Public

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

Management Guidelines, Strategies, and Practices

FS

Case Studies

Employee Safety

Agency Policy

FS

Management Guidelines, Strategies, and Practices

NPS

Operational Leadership

Risk Assessment

Resources

Job Hazard Analyses