Land surveying might look like a routine job, but did you know it’s one of the most high-risk fields? From dodging heavy machinery on construction sites to navigating unpredictable terrains - surveyors have to go through a lot.

It’s not just about measuring land; it’s about staying safe while doing so.

Surveyors often work in challenging environments, ranging from construction sites to remote and undeveloped areas, where safety issues can arise at times.

Whether protecting yourself from wildlife in rural areas or ensuring you don’t slip on uneven terrain, knowing how to handle risks is important.

That’s where effective safety management comes in. By following proper safety protocols, surveyors can minimize the daily risks, ensuring both their protection and the accuracy of their work. In this guide, we'll walk through key safety tips to help land surveyors stay safe while getting the job done right.

Pro Tip: Ever wonder how to spot potential hazards before they become accidents? SafetyIQ's hazard identification software can help you quickly identify risks in even the most challenging environments, keeping your team safe and focused!

Common Hazards in Land Surveying

Safety might not be the first thing that comes to mind when considering land surveying. But the reality is that surveyors face unique safety challenges every day.

Land surveyors face real risks daily, whether working on a construction site or navigating remote, uneven terrain. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,190 fatal workplace injuries in 2021, with construction-related jobs, including land surveying, remaining some of the most hazardous.

This shows how important it is to stay vigilant and follow strict safety protocols while on the job.

What makes land surveying so risky? Let’s look at some of the most common hazards:

1. Remote Locations

Land surveying involves walking long distances and setting up in remote locations where help might not be immediately available if something goes wrong. That’s why having a proper safety plan is important - especially when you're out of reach. When you’re far from civilization, being prepared for anything is crucial. To ensure your safety, SafetyIQ’s lone worker management software can monitor your location in real time and provide automatic check-ins, making sure you're never completely out of reach when something goes wrong.

2. Wildlife Encounters

Surveying in undeveloped areas can put you in contact with dangerous wildlife. From snakes to larger animals, these encounters can be risky if you’re not trained to handle them. Knowing how to react and protect yourself is just as important as any other safety precaution you take.

3. Varied Terrain

Land surveying often means navigating all kinds of uneven terrain—mountains, forests, slippery surfaces, you name it.

Hazards like rocks, cliffs, and steep inclines can lead to trips, slips, or falls. Surveyors must stay alert and tread carefully to avoid accidents in these unpredictable environments.

4. Weather Conditions

Mother Nature isn’t always on your side. Rain, snow, and other harsh weather conditions can make surveying dangerous. Slippery ground, getting equipment stuck in deep snow, or even visibility issues can all turn a routine survey into a risky situation.

Working outdoors in hot environments can be particularly dangerous for land surveyors. According to OSHA, 50% to 70% of outdoor fatalities occur from exposure to warm or hot weather. Staying aware of the weather and preparing accordingly is key to staying safe on the job.

Mitigation Measures

After identifying potential hazards, the next thing to do is learn how to tackle them. This means taking the right precautions before entering the field so these hazards don't become a severe problem.

For example, if you're working on uneven terrain, walking carefully and using proper footwear can help you avoid slips and falls. Otherwise, you might end up hurting yourself or even damaging your gear!

Here are some tips that can help you mitigate these challenges:

• Stay alert in remote locations with a reliable communication device in case of emergencies. Let someone know where you'll be and check in regularly.
• Learn about the wildlife in the area and know how to react. Carry essentials like a whistle or bear spray if necessary.
• Wear sturdy boots with good grip, and always assess your path for potential tripping hazards like rocks or steep inclines before moving forward.
• Check weather forecasts before heading out. Pack weather-appropriate gear such as rain jackets or snow boots.
• Use proper Personal Protective Equipment like safety gloves and other protective gear.

Prioritizing safety culture and following safety procedures can help avoid accidents before they happen!

Safety Regulations and Standards

When it comes to land surveying, there’s a lot more to it than just measuring boundary lines. You have to follow certain safety standards to keep everyone on the project safe.

OSHA sets specific standards that land surveyors must follow to reduce hazards. These include requirements for wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) like safety glasses, helmets, and visibility vests.

Additionally, OSHA mandates regular hazard identification and risk assessments to ensure safe working conditions on-site, particularly when working in hazardous environments like construction sites or remote locations.

Following OSHA’s guidelines also improves a company’s reputation, showing clients that safety is a priority. By sticking to these regulations, companies can avoid fines, prevent injuries, and keep their safety record clean. Plus, it’s a good look when clients see you're serious about safety.

For more detailed safety guidance, check out this survey safety handbook, which provides helpful information on how to stay safe while surveying.

Best Practices for Compliance

Developing a culture of compliance is key to maintaining safety on-site. By prioritizing compliance, companies not only avoid fines but also create a safer environment for workers.

A compliance culture helps implement safety regulations to protect surveyors from harm while they work under different conditions.

For example, working in environments such as geophysical surveying or exploration, you might get back strains and injuries from carrying heavy survey equipment or improper lifting techniques.

A helpful resource for this is the Surveying Health and Safety Toolkit, which provides detailed instructions on managing safety in such high-risk areas.

Let's go through some of the best compliance practices together:

• Conduct Regular Inspections and audits to identify any gaps in safety measures.
• Maintain a detailed log of hazards and actions to improve land surveying safety.
• Wear safety glasses, visibility vests, protective footwear, and other safety gear.
• Train regularly to stay up-to-date on safety protocols and hazard identification.
• Conduct a thorough risk assessment before starting work at a new place
• Stick to OSHA regulations and local standards to avoid penalties.
• Communicate safety protocols clearly with all team members

For more insights on strong compliance management, follow these 6 essential tips to develop a compliance culture.

Safety Management Software

Managing land surveying safety can become overwhelming, especially when multiple sites and teams are involved.

But why deal with all the hassle of tracking safety protocols manually when SafetyIQ can do it for you? Our safety management software helps simplify your safety processes, making it easier to protect your workers and meet industry standards.

Picture this: you’re out in the field, dealing with complex terrain and extreme weather, but with SafetyIQ, you can monitor everything in real time. Need to log a potential hazard? Done. Want to keep track of risk assessments? Easy.

This software makes compliance easier and helps you manage emergency plans. Track training and ensure everyone is taking the right safety precautions—all while you’re focused on the job at hand.

Here’s more of how SafetyIQ helps land surveyors:

• Journey Management: SafetyIQ helps monitor and plan the safest routes for surveyors working in remote areas, ensuring they stay on track and get help when needed.
• Incident Reporting: If something goes wrong on the job, SafetyIQ allows you to report incidents on time. This helps teams act quickly and prevent future accidents.
• Training Tracking: SafetyIQ ensures all surveyors are up-to-date with the necessary training, reducing the risk of accidents related to inadequate preparation.

Emergency Preparedness

As simple as it gets, working in remote locations comes with its fair share of risks. Emergencies can happen anytime - extreme weather, equipment failure, or even medical issues.

This is why having a proper emergency response plan can be a lifesaver - literally.

Imagine you’re out on a piece of land, far from help, and something goes wrong. You encounter a large bear approaching you, or your fellow worker has sprained their foot.

Situations like these can cause workers to panic and lose confidence. That’s why you need a clear plan so everyone on the crew knows exactly what to do.

Here are some tips to stay prepared:

• Assess the area: Before heading out, evaluate the potential hazards like harsh weather or wildlife.
• Set up clear communication: Ensure that every team member knows how to reach emergency services quickly; using duress buttons or GPS-enabled emergency response systems can be a lifesaver when cell signals fail.
• Equip for the worst: Always have a first-aid kit, emergency supplies, and protective clothing for extreme weather conditions.

However, having a clear emergency response plan should be your top priority. You need an emergency response plan that’s clear and easy to follow.

Some important elements that your plan should include can be:

• Clearly defined emergency roles
• Escape routes and safety exits in the area
• Run drills to practice the plan
• All surveyors should know the emergency procedures
• Guide on how to use emergency gear

Key Takeaways

Land surveying safety should always be a priority, whether you’re mapping boundaries on a construction project or working in a remote location. With the right approach and tools, staying safe becomes much more manageable, no matter the environment.

Whether you are dealing with rough terrain, wildlife, or extreme weather, prioritizing safety protocols can make a real difference. Ensuring safety in land surveying isn’t just about following rules. It’s about creating a safer work environment for everyone.

Now’s the time to step up your safety game. Don’t wait for an accident to happen—take action now! Learn how SafetyIQ can help you manage safety with ease. Start your free trial today and see the impact firsthand!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)