Safety is our Top Priority

We place the highest priority on the health and safety of our participants, staff and project partners. We have 36 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. We utilise 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 and we include an International Emergency Medical Evacuation service in the cost of the expedition.

Safety Policy 

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
  • Accommodations suitable to the project and research area
  • Detailed medical evacuation plans for projects
  • Field staff trained in emergency procedures
  • 24 hour/ 7 days a week emergency assistance, by dedicated Field Management staff
  • Trained crisis management team

Coming soon...

The International Field Management team are currently developing policies in conjunction with external safety consultants and our scientists about working with minors, recreational time, transportation, swimming on projects, boat handling and SCUBA. Once complete all policies will be compiled into an Earthwatch Field Manual and distributed to all expedition field staff.