To stay safe in the field there is a lot of PPE required to be worn and carried by surveyors. PPE for surveyors include:
- Hi-Vis Clothing
- Hi-Vis Clothing
- Hi-Vis Vest
- Steel Cap Boots
- Hard Hat
- Sun Protection
- Safety Glasses
- Hearing Protection
- Gloves
- First Aid Equipment
- Safety Harness
For a more detailed explanation of the PPE, surveyors wear read below.
Hi-Vis Clothing
Hi-vis clothing is clothing that is brightly coloured to make the surveyor more visible when working near roads and other trafficable areas.
At a minimum, it is usually expected that the shirt you wear is brightly coloured.
Personally, I wear long-sleeved shirts and pants for added sun protection.
Hi-Vis Vest
The purpose of hi-vis vests is twofold. (1) If you don’t have any hi-vis clothing on, you can put on a hi-vis vest over the top of your clothing to make yourself move visible, or (2) there are some hi-vis utility vests that carry all the things that a surveyor could need like paint, plans, ribbon and anything else.
Steel Cap Boots
It’s a good idea to get good quality steel cap boots because not only will you spend over 40 hours a week wearing them, but you need them to last and protect your feet properly.
Hard Hat
If you ever plan on going near a construction site, it will be a site requirement that you wear a hardhat.
Sun Protection
Field surveyors spend all of their time outside, it is important to protect yourself from the sun to prevent getting burnt and skin cancer.
Hat
Wide brim hats are best at keeping the sun off the neck, ears and face.
For Hard Hats
If you spend a lot of time on construction sites you can get a wide brim or neck flap to add to your helmet to protect yourself from the sun on site.
Sunscreen
Applying some sun cream will help protect you from the sun and should be done each day you are outside.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses not only protect you from the sun but also from the risk of debris entering your eye.
Hearing Protection
If working near noisy environments like construction sites, you need to have some hearing protection on hand. This should be either ear muffs or foam ear plugs.
Gloves
Surveyors use their hands a lot in the field, so it’s best to protect them from possible injury. Wearing a good quality glove will protect your hand from sunburn, cuts from tools, thorns and tree branches.
First Aid Equipment
Every survey vehicle needs to have first aid equipment. If you are ever hurt in the field you need to be able to grab what you need from your first aid bag to treat yourself. This includes bandaids, bandages, slings, eyewash, and more.
Safety Harness
If you are ever going to be working at heights or from an elevated work platform (EWP) regularly you should consider getting a good quality harness. They do need to be checked and tagged regularly by a certified person but they will save your life worst-case scenario.