Hazards Assessment for Field Research at Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut

HAZARD			 		SAFETY MEASURES

Air Travel						1, 2, 5

Glacier Travel
(Crevasses, moulins, equipment)			1, 3, 5, 6, 9

Skiing Accident					1, 3, 5, 7, 8
	
Polar Bears						1, 4, 5, 6

Chemical Exposure
(gasoline)						1, 5, 6, 7

Firearms						1, 4, 5, 6

Solitary Work						5, 6

Frostbite, hypothermia, cold injury			1, 3, 5, 9

Lifting, manual handling				1, 7, 10

Fire							1, 7, 11

Description of Safety Measures: Devon Ice Cap, Nunavut

1	Each field party contains at least one researcher certified in Standard First Aid and CPR.  The camp is equipped with a field first aid kit and each researcher is equipped with a personal first aid kit.  

2	Prior to boarding any type of aircraft, passengers are briefed in safety measures and emergency protocol that is specific to that aircraft.

3	Each field researcher has been trained in standard glacier travel and crevasse rescue procedures. On skidoo trips, field crews will always carry tent, sleeping bags, snow shovels, and spare food as well as an emergency locator transducer or satellite telephone and equipment required to perform a crevasse rescue. Climbing harnesses with karabiners will be worn at all times when crews are away from camp. Skidoo travel will always be in pairs, never alone. Routes are navigated by GPS and selected based on analysis of aerial photography and satellite imagery so as to avoid areas of major crevassing. 

4	Each field researcher has been trained in the use of firearms and possesses a valid Firearms Acquisition Certificate (FAC). Field crews will carry a loaded firearm with them at all times, but ammunition will not be kept in the breach of the weapon and safety catches will be engaged at all times. Anyone handling firearms will follow a strict firearms code of conduct. In camp, each sleeping tent will be equipped with a loaded firearm and firearms will be moved to the main camp shelter when this is in use. Every effort will be made to maintain a clean campsite and to store food and garbage away from sleeping areas to minimize the risk of attracting bears. Garbage will be removed from campsites at the earliest possible opportunity. Any bear encounters will be reported to PCSP. In the event of a defence kill being necessary, local Wildlife officers will be informed immediately through PCSP.

5	While in the field, each camp is in twice daily radio contact with the Polar Continental Shelf Project in Resolute Bay, Nunavut.  Daily travel plans will be reported to PCSP and they will monitor travel progress. If required, assistance can be requested at any time. Search and Rescue or Emergency medical support would be provided by Twin Otter or helicopter organized by PCSP. It is recognized that these activities may be restricted by ambient weather conditions. Field crews are supplied with satellite telephones as a backup if radio communication cannot be established. Parties travelling away from camps are equipped with either a satellite telephone or an emergency locator transducer beacon.

6	Working alone will not be permitted except in the immediate vicinity of the main campsite.

7	Fuel will be cached away from sleeping and food storage areas. Drums and other containers will be placed on tarps to catch spills. Personnel handling fuel will wear work gloves. Whenever possible fuel will be transferred from drums to smaller containers to facilitate handling and minimize the risk of spillage during fuel transfers.

8	Skidoo parties may include one member who is towed on skis behind the skidoo. Independent travel on skis may also be necessary at times. Skis used are light mountaineering skis with flexible boot bindings so as to reduce the force exerted by ski in a fall.  Skis are used to travel over soft, flat snow without sinking, not to travel down slopes. Risk of injury is comparable to that of a simple fall when walking i.e. possible but injury likely to be minor. Skiers will wear harness and karabiners at all times while travelling on the ice cap. Each party will carry a climbing rope and equipment needed for crevasse rescue.

9	Field clothing appropriate to the conditions encountered on the ice cap will be worn at all times and spare clothing will be carried on all trips away from camp sites.

10	Team members will follow the University guidelines on lifting and all their equipment is in easily handled boxes of a safe lifting weight for one person or a pair working together.  They will not participate in lifting operations which fall outside this advice. 

11	Fire safety awareness.  At Resolute Bay the fire drill, fire exits, provision of extinguishers, etc are as normal for any hotel.   In pyramid tents a solid base for cooking stoves will be used, and there will be ventilation and direct access for both people to tent door (pyramid tents are designed to allow cooking inside the tent). Propane will be used for cooking with cylinders kept outside, >3m from tent door.

12	All field personnel will be briefed on these procedures before the start of the field season and will be aware of action to be taken in the event of an emergency.