1 Safety Regulations for Work and Residence At
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20170627 SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR WORK AND RESIDENCE AT TARFALA RESEARCH STATION 2017 Introduction 2 Accidents and illness 3 Fire 3 Radio 4 Helicopter 5 Snowmobile 6 Laboratory 6 Workshop 7 Kitchen 8 Fieldwork-Excursions-Leisure trips 9 Glacier 9 Flowing water 12 Lake – summer 13 Lake – winter 14 1 20170627 INTRODUCTION We want all staff and visitors to Tarfala Research Station to have the opportunity to get to know the fantastic surroundings of Tarfala in a safe and secure way. Tarfala’s location in a high alpine setting far (25 km) from the nearest road imposes particular requirements when it comes to safety during work in the field and at the station. There may be a long delay before we can get help out in the field or for any injured person to get medical assistance. We sometimes work long days on glaciers, and we measure and collect samples from lakes, watercourses and ecosystems. We move around in harsh terrain on foot, on skis, or using a snowmobile, boat or helicopter. Glaciers are dynamic and the conditions change quickly, which means that previously “safe” routes may today be dangerous, due to the formation of new crevasses and moulins. Watercourses change course and nature when glaciers melt, and the rate of flow is governed by changing melt and precipitation conditions. Avalanches can occur in unexpected locations, and the mountainsides can become more unstable when the ice melts, increasing the risk of landslides. We have a low tolerance level when it comes to taking risks, so the overall ability to cope with various risks must be high during all work operations. This overall ability consists of: experience, knowledge, material/equipment, communication (by means of radio/telephony), medical equipment, provisions, protection, endurance and time. Changeable weather conditions can rapidly change conditions out in the field, so assessment of risks must therefore be a constant part of the work. The station leader (the director or superintendent) has the task of assessing the general safety situation prior to planning various field operations and work at the station. Before your visit to Tarfala you must read through and accept these safety regulations. These specify the basic safety framework. Due to rapidly changing conditions in the field it is impossible to regulate all work operations in detail. This means that you, as staff member or visitor, need to perform your own risk assessments. Our travel plans will be useful for this. If there is any work operation you feel unsure about, please tell the station leader (director or superintendent). Tarfala Research Station location SWEREF99 TM N 7537394 E 651402 2 20170627 ACCIDENTS & ILLNESS Alarm procedure in the event of a serious accident Call 112 Explain clearly what happened and the location of the injured person Inform the station leader (who has First Aid skills) Answer the telephone and radio Tarfala’s telephone line/radio connection may not be blocked by anyone else without due cause Keep a log of all incidents Equipment First Aid equipment is available in the Kitchen, the ‘Forskarhuset’, the Workshop and in the Laboratory Medication for dealing with allergic reactions is available in the Kitchen and in the ‘Forskarhuset’ There is a defibrillator in the entrance to the Mess There is a stretcher and a neck brace in the old sleeping quarter storage Illness Contact healthcare information service 1177 for advice if you and/or the person affected are unsure about symptoms and possible treatment. -------------------- FIRE In general Tarfala’s inaccessible location means that we cannot count on assistance from the fire service. All buildings are equipped with fire alarms and fire extinguishers. The fire extinguishers are positioned just inside the outer doors of the buildings, marked with signs. There are fire blankets in the Kitchen, the Sauna, the Laboratory, the ‘Forskarhuset’ and the Workshop. Naked flames are not permitted in any building except the Mess. Smoking is only permitted out of doors. Never throw cigarette ends on the ground. Fire If you discover a fire, make sure all staff and guests leave the building. Then attempt to put out the fire if this does not entail danger. Inform the station leader Call 112 3 20170627 Evacuation All windows in the dormitory can be opened and count as a potential means of exit. Some windows have a catch on the right side of the frame. Check that you can open the window. Also check regularly that no snowdrift is impeding evacuation via the window. Assembly In the event of a fire which has involved evacuation, everyone must assemble in the Mess to be counted. If the Mess is affected, everyone must assemble in the lecture room. Group leaders are responsible for checking the numbers of their group members. -------------------- RADIO In general Radio units are kept in a charging station in the entrance to the Research Building. They must be signed out and signed in again on return. A communication check must be performed before departure. On return, put the radio back in the charging station, ensuring it is switched off. Channels Tarfala uses two channels, mode 1 (one) and mode 2 (two), on the hand-held radio units. There is information on which channel to use on the noticeboard in the Mess entrance and by the charging station in the Research Building. Mode 1: provides communication via the radio-repeater on Kekkonen Peak, and provides radio coverage throughout the Tarfala valley and across large parts of the Storglaciären. Mode 2: provides direct radio communication between devices. The terrain restricts radio communication to roughly the range of your field of vision. Communication protocol Maintain good radio discipline, focus and keep calls short, and remember that everyone is listening. Only one person can speak at a time. Call Press the transmit button and wait two seconds before you begin speaking. Always start your call with the name of the person you want to contact. Then say your own name, followed by “kom” (“over”). Reply Reply with your name and where you are. If you initiated the conversation, finish the call with “klart slut” (“out”). If you were called up and have nothing more to add, finish with “slut kom” (“out”). -------------------- 4 20170627 HELICOPTER In general The station leader or other appointed staff member directs loading and unloading on the helipad. Always await instructions from the pilot or staff member in charge Always approach the helicopter from the front The red zone is a prohibited area Use hearing protection if you are asked to assist On Tarfala’s helipad Walk to and from the helipad safely via the marked “entrance” to the north of the pad, never under the barrier. If the helicopter is pointing southwards, look for a safe approach from the south/below the pad. Passengers carry their luggage to a specified place near the helipad. Wait there for instructions from the station leader or the pilot as to where to climb in. Suspended load In the event of work involving a load suspended from the helicopter, a helmet, hearing protection and, if available, an aircraft radio for communication with the pilot should be used. It is normally the station leader who performs this task. -------------------- SNOWMOBILE In general Snowmobiling is risky work, and requires training in assessing the risks of using a snowmobile in mountainous terrain. Use Tarfala’s snowmobiles are intended for work purposes only, in connection with research and environmental monitoring. Training requirements/permits All snowmobile drivers must have be licensed to drive snowmobiles in accordance with the Swedish Road Administration’s regulations (B driving licence issued before 1 January 2000, or a separate snowmobile licence). All snowmobile drivers must be given an introduction to Tarfala’s snowmobiles by an experienced driver. All snowmobile drivers must have the permission of the director to drive a snowmobile within the framework of Tarfala’s operations. An up-to-date written list of all approved snowmobile drivers for Tarfala Research Station is available at the research station, at the Department of Physical Geography, and on Tarfala’s website. (link) 5 20170627 Requirements for protective equipment By law, a safety helmet approved as per ECE 22 must be used. In terrain prone to avalanches, drivers and passengers must carry avalanche transceivers. When travelling over difficult terrain and at speeds above 30km/hour, the snowmobile’s emergency stop cord must be used. We recommend that drivers and passengers use ear plugs. We recommend that drivers and passengers wear suitable clothing and face protection for the weather conditions. Safe driving The distance between snowmobiles must allow visual contact, and thus also radio contact, to be maintained. In particularly difficult terrain, such as in the Tarfala valley, which is prone to avalanches, and where there are steep inclines and narrow passages that reduce visibility and thus the possibility of communication, snowmobiles must wait for one another. For the stretch between the mouth of the Tarfala valley and Tarfala Research Station, in either direction, a travel plan must be decided upon prior to departure. This must include a stop, a review of continued driving and possibly a change of driver, before the relatively difficult sections of Dalkröken, Spelbacken and lower crossing of the Tarfalajokken stream. Solo driving in the Tarfala valley is only permitted in exceptional cases. In all other cases, including stretches along the routes to the Mårmaglaciären, Rabots and Riukojietna glaciers that are difficult due to snow conditions, similar travel plans must be drawn up. Safety equipment When in use, snowmobiles must be equipped with: First Aid equipment, map, avalanche probe, spade, equipment (rope, block/tackle, etc.) for winch/hoisting, engine oil 1l, spare drive belt, tool for changing drive belt, spare spark plug, and hand warmers.