Safety & well-being instructions for field work – Malaysian Primatological Society

Safety & well-being instructions for field work

By Ethan Pang

A number of things should be noted by the field assistant for one’s safety and well-being, due to the fact that field trips will be conducted in various types of forests, where wildlife encounters are a possibility.

General Forest Rules

1. Follow the instructions given by the team leaders.
2. All team members should stick together during hikes and at least 2 persons shall sit at a listening post.
3. Do not separate from the group unless you are accompanied by another team member. If being alone is necessarily (i.e. toilet break), you must inform another team member.
4. If you are separated from the group in the forest, without walkie-talkie in your hands, nor phone reception, you can shout “wooohooo” to get the attention of other team members. Do not call them by name. Make sure everybody is aware of this kind of calling.
5. Do not litter in the forest – all rubbish is to be kept and discarded later (when back at the field station/ village).
6. Do not remove any forest products: rattan, herbal plants, fruits, minerals, animal products.
7. Do not attempt to poach (shoot, snare, poison, etc), use dynamite, or breakup any land for cultivation or any other purpose.
8. Do not cut, mark, ring or tap any tree.
9. Wear a life jacket while travelling on boat.
10. Be aware of possible fast currents when swimming in a forest rivers, or depth of a lake.
11. Do not use soap, toothpaste or any foam-producing agents that pollutes the river. Use environmental-friendly (non-foaming) alternatives.

For more info, click this link: Environmental-Legislation-for-Forestry-Protection

General Well Being Instructions

1. Always boil the river water before consumption – do not drink untreated water (to prevent Leptospirosis or food poisoning).
2. Keep the door of the tent closed when unattended to prevent animals from entering.
3. Keep the air vent on the roof of the tent covered when unattended for long periods of time.
4. Avoid bringing foods that need oil to be cooked – this creates less hassle when it comes to cleaning.
5. Use the toilet or bury human waste on land, not in the river.

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