Fieldwork is defined as practical work related to the university's activities, carried out by staff or students at locations outside the university's control, typically outside the university's premises (land registries).

This includes activities such as field surveys, diving, drone flying, transportation related to fieldwork, as well as company visits, excursions, interviews, consulting, and presentation. Leisure activities and activities outside working hours are not included.

Obligation to seek information and follow instructions
The leader of the fieldwork is obligated to instruct you on the specific risks and precautions that may arise during fieldwork. As a participant, you are required to follow these instructions and report if others do not comply. If you believe the instructions have been insufficient, you must either request additional information or actively seek it yourself. This may include information about insurance, vaccinations, equipment, clothing, safety regulations, permits, local norms for behavior, visas, or safety measures for business trips to high-risk destinations. 

Responsibility for students
If you are responsible for students during fieldwork, it is your duty to ensure that they receive proper instructions on how to handle potential risks.

Insurance
As an employee or a PhD student under employment, you are covered by the university’s travel insurance and workers' compensation insurance.

Travel insurance outside Denmark
For business trips, you are covered by SDU’s business travel insurance, which is part of the state’s self-insurance scheme and administered by Europæiske Rejseforsikring. You must bring an SDU business travel insurance card when traveling. The insurance applies regardless of the trip’s duration. However, please note that the insurance does not cover any vacation or special leave taken in connection with the fieldwork. In such cases, you must arrange private travel insurance yourself, for example, as an additional policy with Europæiske Rejseforsikring.

Workers' compensation insurance
You are covered by the workers' compensation insurance through the state’s self-insurance scheme. Work-related injuries must be reported to your local occupational health and safety representative, who will handle the further process.

Accident insurance
SDU does not provide accident insurance for employees. It is recommended that you have a private full-time accident insurance policy. However, if SDU is found liable in a specific case by Arbejdsmarkedets Erhvervssikring, SDU will provide compensation for damages.

Health insurance
For travel outside Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, you must bring the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which grants access to medical treatment in EU/EEA countries under the same conditions as local citizens.

This information is intended for students conducting fieldwork, including externally employed and non-employed PhD students.

Obligation to seek information and follow instructions
The fieldwork leader is responsible for informing you about specific risks and precautions that may arise during the fieldwork. As a participant, you are required to follow these instructions and report it if others do not comply. If you believe the instructions have been insufficient, you must either request additional information or actively seek it yourself. This may include information on insurance, vaccinations, equipment, clothing, safety regulations, permits, local behavioral norms, visas, or safety protocols for work-related travel to high-risk destinations. If in doubt, it is better to ask once too often than once too little.

Accident and liability insurance
As a student, you should be aware that you are not covered by any of the university’s insurance schemes. You should therefore check whether your existing insurance provides coverage. If it does not, it is recommended that you take out a relevant insurance policy. If the fieldwork takes place outside Denmark, you must also have private travel insurance (ensure that it provides adequate coverage) and bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for travel within the EU/EEA.

The benefit criterion
Students who are not performing actual work are not covered by the Working Environment Act or the Workers’ Compensation Act. However, if a student’s activities result in a financial benefit to the Department of Biology, or reduce the department’s expenses for other labor, the student will be covered by the department’s statutory workers’ compensation insurance.

Public health insurance
When travelling within Europe but outside Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland, you must bring a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card provides coverage in the EU/EEA and entitles you to the same healthcare services as citizens of the country you are visiting. Coverage may vary depending on the rules in the destination country.

• Have read and understood the current legislation regarding drone flight in Denmark.
• Have acquired at least the A1/A3 certificate or A2, depending on the drone platform and flight area.
• Have read and understood the legislation concerning noise-sensitive nature areas if the flight will be performed in one of these.
• Have checked the no-flight zone map.
• Have obtained the necessary permissions and dispensations for flight in the specific area (this may include dispensation from the TBST, MST, municipality, and/or local landowners). See ois.dk for matricular information.
• Have registered the drone correctly with SDU's drone operator number (this can be obtained from SDU TEK – Dronecenter or Niels Svane at the Department of Biology). This number needs to be placed on the drone.
• Have the compulsory insurance for the drone (employees and staff are covered by self-insurance – but only "ansvarsforsikring").
• Have inspected the weather forecast on dmi.dk, yr.no, or other services to determine the conditions on the day of the flight.
• Have read the manuals for all equipment and have full knowledge of how to use it. The equipment should be checked for damage, be updated, and be fully functional.
• Batteries should be fully charged and inspected for damage/errors before flight.

• Follow the legal requirements for flight (distances, etc.) as stated above unless dispensation for special operations has been granted.
• Always be aware of the surroundings, such as tall trees or buildings, people in the area, livestock, etc.
• Identify an appropriate area for emergency landing.
• Turn off the Wi-Fi on your phone, as it might interfere with the signal between the drone and remote.
• Check if the drone flies as it should before the operation is initiated.
• It is recommended to wear a reflective vest clearly identifying the drone pilot while flying. These can be borrowed from Niels Svane at the Department of Biology.
• Never fly beyond the visual line of sight as stated in the legal documents.
• Always keep the required distance from other people in the area (depending on your drone class and certificate). Alternatively, get verbal consent from the people entering your area of flight, informing them of the purpose of the flight and that they are entering a risk area.
• Always be polite, answer questions from people entering the area of flight, and explain who you are and what you are doing.
• Limit stress on livestock and wildlife as much as possible.
• Always land if/when a manned aerial vehicle enters the area of flight. Check FlightRadar and NOTAM before your flight.
• Land or fly close to the ground whenever a predatory bird enters your flight space.
• Be aware of flocks of birds.
• Always be aware of the state of the battery – especially when flying far away from the pilot or above water. Be mindful of the prevailing wind direction.
• Always keep the remote in hand when performing automatic flights, so control of the drone can be quickly regained.
• Never leave the batteries unattended or in the sun, wind, or cold. Allow them to cool down slowly.

• As quickly as possible, inform the supervisor or project manager of any problems, accidents, or similar issues.
• Inform the supervisor/manager of any situations involving elevated risk.
• Examine the equipment for any damage or issues, remove dust/sand/water droplets, and report any damage or issues to the supervisor/manager.
• Store and discharge/charge batteries in a controlled environment, and check them for any damage.
• Keep a logbook of your flights as stated in the legal documents.

The following must be read and reviewed with new employees and students before entering the water for the first time.

Risk assessment form
Find the risk assessment form for snorkeling and freediving here.

Important preparations before snorkeling and freediving
These points can be reviewed on the way to the diving destination.

• Identify risks related to diving and how to avoid problems.
• Find the nearest redningsnummer by zooming in on the map and reading the number.
• Develop a plan for what is to be done.
• Agree on who brings the mobile phone, and ensure everyone knows the access code.

General safety
Follow the guidelines in the other sections on fieldwork, e.g., boating on open sea.

• Download the Søassistance app, which is used to contact sea rescue. The app sends a signal to nearby boats.
• Stop work if feeling unwell. Sail or swim ashore.
• Contact Benjamin Nielsen in case of equipment problems. Clearly mark defective equipment, e.g., with duct tape and a brief description.
• Bring a mobile phone with the number of Søværnets Operative Kommando saved.
• Bring packed lunch and drinking water.
• Bring a first aid kit for the boat and know its location and contents.
• Bring an oxygen box in the car. A 2-liter oxygen cylinder is under the exemption limit and requires neither ADR certification nor orange hazard labels. Ensure the cylinder is upright and secured. Check that the valve is closed and that there is good ventilation in the vehicle. Know the location and contents.
• New participants must watch an introduction to rescue and first aid and be introduced to the use of the outboard motor, kill switch, and whistle.
• New participants must provide information about any allergies, illnesses, phobias, or similar conditions, as well as their swimming experience.

Safety for depth diving
A minimum of 3 persons must be present:

• 1 person remains on the boat and monitors.
• 2 persons are in the water: 1 diver and 1 safety person on the surface. The diving person must have a buddy line with a buoy attached.

• When you go out
• Your expected return time
• If you are delayed
• When you return

• Life jacket (CE-approved): Use a life jacket or safety suit with a cartridge. Must be serviced every 2 years.
• Oars
• Bailer
• Anchor with sufficient line
• Fully charged mobile phone
• Survival suit during the winter season – never go out wearing waders.

• When you go out
• Your expected return time
• If you are delayed
• When you return

• Life jacket (CE-approved)
• Oars
• Bailer
• Anchor with sufficient anchor line
• Fully charged mobile phone
• Survival suit during the winter season. Never go out wearing waders.
• Distress flares
• Compass
• Optional: GPS
• Nautical chart
• Floating line
• Spare fuel can
• Drinking water
• Emergency kit

• Phone number for Søværnets Operative Kommando and the institute's phone list
• Spark plug wrench
• Rope
• Knife
• Multitool
• 8 pamphlets from the Danish Maritime Authority
• Red distress flares
• Green and white signal flares