Field equipment and safety - Geological Field Techniques

Geoscience Reference

In-Depth Information

2 Field equipment

and safety

Angela L. Coe

2

This chapter covers general geological fi eld equipment and its

use. It also provides an overview of the health and safety

requirements in the fi eld. More specialist fi eld equipment and

safety considerations are covered within Chapters 5-10 where

appropriate. Sampling is covered as a separate topic in Chapter

13 and photographic equipment is briefl y reviewed in Chapter

12. All the health and safety notes provided in this topic are

generic. Other sources and regulations will need to be

consulted and followed depending on the fi eld area, the

country, the nature of the fi eldwork and the regulations of your

employer or educational institution.

Table 2.1 Equipment required

for most geological fi eldwork.

Clothing and safety equipment is

discussed in Section 2.11.

Essential fi eld equipment

Field notebook

Pencils, eraser, pencil sharpener

A few coloured pencils

2.1 Introduction

Tape measure, surveyor's tape or

folding ruler

Before going out into the fi eld it is necessary to: (1) assemble

all of the fi eld equipment that you might need; (2) assess any

safety issues; and (3) if necessary obtain permission to visit the

area. Both the safety and permission aspects may require

documentation to be completed. Exactly what equipment you

will need depends on the type of fi eldwork you will be

undertaking. The items required for most fi eldwork tasks are

listed in Table 2.1, and the equipment usually needed for

sampling in Table 2.2 on p. 6. Optional equipment and that

needed for more specialist tasks is listed in Table 2.3 on p. 6.

Hand lens

Compass-clinometer

Comparison and identifi cation

charts appropriate to the task

Relevant topographical maps

First aid kit and any personal

medical supplies that might be

required

Quantifi cation of geological observations

In almost all cases geological observations should be quantifi ed

because of the need to construct accurate and precise records.

This is achieved through the use of measuring tapes, a

compass-clinometer, rock comparison charts and more

sophisticated geophysical equipment. This chapter provides

information on how to master the basic geological

measurements. More advanced techniques and those applicable

to particular rock types are covered in the later chapters and