Land Surveyor Safety

My last post showed the blurred image of a survey instrument as seen from the window of a speeding passing bus. It reminded me not only of the dangers of traffic, but the multitude of other dangers that present themselves every day.

I could go int a discussion of all of the dangers, but I found a handbook that does it better than I ever could. The “Survey Safety Handbook” by the Florida Department of Transportation says it all. It covers everything from signage on roadways, proper operation of cutting tools, danger of aggresive animals, to the danger presented by entering confined spaces.

Everyone must take responsibility for their own knowledge of the dangers, and the proper safety measures appropriate for the situation. But it is a greater responsibility of managers and supervisors of field survey personel to properly instruct everyone in the issue of safety.

With the exception of signage requirements along public roadways, the handbook is not particularly state specific. Everyone regardless of geographic location can gain something from this publication. In fact surveyors from other states may profit more because of the publicity offered by this article. I have found no state more concerned with surveyor safety than Florida. If you know of another, possibly better publication, please let me know.