Undergraduate Employee Safety Policy

Standard Operating Procedures

Arnot Forest (revised May 2001)

The intent of this policy is to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for undergraduate interns, technicians, and assistants who work at the Arnot Teaching and Research Forest. Graduate students and other employees are encouraged to use similarly safe practices. The Arnot Forest director, manager, or project leader will provide a copy of this policy to all undergraduates who work at the Arnot Forest and each undergraduate is expected to familiarize themselves with the policies. Students should contact the director or manager if they have any questions. Safety is an utmost concern and is the number one priority for any project.

Specific Undergraduate Safety Policies

1. Undergraduate workers are expected to read and follow these policies, comply with general Arnot Forest policies, and inform the director or manager if they experience or foresee any potential safety issues. A well-designed project includes safety as a top priority through the use of due diligence and common sense. These and other Arnot Forest policies are available from the director, manager, or the Arnot Forest web page <www.dnr.cornell.edu/arnot>

2. Undergraduate workers are expected to work as a team so that someone is always aware of when you leave for and return from the field. Team members should remain alert for undergraduates who do not return from the field or who don't arrive at a rendezvous point when expected. When in doubt, immediately make direct contact with the director or manager. At no point should an undergraduate worker be in the field without notifying someone else and recording their plans on the shop's schedule board and map. If no one is available, notify the director's residence when you enter and leave the field.

3. Each undergraduate worker is expected to: sign out and sign in from the shop's scheduling board when leaving and returning from the field; record approximate return or rendezvous times and location; indicate their approximate location (or starting point) on the shop's map; carry a pack that includes a compass*, laminated topographic map*, water bottle, whistle*, and two-way radio*; be familiar with the use of each item or seek instruction. Two-way radios have a remote beeper that permits location only if the radio is turned-on. Hard hats are strongly encouraged when working in the woods and are available upon request. (* items will be provided to intern/technician program participants by the Arnot Forest and should be returned at the end of the season)

4. An Arnot Forest vehicle will be available for official undergraduate intern/technician program participants having CALS vehicle clearance for activities on the forest property. Undergraduates will be expected to coordinate their schedules and accommodate others who also use the vehicle. Arnot vehicles are not authorized for student use off the property for any purpose or at any time unless specifically indicated by the director or manager (expect for travel from the north gate to camp via VanKirk Rd.). Use of personal vehicles on the Arnot is strongly discouraged and any damage to personal vehicles is the owner's responsibility.

5. All undergraduates who use equipment or compounds (e.g., chain saws, pesticides, other chemicals) that represent a risk to personal or environmental health and safety are expected to follow all state and federal laws and to notify in writing the Arnot Director or Manager prior to the occasion of use. This might include a calendar of applications, but notification is required for all projects and subject to the Director’s approval.

6. Some projects will require students to use power equipment (e.g., chain saws, brush saws, rototillers, etc.) other potentially dangerous equipment (e.g., electric fences, climbing ladders) or handle live vertebrates. Project leaders are expected to provide adequate training and students are expected to learn and use safe and humane procedures. If there are any questions on safe operations, students or project leaders should contact the director or manager.

7. When working in remote areas, at night, or on potentially dangerous tasks, undergraduate workers are expected to involve another person to avoid situations where an accident might go undetected. There have been no incidents at the Arnot Forest, but students are advised of the presence of black bears, cougars, and the general accessibility to the property by the public for day use. While large predators are very uncommon and the general public typically stays on the roads, you should avoid situations that might result in risk to personal safety.

8. Contact information for safety issues:

· Arnot Director, Peter J. Smallidge: 589 - 4277 (office), 589 - 7530 (Arnot Director's residence)

· Arnot Manager, Donald Schaufler: 589 – 6076/6095 (shop, library) 589 - 6876 (home)