10. Fieldwork safety planning and risk management

Fieldwork involves unique safety challenges including environmental, operational and social hazards. Unlike laboratory settings with established protocols, fieldwork safety requires adaptive and comprehensive strategies to assess and manage risks. This chapter introduces structured safety planning, emphasising proactive and reactive safety measures, and suggests adapting the industrial bow tie models to a fieldwork context. Key elements include thorough planning, specialised training, and appropriate equipment. By integrating these components, field teams can enhance their preparedness and ensure safer research activities.