Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department

Safety Information

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Safety Information

WEC takes the safety of students, staff and faculty very seriously. We expect everyone to take responsibility for their safety, be informed about safety issues and follow required and recommended safety protocols. Safety is a professional obligation and life saving skill for wildlife professionals. The following topics and links are provided as an entry to safety needs.

For Emergencies call campus police (352) 392-1111 and emergency services (911).

General

UF Environmental Health and Safety Web Page - This is your first and one-stop-shop for immediate emergency management and information. UF provides detailed information for first aid, accident management and avoidance and many useful links. All WEC personnel should be familiar with this page.
WEC - A Culture of Safety for Students - Powerpoint Presentation

Work Related Injury - All injuries sustained during WEC funded activity MUST be reported to your PI/supervisor. Instructions for reporting work related injuries.

CPR Training - All WEC personnel are encouraged to obtain CPR training which is available at Florida Heartsaver. Florida Heartsaver offers local, fee-based courses, including basic first aid, CPR, first responder, wilderness first aid, and wilderness first responder courses. funds may be available from the sponsoring faculty member for course fees.

Overseas Travel and Field Work - UF has new required procedures for reporting overseas travel and travel insurance.

Vehicles

Motor vehicles. Operation of any motorized vehicle, including your own, for WEC activity requires compliance with all State of Florida, UF and any additional agency (e.g., USGS) certifications, standards and procedures. Operations that have special requirements include:

UF vehicles, passenger vans and transporting students
Heavy duty and non-standard vehicles (trucks, tractors etc.)
Towing boats or other equipment

Boats. Operation of any vessel (boat, airboat, canoe) for WEC activity requires that the operator demonstrate or obtain appropriate experience or certification. WEC vessel use must comply with all state requirements for operation, safety equipment, personal floatation devices and lights. The Coop Unit provides vessels for research but has strict certification requirements

General boating operation requirements and safety information

Aircraft. WEC Aircraft Use and Safety Handbook.

Field Safety

Woods Safety Talk - Woods Safety Talk

Heat stroke and dehydration - http://www.medicinenet.com/heat_stroke/article.htm | https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-heatstroke/basics/art-20056655

Alligators and Crocodiles - Crocodile Safety

Venomous animals

Snakes https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/venomous-snakes
Africanized Bees http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in783
Fire Ants http://www.fireant.net/

Prevention: Tick bites/Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and/or other pathogens

Ticks are prevalent in wooded areas and there is always a possibility of contracting Lyme Disease, Ehrlichiosis and/or other pathogens from tick bites while outdoors in these areas especially during warm and dry periods.

Please read the important prevention information in the link below. This info will be provided to and distributed by TA's in all field labs. Extra copies available from Paul Proctor in B-1 N-Z/Equipment Room and Willie Wood in 118A N-Z/Operations.

Also, "lint removers" for rapid "seed tick" removal have been added to the auxillary first aid kits in all SFRC teaching vans and both research vehicles.

Thanks for being proactive in the prevention of injury from ticks!

Tick ID Cards: http://www.gundersenhealth.org/services/infectious-disease/tickborne-illnesses/tick-card-request-form/

More Information: http://www.gundersenhealth.org/services/infectious-disease/tickborne-illnesses/

Backcountry Lightning Risk Management

This paper is for people who work or recreate in remote backcountry settings where there are no buildings or vehicles in which to seek protection from lightning. The full paper is available here.

Diver safety

Use of any under-water compressed (e.g. Scuba) air or re-breathing apparatus for WEC activity requires current certification at an appropriate level PADI http://www.padi.com/, http://www.naui.org/ and UF Diver Safety Certification http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/programs/dive/certification/. Use of Scuba for diving into caves or any underground cavity is prohibited.

Firearms/Hunter

Federal and State law prohibits firearms anywhere on any University property. Use of firearms for research purposes such as collection of specimens, capture guns etc. must be cleared with your supervisor and comply with State and federal laws for the possession, carriage and use of firearms.

Fl Firearms Use - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Florida
Hunter Safety Certification - http://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/
Gun Safety Links - https://gunsafetyrules.nra.org/