Incidents and Reporting

Working in the field can be an extremely rewarding experience and serious field accidents are infrequent. However, it is important that the University be informed when incidents do occur so we can investigate their root causes and implement preventative measures in the future.

IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED AN INJURY, POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, OR ILLNESS CONTRACTED DURING FIELD ACTIVITIES SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.

If you are experience any emergency (medical, legal, security, etc.) in an international location call CISI Emergency Team Assist at (01-312) 935-1703.

Report to ESSR all incidents, injuries, illnesses, and close calls related to your research activities as soon as possible.

Some specific incidents require additional reports to other university offices:

Export Compliance Office
Report any experience of adverse security events during foreign travel such as stolen equipment or confiscation of equipment by customs.

Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (Title IX) 
Report incidents of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination and other forms of discrimination based on a specific trait.

UMPD
Report all crimes that occur during the course of your field activities. These events should be also be reported to local law enforcement.

Office of General Counsel
Contact this office regarding legal questions arise before or during your field research.

Risk Management
Report any instances of property damage or loss, injuries, vehicle accidents (including those involving rental cars used on university business), and medical incidents as soon as possible. Additionally, contact Risk Management with questions regarding Worker's Compensation and the Tort Claims Act.

Scientific Diving and Boating
All incidents involving diving or boating must be reported according to the instructions described in the Scientific Diving Safety Manual and Safe Boating Manual.

UMD Biosafety
Report any injuries or potential exposure to research protocol-related human or non-human primate blood, body fluids or unfixed tissues, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, or infectious agents immediately to both the UMD Biosafety Officer and the PI on the project.

IACUC
Report all unexpected or adverse events involving research animals, as defined in the Adverse Event Reporting policy, as soon as possible.

IRB
Report unanticipated problems involving risks to participants/others or a change in protocol that involves human subjects as soon as possible. These include, but are not limited to, any unexpected physical or psychological harm experienced by a participant related to the research, a change to the risks or potential benefits of the research for the participant, breach of confidentiality, participant complaints, incarceration of a participant in a protocol not approved to enroll prisoners, and protocol deviation.