Safety Planning as part of the Alaska Transportable Array Project

Abstract:

The pursuit of geophysical data should not include the high cost of human life or injury. This underlying principle was adopted by IRIS staff, subcontractors, and other team members and emphasized throughout the operation of the Alaska Transportable Array Project. First, senior/lead field staff were selected for their extensive background and experience working in remote and austere environments and second, all personnel undertook significant annual training to manage & minimize risk during the project. At early stages of planning for any field expedition and again in the week prior to launch, the plan is reviewed for thoroughness and to limit the potential for injury. Helicopter, boat, and vehicle based field teams were always made up of at least two members for the purpose of safety and skills redundancy and where possible, field crews were not left onsite without an alternative exit option. Each vehicle was outfitted with extensive equipment for repairs, health and safety (H&S) equipment, and personal communications devices, as well as daily communication protocols, to reduce the potential field and H&S impacts. All staff were empowered with “stop-work” authority if they had concerns about plans and procedures or personal and team safety.

Additionally, an Alaska and Northern Canada specific H&S Plan was generated by the Health and Safety Officer with input from the Deployment Coordinator, Field Operations Managers, and the TA Manager. The Health and Safety Plan was seen as a living document and grew over the duration of the project to include emergency protocol for in field and in office scenarios, COVID-19 considerations, as well as an incident/accident procedure and calling tree. The Health and Safety Officer maintained contacts with the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (ARCC), the Alaska State Troopers - Statewide Dispatch, and other regional search and rescue providers. The presentation will offer insights into generating a project and site by site specific health and safety plan.