Safety
The Safety toolbox provides information pertaining to safety in wilderness. It includes law and agency policies, management guidelines and tools pertaining to both visitor and employee safety in wilderness. Contact us to suggest new materials for inclusion.
Introduction
Safety is only mentioned briefly in the Wilderness Act of 1964 in the context of prohibited uses and minimum requirements. "...except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no..." Risk, adventure, discovery and the unknown are valued by many in a wilderness experience. Never-the-less, it is each agencies responsibility to consider the health and safety of both persons who visit and employees who work in wilderness.
Visitor Safety
Law and Policy
The Wilderness Act
Safety in:
THE WILDERNESS ACT
Public Law 88-577 (16 U.S. C. 1131-1136)
PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN USES
(c) Except as specifically provided for in this Act, and subject to existing private rights, there shall be no commercial enterprise and no permanent road within any wilderness area designated by this Act and except as necessary to meet minimum requirements for the administration of the area for the purpose of this Act (including measures required in emergencies involving the health and safety of persons within the area), there shall be no temporary road, no use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment or motorboats, no landing of aircraft, no other form of mechanical transport, and no structure or installation within any such area.
Agency Policy
- FWS Wilderness Visitor Safety Policy
- FS Wilderness Visitor Safety Policy
- NPS Wilderness Visitor Safety Policy
Management Guidelines, Strategies, and Practices
FS
Case Studies
Employee Safety
Agency Policy
FS
- 2326.1 - Conditions Under Which Use (of Motorized Equipment or Mechanical Transport in Wilderness) May Be Approved
- Health and Safety Code Handbook, FSM 6709.11
- Wilderness Ranger Field Guide, Chapter 4: Safety
Management Guidelines, Strategies, and Practices
NPS
- 2011 Backcountry Travel and Tracking Policy (ROMO)
- 2011 Employee Safety Handbook (ROMO)
- Archeology Field Safety Plan (GRCA)
- Backcountry Travel Plan Form (ROMO)
- Backcountry Travel Tracking Log (ROMO)
- IMR Wilderness Executive Committee Safety Issues
- IMR Safety and Wilderness Handout
Operational Leadership
- What is Operational Leadership?
- Seven Components of Operational Leadership
- Four Principles of Operational Risk Management
- Operational Leadership Program Overview
- Operational Leadership Curriculum
- DECIDE Decision-Making Model
- Fatigue Case Study
Risk Assessment
Job Hazard Analyses
Chainsaws
Hand Tools
- Hand Tools, general
- Axe and Hatchet Use
- Crosscut Saw Use and Maintenance
- Griphoist and Highline Use and Maintenance
- Rigging
- Tool Sharpening
Power Tools
- Carnivore Monitoring
- Close Distance Wildlife Observation
- Electrofishing
- Elk Ground Surveys
- Exotic Plant Removal
- Firearms Use for Wildlife Management
- Goshawk Monitoring
- Jabstick Use for Wildlife Pharmaceuticals
- Mechanical Plant Removal
- Plant Material Handling
- Snake Monitoring
- Trapping Wildlife
- Vegetation Monitoring
- Wildlife Surveys