Earthwatch Safety Policy
At Earthwatch we place the highest priority on the health and safety of our participants, staff and project partners. We have 40 years experience of getting volunteers into the field and every year we send around 4,300 people onto Earthwatch projects around the world and we currently operate in 50 different countries.
Earthwatch utilises the services of leading risk consultancies to develop our risk management practices, emergency procedures and safety policies.
With our operations spanning the globe, we constantly monitor changes in political situations and climatic and meteorological conditions in all countries in which we work. We have a trained international crisis management team who are on duty 24 hours a day.
Although risk is an inherent part of the environments in which we work, we believe that through careful risk management and diligent planning, all participants will have a safe, educational and inspirational Earthwatch experience.
On an Earthwatch expedition you can expect the following:
- Match volunteers expectations and fitness ability to suitable projects through our screening process
- In depth information provided to participants in project briefings before fielding, including project conditions and risks associated with the project
- Thorough risk assessments carried out prior to projects fielding
- Safe drinking water available at all locations
- Accommodation suitable to the project and research area
- Detailed medical evacuation plans for projects
- Field staff trained in emergency procedures
- 24 hours / 7 days a week emergency assistance, provided by our specially trained and dedicated Field Management staff
All of Earthwatch's safety policies and procedures are compiled in our new Earthwatch Field Manual. This was created by the International Field Management team in conjunction with external safety consultants and our scientists, and is provided to all project staff who lead our expeditions.