Field-Specific Skills

In order to make accurate risk assessments, you need specific knowledge about specific hazards. For instance, if you don’t understand what causes an avalanche, you can’t possibly accurately decide when, where, and how to safely travel on steep snow. Get the training you need in the specific skill areas where you’ll need to do risk assessment. Even a little training can go a long way toward making more accurate assessments and performing safer actions in the field. Many UC’s have specific training opportunities (i.e. scientific diving, boating, UCSC Outdoor Recreation, and UCSC Experiential Leadership Program) You should consult with your EHS department for work at heights or with powered equipment, including chainsaws, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc. Contact your campus EHS department or Sara Souza through UCB EHS for the latest list of safety guidelines and training workshops. There are also many non-UC organizations that teach specific outdoor skills safety. Check out www.nols.edu and the annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference.