Health and Safety

Whatever is undertaken in the response to oiled wildlife, health and safety of the responders comes first. If the health and safety of people involved in the response cannot be guaranteed in relation to the apparent risks, no activity should be undertaken.

 

Risks to working in a wildlife response

Outdoor (beaches, boats)

·        Hyperthermia
·        Hypothermia
·        Falls – cuts, breaks, concussion, oil contamination
·        Wildlife injuries – bites, cuts and scratches, stab wounds (sharp bills)
·        Serious lacerations and broken bones (from mammals)
·        Disease (zoonoses)
·        Back damage (lifting heavy animals)
·        Toxic fumes – early in incident in confined spaces
·        Falling into sea
·        Sunstroke
 
Handling and rehabilitating wildlife
·        Injuries from wildlife –  bites, cuts and scratches, stab wounds (sharp bills)
·        Serious lacerations and broken bones (from mammals)
·        Disease (zoonoses)
·        Back damage (lifting heavy animals)
·        Chemical spillages and exposure to fumes
·        Allergies
·        Heat stress
·        General slips/trips/falls
·        Injuries from medical equipment (needles, syringes)
·        Electrical injury and thermal burns
 
General
·        Stress
·        Fatigue

 

Precautionary measures

Safe working conditions

Risk assessments need to be made for each part of the operation, resulting in a site safety plan covering each work site.

 

Responder awareness

The safety of individuals is based on an understanding and practice of five basic principles:

  • the maintenance of safe working conditions and procedures;
  • the understanding of occupational health;
  • an understanding of potential hazards of working with oiled wildlife;
  • the wearing of adequate personal protective clothing (ppe);
  • the practice of good personal hygiene.

 

Protective clothing

As a minimum staff should have:

  • Field team: coveralls, rubber boots, hard hats
  • Working with animals: coveralls, gloves, safety glasses
  • Washing animals: waterproof clothing, gloves, safety glasses.