Safety Procedures

Overview#

Surveying is inherently field work, and field work carries risk. Surveyors work in active traffic, on construction sites, in remote terrain, near underground utilities, and in weather extremes. The profession's safety record has improved significantly with better training and equipment, but complacency remains the greatest hazard. Every surveyor shares responsibility for returning home safely at the end of every day.

Safety is not optional and it is not secondary to production. A crew that takes shortcuts on safety will eventually pay a price far greater than the time saved. This guide covers the essential safety procedures and standards that apply to professional land surveying fieldwork.

"No survey measurement, no matter how critical, is worth a human life or serious injury. Safety is the first operation of every field day and the last consideration before every task." -- National Society of Professional Surveyors, Field Safety Guidelines

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)#

Minimum PPE for Field Surveying

The following PPE should be worn on every field assignment unless site-specific conditions require additional protection:

Site-Specific PPE

Different work environments may require additional protection:

• Bridge and overwater work: Personal flotation device (PFD), fall protection harness.
• Confined spaces (manholes, vaults): Gas detector, retrieval harness, ventilation. Never enter a confined space without proper training and permits.
• Hazardous material sites: Appropriate respiratory protection and Tyvek coveralls per the site safety plan. This typically requires HAZWOPER training (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120).
• Railroad right-of-way: Railroad-specific PPE and safety training, including flagging and blue-flag protection.

PPE is the last line of defense, not the first. Eliminate the hazard if possible; control exposure through engineering and administrative controls; use PPE to protect against residual risk.

Traffic Control#

MUTCD Requirements

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) governs traffic control for all work on or near public roadways in the United States. Surveyors working in or adjacent to traveled lanes must implement appropriate traffic control measures.

Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) Zones

A standard TTC zone consists of four areas:

1. Advance warning area -- Signs alert approaching traffic that work is ahead.
2. Transition area -- Channelizing devices (cones, barrels) guide traffic around the work area.
3. Activity area -- The space where the survey crew is working.
4. Termination area -- Marks the end of the work zone and return to normal traffic flow.

Sign Placement Guidelines

Common signs used by survey crews:

• W21-1a: "SURVEY CREW" (diamond warning sign)
• W20-1: "ROAD WORK AHEAD"
• C-24 (CA specific): "SURVEY PARTY AHEAD"

Channelizing Devices

• Traffic cones (28" or 36") for short-duration work (< 1 hour) on low-speed roads.
• Tubular delineators for longer-duration work or higher speeds.
• Barricades and drums for extended operations or lane closures.
• Minimum spacing between devices: 20--40 ft on tangent sections; closer on curves.

Flagger Procedures

When a lane must be temporarily occupied and traffic must be alternated, a trained flagger is required:

• Flaggers must be trained in proper procedures (minimum: ATSSA or state-equivalent certification).
• Flaggers must wear Class 3 high-visibility safety apparel.
• Use a STOP/SLOW paddle (minimum 18" diameter) -- not a flag, unless a paddle is unavailable.
• Position the flagger upstream of the work area, visible to approaching traffic from a distance that allows safe stopping.
• Flaggers must face approaching traffic and have an escape route.
• Never use a crew member who is simultaneously operating survey equipment as a flagger.

Surveying in traffic is the single greatest source of fatalities in the surveying profession. Never become so focused on the instrument that you lose awareness of traffic. Designate a crew member as a traffic spotter when working near active lanes without full traffic control.

Utility Awareness#

Call Before You Dig (811)

Before any subsurface work -- driving stakes, pounding hubs, hand-augering for monument search -- contact the 811 system (or state equivalent) to request utility locates. This is both a safety imperative and a legal requirement in all 50 states.

• Timing: Request locates at least 48--72 hours before planned work (varies by state).
• Marking: Utilities are marked with paint and/or flags using the APWA Uniform Color Code.
• Tolerance zone: The marked location is approximate (typically $\pm 18"$ to $\pm 24"$). Use hand tools (no power excavation) within the tolerance zone.

APWA Uniform Color Code

Underground Utility Hazards

• Electrical contact with buried power lines is immediately life-threatening. High-voltage lines may be buried at shallow depths, especially in older areas or after erosion.
• Gas line puncture can cause explosions and fire. If you smell gas or hit a gas line, evacuate the area immediately and call 911 and the gas company.
• Fiber optic cables carry no hazardous energy but are extremely expensive to repair and critical to infrastructure. Damage liability can be enormous.
• Unmarked utilities -- The 811 system only covers member utilities. Private lines (irrigation, private electrical, septic) are not located. Ask the property owner about private utilities.

Never assume that the absence of utility markings means the absence of utilities. Historical records, visible surface indicators (valve boxes, meter pedestals, patches), and ground-penetrating radar provide additional information.

Weather Hazards#

Lightning

Lightning is one of the most dangerous weather hazards for surveyors because the work often involves open terrain, metal equipment, and elevated positions.

• The 30-30 Rule: If the time between a lightning flash and the thunder is less than 30 seconds, seek shelter immediately. Do not resume work until 30 minutes after the last observed lightning or thunder.
• Where to shelter: A fully enclosed building or a hard-topped vehicle with windows closed. Avoid isolated trees, open structures (gazebos, pavilions), and hilltops.
• What to do if caught in the open: Put down all metal equipment (tripods, rods, prisms). Move to the lowest nearby terrain. Crouch with feet together -- do not lie flat.
• Survey rods and prism poles are effectively lightning rods when held upright in open terrain.

Heat Illness

Surveyors working in hot conditions are at risk for heat-related illness, ranging from heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke.

Prevention:

• Drink water continuously (minimum 1 quart/liter per hour in hot conditions).
• Take regular shade breaks (15 minutes per hour in extreme heat).
• Acclimatize gradually -- new or returning workers need 7--14 days to fully acclimatize.
• Work the hardest tasks during the coolest part of the day.
• Monitor crew members for early symptoms.

Cold Exposure

Cold weather poses risks of hypothermia and frostbite, especially during extended static setups (GNSS observation, level runs) when physical activity is minimal.

• Dress in layers (moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid layer, wind/water-resistant outer layer).
• Protect extremities (insulated gloves, warm hat, face protection below 0 degrees F / -18 degrees C).
• Recognize early signs of hypothermia: shivering, confusion, slurred speech, drowsiness.
• Carry emergency blankets and hand warmers in the field vehicle.
• Metal instrument parts can cause instant frostbite in extreme cold. Wear gloves when handling equipment.

Work Zone Safety#

Construction Site Protocols

When working on active construction sites:

• Check in with the site superintendent or safety officer upon arrival.
• Attend the site safety orientation if required.
• Follow all posted safety rules (speed limits, restricted areas, PPE requirements).
• Maintain awareness of heavy equipment operations. Establish eye contact with operators before entering their work area.
• Never walk or stand under suspended loads.
• Stay clear of swing radius of excavators and cranes.
• Use radios or hand signals to communicate with equipment operators.
• Mark survey points with clearly visible stakes, flagging, and paint so that equipment operators can see and avoid them.

Excavation Safety

If surveying in or near excavations (trenches, pits, foundations):

• Trenches deeper than 5 feet (1.5 m) require shoring, sloping, or a trench box per OSHA 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P.
• Never enter an unprotected trench. Take readings from the surface using reflectorless EDM or by extending the prism on a pole.
• Be aware of spoil piles -- they must be set back at least 2 feet (0.6 m) from the edge of the excavation.
• Watch for undermined edges, water seepage, and cracking soil near the trench edge.

Wildlife and Terrain Hazards#

Biological Hazards

• Venomous snakes -- Common in rural and suburban surveys. Watch where you step and place your hands. Wear snake-resistant gaiters in high-risk areas. Know the local species and their habitats.
• Ticks -- Carry Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other pathogens. Use DEET or permethrin-treated clothing. Perform tick checks after fieldwork. Shower within two hours of returning from the field.
• Poison ivy/oak/sumac -- Learn to identify the plants in your work area. Wear long sleeves and pants. Wash exposed skin with specialized cleanser (e.g., Tecnu) as soon as possible after contact.
• Stinging insects (bees, wasps, hornets) -- Carry an epinephrine auto-injector if any crew member has a known allergy. Be alert when approaching old monuments that may have nests nearby.
• Aggressive animals -- Dogs are the most common animal threat to surveyors on private property. Carry deterrent spray. Never corner or provoke an animal.

Terrain Hazards

• Steep slopes -- Use proper footwear with ankle support. Test footing before committing weight. Use walking sticks on steep terrain.
• Water crossings -- Never wade into water with unknown depth or current. Wear a PFD near deep water.
• Unstable ground -- Wetlands, fill areas, and recent excavations may not support a person's weight. Probe ahead with a rod.
• Remote areas -- Carry adequate water, food, first aid supplies, and communication equipment. File a field plan with the office that includes expected location and return time.

Vehicle Safety#

• Use proper vehicle markings: amber strobe lights, high-visibility magnetic signs, reflective striping.
• Park in a way that protects the crew from approaching traffic -- use the vehicle as a shield when appropriate.
• Never park in a live traffic lane without proper traffic control.
• Secure all equipment in the vehicle before driving. Loose tripods and rods become projectiles in a sudden stop.
• Perform a walk-around check before backing up. Survey vehicles are often loaded with equipment that blocks rear visibility.

Lone Worker Protocols#

Surveyors frequently work alone, especially with robotic total stations and GNSS. Lone worker safety requires additional precautions:

• Communication check-in -- Establish a schedule for contacting the office (e.g., every 2 hours). If a check-in is missed, the office initiates a welfare check.
• GPS tracking -- Many companies issue tracking-enabled phones or dedicated devices that allow the office to locate a lone worker.
• Emergency plan -- Carry a charged cell phone, a first aid kit, and know the nearest medical facility. In areas without cell service, carry a satellite communicator (e.g., Garmin inReach, SPOT).
• Avoid high-risk tasks alone -- Do not enter confined spaces, work at heights, or work in heavy traffic without a second person present.
• Tell someone your plan -- Leave a detailed itinerary (where, when, expected return) with the office and a trusted contact.

OSHA Relevant Standards#

The following OSHA standards are most relevant to land surveying operations:

Employer responsibility: Under OSHA's General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act), employers must provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious harm. This applies even when no specific OSHA standard covers the hazard.

Key Takeaways#

• PPE is mandatory, not optional. High-visibility clothing, safety glasses, hard hats (on construction sites), and safety-toe boots are the minimum standard for every field day.
• Traffic control must comply with the MUTCD. Surveying in traffic is the leading cause of fatalities in the profession. Never compromise on traffic safety.
• Call 811 before any subsurface work. Utility strikes can be fatal and carry enormous liability.
• Weather awareness is a daily responsibility. Monitor conditions, know the signs of lightning risk and heat illness, and stop work when conditions are unsafe.
• Construction site safety requires coordination with the site team, awareness of heavy equipment, and compliance with site-specific rules.
• Lone workers must have communication protocols, check-in schedules, and emergency plans.
• Document everything. Safety incidents, near misses, and daily safety briefings should all be recorded. Documentation protects both the crew and the company.
• Safety is a habit, not an event. The most dangerous moment is when a task becomes routine and the crew stops thinking about the hazards.

References#

1. Federal Highway Administration. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). U.S. DOT, 2009 (with revisions). Part 6 -- Temporary Traffic Control.
2. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA Standards for the Construction Industry. 29 CFR 1926.
3. National Society of Professional Surveyors. Surveying Field Safety Guidelines. NSPS, 2019.
4. American Public Works Association. Uniform Color Code for Temporary Marking of Underground Utilities. APWA, 1999.
5. American Traffic Safety Services Association. Flagger Training Manual. ATSSA.
6. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Heat and Hot Environments. NIOSH Publication 2016-106, 2016.
7. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Excavation Standards. 29 CFR 1926, Subpart P.