Fieldwork

Fieldwork – definition

In this context, fieldwork is defined as practical work carried out by staff employed by DTU, DTU students, DTU guests or others for whom DTU is responsible, in places outside the university area, which normally means away from the university location.

During fieldwork, there is usually a fieldwork leader present. This is the person who has planned the work and who teaches or advises the fieldwork participants.

Fieldwork therefore covers a range of land-based practical activities in Denmark and abroad, for example:

• Field studies and collection of samples or data from nature in connection with research or teaching
• Fieldwork in cities, companies or other organisations in connection with research and teaching
• Work in the laboratories or workshops of other companies or institutions for shorter or longer periods of time
• Transport in connection with getting to and from fieldwork

Participation in theoretical courses and conferences is not considered to be fieldwork.

Working environment responsibility

DTU is responsible for making sure that the employees and students on fieldwork carry out the work in a way that meets health and safety standards. The closest manager/advisor is responsible for giving all the necessary instruction and ensuring there is follow up on whether the work is carried out in line with the instructions given.

A risk assessment must be created before leaving for fieldwork so that the fieldwork participants are prepared to deal with any risks that can arise. The risk assessment must state who has created it, and who is responsible for safety during the fieldwork.

Management responsibility and the instruction and control obligations of the closest manager or advisor are however made more complicated by the fact that they are often not present, as the fieldwork does not take place at DTU, but in another location, e.g. abroad. If the fieldwork takes place abroad, it is made more complex if the country in question has less strict national rules than in Denmark, which can therefore increase the risk.

In the menu to your left you will find the guidelines for fieldwork in relation to responsibility, risk assessment, contingency preparation, instruction, control and safety for the employer/advisor, fieldwork leader and fieldwork participant respectively as well as Information regarding insurance conditions. Find accident reporting etc. at DTU Injury.

Template for DTU manager (before dispatchment), see fact box below, is a template for the DTU leader or DTU supervisor, and the employee / student, where you can be inspired on how to instruct the employee in the risks and how to prevent them. Fill it together with the employee /student.

Template for Field Work manager, see fact box below, is a template for the DTU field leader, which can be used to document, that all risks have been thought off. If the field leader is not from DTU, it is DTU leader or DTU supervisor who completes this template.

Template for DTU manager (after dispatchment), see fact box below, is a template for the DTU leader or DTU supervisor, and the employee / student, which can be used as a follow-up scheme after an agreed period. This is in order to keep in touch with the employee /student, and DTU leader or supervisor, can live up to their responsibilities, and the employee / student feels that the work is safe.

The guidelines only cover working environment-related conditions, and will therefore not go into other important conditions that can be involved in fieldwork, such as travel safety, research permits, visa applications, health risks and precautions, ethical considerations regarding the culture and norms at the location, secondment and travel to high risk countries that are described on the HR website. Here you can also find the consent form, that must be filled out when traveling to risk countries. See under useful information.