Hazards

 As anyone who spends much time outdoors knows, nature presents many “hazards”, and any time we are outside, it is only sensible to pay attention and take precautions. Because V-O-Cal projects bring large numbers of volunteers together to work on trails and vegetation, and many of our volunteers camp with us on our project weekends, we do everything we can to inform you of the specific hazards that exist in the areas where we will work. We also have systems in place to help mitigate exposure and problems. Crew leaders will have basic first aid kits and trained medical “first responders” will be on call for each project.

 

The Bottom Line:  Know your limits. Communicate clearly with your crew leader and project leaders as to any concerns, injuries, physical limitations and other needs.  While we can make you aware of certain known risks and dangers, we have to recognize we are in an uncontrollable environment. It is ultimately your responsibility to look out for your own safety and prevent injuries to yourself and those around you.  So let's work hard, stay safe and have fun! 

Poison Oak

Perhaps the most significant hazard on any of our projects is poison oak. Poison oak is ubiquitous throughout northern California, and is something we pay particular attention to because something like 80% of people in general are sensitive to the oils produced by poison oak. It can cause a blistery rash and itchy misery. There are several things we recommend to protect our volunteers from poison oak exposure: 

Suggested work clothing: we strongly recommend that volunteers wear long sleeves and long pants on our work projects. Clothing helps prevent contact with the oils that cause a rash! Wear gloves. Gloves will protect your hands from the oils that can accumulate on tools and will prevent accidental exposure when you pick up that root or vine, only to realize that it is poison oak. 

We will have pre-exposure lotion and post-exposure cleanser available and on-hand during the work project. We strongly recommend that your first stop at the end of the work day is the wash station and that you wash your hands, face and neck before you change clothes or stop to eat. After washing up, change into different clothes for lounging around camp so that any oils that may be on your work clothes don’t get transferred back to your hands and arms. You should also keep your work clothes separate from the rest of your gear for the same reason. If you are working two days, it might be helpful to have separate work clothes for each day. 

If you know you are particularly sensitive to poison oak and tell us about it, we will do our best to assign you to tasks and work areas that will minimize your risk of exposure. 

Other vegetation hazards

Falling branches, trees, pinecones: There is always a hazard when working under trees that there might be branches that are dead, decaying, or hung up in the tree tops. We try to identify these risks and remove them ahead of time, but it can be hard to identify such problem branches, but trees and branches can fall for no reason at any time. 

Animals/Insects

Yellow jackets: Yellow jackets are a type of wasp that live in the ground or in dead wood or structures. They can swarm when disturbed and sting repeatedly. Digging near a hive can disturb them and create a hazard for everyone in the area. Volunteers who know they are allergic to wasps or bees should bring medication to treat an allergic reaction (such as benadryl and/or epi pen) and keep it with them at all times. We will look for hives prior to the start of the project but can never be sure we have eliminated this hazard. Please alert your crew leader at the beginning of the day if you have a known allergy. 

Ticks: Deer ticks (potential carriers of Lyme disease) and dog ticks are present in many work areas. First aid kits will include tweezers. Volunteers are encouraged to wear hats,  light colored clothing (to make it easier to see ticks), and to tuck pants into socks, shirts into pants, and to do a complete tick check at the end of the day. 

Fleas: Fleas are occasionally found where deer bed down at night. 

Scorpions/spiders: Scorpions and black widow spiders are found in woodpiles. Volunteers should wear gloves and avoid carrying dead wood by holding it against their body. 

Rattlesnakes: Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are present in many work areas. They may be found in the grass or under logs, dead branches or rocks. Usually they make their presence known and are not aggressive, but can bite if disturbed accidentally. 

Other Wildlife: cattle, eagles, coyote, wild boar, bobcats, and mountain lions may be present on work projects. It is unlikely that any of the this wildlife will pose any risk to people in the park. 

Other Information

Terrain hazards: Work areas may traverse slopes that are quite steep in places, and the soil may include round rocks and cobbles that can be easily dislodged and rolled downhill, posing a hazard for anyone below the work area, as well as creating an unstable surface to stand on while doing trail work. Volunteers should wear sturdy high top boots if possible to help support their ankles when walking across or working on steep slopes. Also, they should inform us if they have knee or other orthopedic trouble so they can be assigned to areas with milder cross slopes. 

Tool hazards: All of the tools pose a potential hazard to volunteers, either because they have sharp edges, weigh a lot, or have poison oak oil on their surface. They can pose a risk to volunteers when they are stored on the ground during the project, or when they are carried, or in use. Volunteers will receive instruction on safe use, transport, storage and handling of the tools. Your safety and ours makes it important for all volunteers to comply with these safety instructions. 

Weather hazards: It's possible it could either rain or the sun could beat down with an early spring heat wave. Rain and wind can leave volunteers at risk of a chill or hypothermia if they are not dressed properly. In the open grasslands, sun can be an issue in terms of sunburn, dehydration, and overheating during heavy work. Volunteers are encouraged to look at the weather report and to bring clothing to be able to add or subtract in layers and stay comfortable during the project. All volunteers are encouraged to carry water with them at all times and take frequent water breaks.