11.

0 Geochemical Survey Safety

Geochemical surveys usually involve collecting samples at regular intervals either along streams
or in a grid pattern on land. Although each sample may be small, the accumulated weight and
volume can result in an employee carrying a very heavy backpack. Learn as much as possible
from knowledgeable local people about specific risks and hazards so crews are prepared,
especially for stream sediment surveys.

Specific Risks and Hazards Associated with Geochemical Surveys

Back strains and injuries caused by lifting heavy samples, heavy backpacks, using improper
lifting techniques
Slips trips and falls caused by rough ground, wet and/or slippery surfaces, wearing footwear
with poor traction, balance problems from carrying heavy equipment or backpacks
Hypothermia caused by working in cold wet weather, effects of wind chill, wearing inadequate
clothing, dehydration, exhaustion
Impact injuries caused by the misuse of tools such as mattocks, shovels, mechanical augers,
post hole drills
Health risks include diseases and infections caused by contact with contaminated water or
soils containing parasites, viruses, and bacteria
Water-related risks include drowning and cold water immersion hypothermia, which may be
caused by falling into water while sampling, attempting dangerous stream crossings, when
working from boats, when water is a greater depth than anticipated
Injuries or death caused by accidents when travelling by vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, boats
or aircraft

11.0.1 General Prevention and Preparation

All geochemical survey crews should be familiar with the relevant safety routines, guidelines
and tips found in sections 11.1.1 and 11.1.2 and in Chapter 6 Safe Traversing Practices.
Back care: Collecting silt and mineral samples is strenuous work. Use correct lifting
procedures and properly constructed backpacks. Carry loads that are appropriate for
your personal strength and physical size; do not overload your backpack or show off. Get
help if you need it. Refer to chapter 4, section 4.3 Lifting and Back Protection.
Footing: It is easy to lose your balance when wearing a heavy pack. To prevent slips,
trips and falls, watch your footing at all times, especially late in the day when you are
tired. Boots should have high grip soles for work on slippery surfaces (e.g., rounded or
algae covered rocks). In some wet terrain it may be advisable to wear rubber boots or
use caulks (replaceable steel spikes screwed into the soles of special boots).
Tools: Use mattocks, shovels, picks, etc., correctly. Use caution when traversing so you
do not fall on them.
 Wear gloves to protect your hands. Geochemical sampling may expose your hands to
soils with disease causing organisms and it is easy for cuts to become infected. Soil-
borne diseases include but are not limited to: hookworm, tetanus, histoplasmosis, and
numerous fungal diseases. Make sure tetanus immunizations are up-to-date.
Animals and insects: Be aware of potential fauna at ground level. Watch out for signs of
bees or wasps, which often build nests in the ground. Do not place your hands where
they might be bitten by a venomous snake or stung by scorpions or insects. Digging up
samples may disturb them. In bear country, be equipped with bear deterrents and pay
attention to your surroundings. Sampling is quiet work so make sufficient noise to avoid
startling a bear. Wear bright rather than dark clothing to avoid being mistaken for animal
prey, as you appear smaller when sampling low to the ground. Refer to the relevant
sections of Chapter 10 Wildlife.
Transportation risks: Follow general and site specific SOPs that address the
appropriate transportation risks. Refer to the guidelines sections in the relevant chapters.

Figure 11.2: Geochemical samples are often small. Wear gloves to protect your skin. © Erika Tamboline

11.0.2 Stream Sediment Surveys

Working near streams can be extremely dangerous. Fast flowing currents can sweep a person
away if they fall in or lose their footing. Stream sediment surveys may require sample collection
and/or panning the heavy minerals to form concentrates. These surveys often require the worker
to collect samples while standing in water. Sampling may take place in various fluvial
environments – fast flowing water, glacial outflow streams, or wide braided streams or rivers with
gravel bars, slow meandering streams etc. Access may require helicopters, rafts, walking through
mud or swamps, or negotiating slippery boulders and/or steep outcrops. Lichen covered rocks
and logs are particularly hazardous. Water may be colder and deeper than anticipated.

Specific Risks and Hazards Associated with Stream Sediment Sampling

Drowning or cold water immersion hypothermia caused by falling into water from stream
banks, boats, attempting a dangerous stream crossing, not wearing a PFD
Slips, trips and falls caused by wet, slippery or rough ground, wearing inadequate
footwear
Stranding caused by impassable streams or weather, transportation fails to return
Health risks include diseases and infections caused by contact with contaminated water
containing parasites, viruses, and bacteria
Foot disorders caused by standing in water for long periods of time

Preventions and Precautions

There are additional risks and hazards associated with stream sediment surveys and panning
sampling methods.

Working alone: When following a grid line, sediment sampling can be done alone
although it is much safer practice to work with a partner. Rather than each worker
sampling a separate grid line alone, it is preferable to work in pairs and “leap frog” past
each other by collecting the sample at every other site. This way, workers are in constant
contact. If this cannot be done, employees working on parallel grid lines should be in
regular and frequent radio contact if they are not actually in sight of each other. Site
specific SOPs should be implemented regarding working alone.
Hypothermia: Standing in water for long periods of time can increase the chances of
developing immersion foot or hypothermia during cool weather.
o Dress to stay warm and dry.
o All employees who risk falling into cold water should receive training and
understand the importance of: (1) wearing a personal flotation devise (PFD), (2)
how to work at self rescue, and (3) how to treat a hypothermia victim.
Hyperthermia: When working in very warm climates, try to work in shade, use sunscreen
and keep hydrated. Create your own shade, if necessary. Take special care of your feet
to prevent fungal diseases, which are common when feet are wet for long periods of time.
Transportation: Some surveys may require access by helicopter or boat.
 o Aircraft: Choose drop off locations carefully when using helicopter support. The
water may be deeper, swifter, and/or colder than anticipated. A helicopter should
never depart before the survey crew members are safely on shore when the
landing site is a bar or an island. Check for the presence of bears before landing,
if appropriate. Carry survival equipment in case the transportation cannot return
as planned. Follow SOPs and guidelines in chapter 16 Aircraft.
o Boats: Use appropriate sized boats for the task when working on rivers and
streams, lakes or oceans. Follow safe boating procedures and guidelines.
 Wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) when working on
water. Due to “cold shock”, wearing a PFD is your most important means
of defence against drowning and cold water immersion hypothermia.
 Line (haul) boats, canoes and rafts through rapids.
 Be especially careful to avoid sweepers (trees fallen into a river). If a raft
flips against a sweeper, it is almost impossible to rescue the occupants if
they are thrown into the water.
Stream crossings: Plan surveys to avoid crossing streams, especially where flowing
water is deeper than mid-calf.
o If stream crossings are absolutely necessary, plan them carefully. Carry and use
appropriate safety equipment (e.g., rope, PFD). Fast flowing water as deep as
the knees can easily sweep people away if they fall in or slip. Be familiar with
safe methods to cross streams and wear a PFD if there is a chance of falling in.
o Wear a PFD or use a safety belt and line even when working near fast flowing
waters or where banks are steep or slippery.
o Stranding: It is possible to become stranded if stream waters rise suddenly. Carry
sufficient survival gear in case it is necessary to spend a night away from camp.
It is better to remain out overnight than risk a dangerous stream crossing.
o If flash floods are a hazard, seek local knowledge and heed weather forecasts
regarding flood warnings. By studying topographic maps it may be possible to
determine potential emergency exit routes from narrow gorges. Refer to chapter
9, section 9.5 Floods, for additional information and appropriate precautions.
o If sampling in agricultural areas where fences frequently cross streams,
especially near roads, never climb the fence to cross the stream. It is
surprisingly easy to end up tangled upside down with your head submerged with
a resulting high risk of drowning.
o Swampy meandering streams are difficult to work in. Carry a stout stick and extra
socks.
o In some places it is advisable to check with knowledgeable local sources
regarding the possible presence of quicksand.
Health risks: Depending on location, the water you must work in may carry diseases –
whether they are streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, tailings ponds, or surface runoff from
storms, etc.
o Waterborne diseases include but are not limited to: giardiasis, schistosomiasis,
cholera, hookworm, typhoid, leptospirosis and various forms of dysentery. Wear
rubber gloves and avoid touching your face and mouth.
o Insect-borne diseases include: West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever and yellow
fever. In addition there are diseases carried by ticks and various flies (tsetse flies,
sand flies).
 o Foot disorders: Usually, feet will be wet for long periods of time. Depending on
the climate, feet may be subject to immersion foot if they are continuously cold
and wet or fungal diseases if they are continuously warm and wet. Wear
appropriate boots and change socks frequently. Make sure your feet are dry and
warm at night. Follow good foot hygiene to prevent “foot rot”. Refer to chapter 9,
section 9.9.6 Immersion Foot.
o Tailings ponds may contain toxic chemicals that can cause illnesses.
o Refer to chapter 12, section 12.8.5 and chapter 18, section 18.6.5 for information
regarding specific diseases.
Animal and insect risks:
o Reptiles: Know what snakes live in the region and the relative risks from them.
Most are harmless and should not be destroyed due to personal fears. Learn
about their habitat, where, and when to expect them. Most snakes swim when
necessary and water is the preferred habitat of some snakes (e.g., water
moccasins, water cobras, anacondas). Some present more risk than others,
especially if the species is aggressive or temperamental (water moccasins,
anacondas). Crocodiles: Follow safe guidelines where crocodiles pose a danger
to humans.
o Insects: Increased numbers of mosquitoes are usually present near water. Some
insects such as blackflies that transmit river blindness (onchocerciasis) may be
found almost exclusively near water.
o Leeches: Depending on the location, they may be a potential problem, as
infections may develop where they have pierced the skin.
o Refer to chapter 10 Wildlife for additional information.
Clothing and PPE: Protect your body from cold water and infections.
o Wear appropriate boots – rubber boots are a minimum. Depending on the water
depth, it may be appropriate to wear hip waders, but be aware of the risks of
wearing high waders and falling into swift flowing water. If they fill with air it may
be impossible to right yourself, which increases the risk of drowning.
o Gloves: Heavy waterproof rubber gloves are recommended. Check frequently for
pinhole leaks and replace them immediately when they leak, especially if
waterborne diseases are a risk.
o Carry extra socks and/or dry inserts for boots when your feet are frequently
immersed in water. Use inserts on alternate days so they dry out.
o Waterproof clothing or rain gear: Carry good rain gear to help stay dry. Refer to
section 6.3.5 Clothing in chapter 6 for tips regarding appropriate fabrics and
clothing.
 Figure 11.3: Stream sampling © Erika Tamboline

11.1 Line Cutting Safety

Cut line or picket grids are used for control for some geophysical and geochemical surveys. A cut
line or picket grid is normally established from a base line with a series of cross lines spaced at
specific intervals. Base lines may be surveyed in or laid out on a specific compass bearing. Cross
lines are normally established perpendicular to the base line and tie lines are sometimes used to
ensure greater accuracy of the grid. Lines are usually cut using axes or machetes and chainsaws.
In areas with no forest, picket stakes can be used to mark a survey grid. Crews that cut lines
should work as a team and not alone. As their work often requires felling large trees, it is
imperative to watch out for the safety of co-workers. Workers should follow written safe operating
procedures (SOPs) for falling and bucking, as required by the authorities having jurisdiction
(AHJs).
The type of work involving chainsaws and cutting grid lines is often given to employees or
contractors who are local to the project area – for example, Aboriginal people. Such employees or
contractors may be familiar with chainsaws but not in the industrial setting and not with strict
health and safety considerations. Companies and project managers need to develop education
systems to educate such local employees on safe practices, rather than assume that because
they have used chainsaws in their everyday life that they do so safely. Given the high level of
comfort of local people with the bush or field environment, an appreciation of their bush skills, as
well as safety requirements of the workplace, need to be handled with sensitivity.
Use of geophysical equipment with built in GPS (Global Positioning System) units are reducing
the requirement for cut lines, especially for surveys that use magnetometers, etc. Soil
geochemistry surveys require fewer cut lines when surveyors carry handheld GPS units. Where
no cut lines are used, technical survey crews should exercise greater care when travelling across
the ground. The preferred approach to geophysical and geochemical surveys is one that avoids
line cutting, where possible. This is largely for environmental reasons. For the same reason, it is
also preferable to minimize the width of cut lines and minimize felling of larger trees. The
objective should be to make the line sufficiently safe for the technical crew that will follow, but at
the same time maximize the chance for the native vegetation to recover and reclaim the land.

Chapter 5 Field Equipment Safety contains information regarding the safe use of implements and
equipment commonly used for field work. Please refer to section 5.6 Chainsaws in chapter 5 for
details regarding chainsaw, tree felling, bucking and limbing safety. This information is placed in
section 5.6 because working with chainsaws and tree felling is also done by company employees
at project and camp sites.

Specific Risks and Hazards Associated with Line Cutting

Line cutting is frequently done during winter months which can increase risks and hazards. Risks
and hazards include but are not limited to:
Severe injuries or death due to:
o Chainsaw accidents (often due to kickback), which may result in cuts,
lacerations, or amputations
o Being hit by falling trees or bucked sections of logs
o Inability to correctly assess trees before cutting due to poor visibility (wind, fog,
rain, snow)
Slips, trips and falls due to:
o Rough or unstable ground
o Dangerous terrain such as cliffs, swamps, steep slopes
o Ice and snow-covered ground
o Inadequate footwear
o Unstable body position while cutting trees or clearing brush
Back strains and injuries due to working in awkward body positions while cutting
Cuts, blisters, lacerations from using hand tools
Transportation accidents due to:
o Excessive speed while travelling by vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, or boats
o Inadequate training for the mode of transportation
o Using an inappropriate mode of transportation for the terrain or ground conditions
Hypothermia, frostbite may develop due to exposure to cold temperatures, the effects of
wind chill, dehydration, exhaustion, and/or wearing inadequate clothing, .
Wildlife and insect risks include attacks from large animals such as bears and cougars,
and bites and stings from snakes, insects, and scorpions etc.
Water-related risks include drowning and cold water immersion hypothermia due to falling
into water, attempting dangerous stream crossings, breaking through ice

Preventions and Preparations for Cutting Lines

Line cutting crews should be familiar with the relevant safety routines, guidelines and tips found in
sections 11.1.1 and 11.1.2 and general safe field practices refer to Chapter 6 Safe Traversing
Practices.
Survey crews should follow essential pre-job tool and equipment checks before departing
for work each day. Properly maintained tools help prevent accidents.
Line cutters should not work alone. A “cutter” and a “brusher” are a team. They should
travel to and from the work site together and should always be within visual and shouting
distance of each other during line cutting operations.
Training: Employees should be trained to use surveying, cutting, and clearing tools
properly and maintain them in good condition. Use appropriate sheaths to store and
transport axes, machetes, knifes, brush hooks and other sharp tools. This can prevent
injuries when the tools are carried by hand. Refer to Chapter 5 Field Equipment Safety
regarding specific tools.
PPE: Line cutters must wear additional PPE due to specific risks and hazards associate
with chainsaws and felling trees.
o In addition to safety glasses, line cutters should wear high visibility hard hats with
ear defenders (ear muffs) and a face shield, high visibility vests, gloves, steel
toed boots or caulked boots. Caulks (replaceable steel spikes screwed into the
soles of special boots) offer much better traction than ordinary soles when
working in wet forests or other slippery conditions. Caulk boots may be made of
leather or rubber.
o Chainsaw operators should wear chainsaw pants or chaps, which are designed
to slow the cutting action of the blade should the chainsaw kickback or slip and
hit the operator in the leg. They should cover as much of the leg as possible but
not impede movement.
Line cutting crews need to know the purpose for cutting the lines in order to use the
proper survey standards. Some surveys have different clearance width requirements. For
example: electrical survey methods require thorough clearing to avoid wire and
equipment hang ups, while some lines may only need minimal clearing and blazes on
trees to be acceptable.
Location: Employees working on established cut lines or picket grids should understand
the layout of the grid and its orientation to keep track of their location. If the grid is
accessed by a trail, whether on foot, by ATV, snowmobile or other means, all persons
working on the grid should know the grid coordinates where the access trail enters the
grid so they can return to the access trail at the end of the day. Mark the access trail to
the grid clearly with flagging tape, cairns or other means.
Marking coordinates: Carefully mark both the base line and the tie line coordinates. Use
the appropriate method to mark the survey coordinates of each station, which may be
with pickets, tags, flagging tape and/or tree blazes. Prepare a plan map showing the grid
and coordinates. It is not advisable to use fire to burn lines even though it may be
common practice in some localities.
Cut off saplings, trees and stumps at ground level to avoid creating stubs or “pungies”
that become a tripping or impaling hazard. Trim overhead vegetation to reduce the
hazard of protruding branches, which may cause eye injuries. Stubs can cause tire
damage to equipment such as ATVs. At the same time, try to leave as much as possible
of the root systems of the plants, as that way the recovery will be maximised.
Brushers and other crew members must stay at least two tree lengths away during falling
operations. The cutter must check the area and not begin cutting until everyone is out of
range. Keep onlookers away from the cutting site and work areas.
Firearms: Where bears are a hazard and it is deemed necessary to carry a firearm, the
persons who have permission to carry and use firearms must have all required training