Health and Safety

Surveying

Butterfly Conservation has always put the safety of surveyors above the collection of records. For that reason we want people to consider their personal risk from any hazard, including trip hazards, weather conditions etc., above the need to collect records. There will always be some risks, and for that reason there is insurance for surveyors.
The web page at butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/recording-and-monitoring/health-safety has guidance on staying safe. We hope that all surveyors will consider the advice and follow the risk assessment.
Some surveyors might not be fully covered by BC's insurance. You are covered if surveying on a WCBS square or transect route and adding your own data to UKBMS. This cover will extend to any other activity, for example recording for 10km square purposes or at the request of a Species Champion. However, if you provide data (perhaps by email or written notes) to others to enter centrally, you might not be fully covered. The insurance gives maximum cover to those known to the system. Any surveyor who wishes to have this insurance cover should ask the recipient of their data to add them to the central register.
Just as you can walk in the countryside without insurance, you can collect butterfly data without insurance. Anybody who is collecting data on a casual basis can continue as before; we simply point out that BC's insurance gives the most comprehensive cover to those who are registered as surveyors.

Moth Trapping

Moth trapping takes place in the dark, outside, and normally involves the use of electrical equipment. All electrical equipment must be checked to ensure it is functioning properly, and that the equipment is not damaged in any way that could result in someone suffering an electric shock. Any trailing cables (eg to a generator) should be covered to avoid a trip hazard.
125W mercury-vapour bulbs are commonly used in moth traps. These are very bright, get very hot and emit additional ultra-violet light. It is advisable to not look directly at the bulb while it is on; either shield your eyes with your hand or use Polaroid sunglasses. Actinic bulbs are less powerful, but are still at risk of fracture.
Be careful not to let a moth fly into your ear! A trip to A&E will probably be needed to remove it.
Staff and volunteers organising and running public moth trapping events are covered under BC's insurance policies. There is public liability cover (for third party), and personal accident cover for BC staff and volunteers, where all reasonable precautions have been taken; staff and volunteers are covered under the employers liability cover.