survival: Maricopa 

County Department of Civil Defense and Emergency 

Services, 2035 n. 52nd St., Phoenix, AZ, 11 p.

Meiklejohn, Gordon, 1971, Colorado tick fever, in P.B. Beeson and Walsh McDermott (eds.), Cecil-Loeb textbook 

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Miller, R.W., 1974, Guide for using horses in mountain 

country: Bozeman, Montana Wilderness Society, 16 p.
Additional Reading 29

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1970a, 

Thunderstorms: U.S. Department of Commerce, 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

NOAA/PI 70014, 5 p.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1970b, 

Lightning: U.S. Department of Commerce, National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA/PI 

70014, 5 p.

National Safety Council, 1966, Tick bites: Chicago, National 

Safety Council Data Sheet 228 (revised), 3 p.

_____1969, Emergency, a pocket guide to emergency action: 

National Safety council [pamphlet] no. 192.22, 25 p.

_____1980, How to survive a hotel fire: National Safety 

Council [pamphlet] no. 195.83, 5 p.

National Weather Service, 1971, Tornado, Safety rules: 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

[pamphlet], NOAA/PA 70008, 1 p.

_____1980, NOAA weather radio: National Weather Service 

[pamphlet] NOAA/PA 76015, 7 p.

Newman, Bert, 1981, Don’t drink the water: Audubon, v. 83, 

May, p. 95-97.

Office of Boating Safety, 1977, (Almost) everything you ever 

wanted to know about boating but were afraid to ask: 

U.S. Coast Guard [pamphlet], 24 p.

Peterson, A.E., 1962, Lightning hazards to mountaineers: 

American Alpine Journal, p. 143-154.

Schmidt, S.D., and Meier, P.G., 1982, In-use test for Giardia

cyst removal for Katadyn pocket filter and piston pump 

filter: Michigan University, Institute of Environmental 

and Industrial Health, Ann Arbor, (unpublished report), 

17 p.

Smith, H.A., 1976, There’s no hotfoot like a scorpion bite: 

Smithsonian, v. 6, no. 11, p. 140.

U.S. Coast Guard, 1974, Federal requirements for recreational boats: U.S. Coast Guard [pamphlet] C6-290, 

15 p.

_____1980, A pocket guide to cold water survival: U.S. 

Coast Guard Pamphlet COM-DTINST M3131.5, 20 p.

U.S. Forest Service, 1977, Safety and health orientation for 

new employees: U.S. Forest Service, 49 p.

Water Resources Division, 1961, Special safety issue: U.S. 

Geological Survey, Water Resources Bulletin, December, 43 p.

Watt, C.H., 1979, Snakebite: Don’t cool it: Emergency Medical Services, v. 8, no. 5, p. 10-13, 72.

Yoxall, Patricia, 1982, What to do when lightning strikes: 

Family Safety, Spring, p. 12-14.

Zahl, P.A., 1968, Scorpions—living fossils of the sands: 

National Geographic, v. 133, no. 3, p. 436-442.