The importance of taking precautions during land surveying projects cannot be disregarded. No matter the type of terrain you are venturing on, you have to be prepared. And if you happen to be working in a particularly unpleasing environment, then taking extra precautions is a must.
Land surveyors are no strangers to hazardous environment surveying and trampling to complex areas. It is simply a part of the job that one needs to prepare for. There are several land surveying best practices that you have to do before venturing out on the field. Today’s topic will cover exactly that.
What are Land Surveying Best Practices For Hazardous Environments?
No matter the land surveying techniques you are about to implement, several precautionary measures first need to be conducted.
- Assess the risk: Hazard identification in surveying is what you usually start with. It includes identifying risks that involve weather, wildlife, terrain, pollution, and traffic, and then evaluating their likelihood of safety. Don’t forget about some legal implications that involve surveying public property, conflict zones, or indigenous lands. After conducting a thorough risk assessment, surveyors create a plan that mitigates all of the factors within an area.
- Pick the correct method: The land surveying techniques that you will be using will largely depend on the type of project but also the conditions of the environment. For instance, traditional methods work better in areas with a poor GPS signal, while modern methods need added power, calibration, and maintenance.
- Quality control: This way you will ensure the reliability and accuracy of the collected data. By checking measurements, procedures, and calculations thoroughly you make sure that everything is done correctly. A good land surveying tip should be to do blunder detection, redundancy, or error analysis to avoid any inconsistencies in the gathered data.
- Communicate effectively: Communicating with your colleagues is essential when surveying complex terrain. You have to communicate clearly and effectively, both on and off the field. Be sure to follow the communication protocols and use such tools as phones, radios, and various other online platforms.
- Learn from experience: Mastering certain hazardous terrain surveying techniques directly in the field will allow you to get the much-needed experience that you can then transfer to other similar kinds of situations. Surveyors usually learn from feedback, mistakes, or land surveying best practices from other more experienced colleagues.
Understanding Risks and Training in Land Surveying
You wouldn’t know it unless you are a part of it, but land surveying is a highly complex field. It incorporates parts of engineering, geography, and architecture as well as having to understand the physical features of the earth. As such, it comes with its own unique set of professional land surveying practices.
Safety during land surveying begins with proper training. Understanding the risks and conducting the proper land surveying safety protocols is what will keep everyone safe during a survey. Surveyors usually go through a bunch of training programs that involve hazard recognition, first aid, and use of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Proper education will allow surveyors to both prevent or mitigate risks that come with working in hazardous or complex areas.
Personal Protective Equipment and Tools
Proper usage of personal protective equipment for surveyors is something that cannot be overlooked. The equipment that is to be used depends on the type of work and the terrain in which the survey is being conducted. PPEs usually include
- Protective footwear
- High-visibility vests
- Hard hats
- Safety gloves
- Hearing protection
- Respiratory protection
However, establishing full protection requires combining PPEs with the proper tools and equipment. In this case, we mean properly maintained instruments and reliable communication devices. Proper tools are not only going to help get accurate data but will also help surveyors stay connected and enable alerts in case of danger.
Maintenance and Storage of PPE
Keeping your PPEs in check is what will guarantee safety in the field. You always have to check it for tears or defects, even before and after using it. Inspecting the equipment regularly ensures its proper usage and longevity, not to mention that it protects the wearer.
When checking it out, consider the following.
- Are the gloves loose?
- Is something broken?
- Are the lenses on the safety goggles scratched?
- Does the document limit exposure to the hazardous materials it was designed to protect against?
Regular maintenance of protective equipment prolongs its function, provides adequate protection to the user, and ensures proper function.
Leveraging Technology for Safer Surveying
Thanks to advancements in technology, it has become one of the most important helpers in establishing proper land surveying best practices. For instance, the use of drones or remote-sensing devices has made it a lot easier and safer for surveyors to conduct their work in hard-to-reach places. They no longer have to put themselves at risk with the help of modern technology.
Also, for example, surveyors now use GPS and GIS technology which gives surveyors more than precise location data. Risk assessment for surveyors has become immensely easier with the advancements in technology that have been made. Physical risks are reduced as surveyors are stepping away more and more from traditional practices that could be too risky for certain types of terrain.
Emergency Response Planning in Surveying
Unfortunately, no matter the precautions you take and follow land surveying best practices accidents can still happen. For that reason, the key to success is a proper response plan. The plan has to include ways of handling different types of emergencies.
The emergencies in question are usually medical, equipment, or environmental related. In order to execute it as best as possible, workers need to be drilled on proper emergency protocols so all team members know exactly how to respond in a certain kind of situation. A swift response will minimize the impact of the incident and keep everyone safe.
FAQs
To help you understand the risks involved in land surveying better and which are the best practices associated with them, here are a few FAQs to help.
What are the safety precautions for surveying?
Surveying safety is all about staying seen and aware. Wearing high-visibility clothing, watching your surroundings for traffic and hazards, and being mindful of weather conditions are some of the primary precautions that a surveyor needs to watch out for.
One should use proper PPE like safety glasses, sturdy boots, and sun protection. Always be cautious around utilities and operate equipment only after proper training. If possible, avoid working alone and carry a first-aid kit. By prioritizing safety, you can ensure a successful and hazard-free surveying experience.
What is the most accurate land survey method?
For top-notch precision, consider robotic total stations to achieve millimeter-level accuracy. Large-scale surveys with high demands might benefit from RTK GNSS, offering centimeter-level precision.
3D laser scanning excels in capturing complex features but focuses on relative accuracy for volumes, not strict boundary lines. Ultimately, the best method considers project needs, site conditions, and the balance between accuracy, cost, and time.
What are the hazards of surveyors?
Surveyors navigate a world of hazards! From traffic and slips on uneven ground to extreme weather and falling objects, staying safe requires constant vigilance.
Underground utilities, wildlife encounters, and even repetitive strain injuries from long days with equipment are all potential risks. By prioritizing safety measures and working smart, surveyors can minimize these dangers and ensure a successful surveying experience.
What is the most difficult aspect of land surveying?
The difficulty lies in achieving the perfect balance between high-precision measurements and project efficiency. Add to that the challenge of navigating tricky landscapes, adapting to unexpected obstacles like hidden utilities, and sometimes even mediating boundary disputes. Surveyors need a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and adaptability to conquer these diverse challenges.
