Safe investigative practices and common sense safety precautions are of vital importance, but are often overlooked during an investigation. Each investigation participant must consider several items including the following:

  • Calm and competent behavior to preclude frantic or ill-advised action is a necessity.
  • Suitable gear for the climate and terrain is needed upon arrival.
  • Wearing gloves when handling wreckage is mandatory.
  • Helmet (Hard hats) should be worn when working inside or under wreckage
  • At high elevations, portable oxygen and other emergency equipment should be available.
  • Unexpected weather or equipment failures may isolate the investigation team in remote areas; therefore, provisions for first aid, shelter, food, water, and fuel should be made before the need arises.
  • Reliable communications between the investigation headquarters and the various activity scenes should be maintained by telephone, walkie-talkie, or long-range radio equipment.
  • The following potentially hazardous items or situations may be encountered:
  1. Sharp, jagged pieces of metal. Wreckage may shift.
  2. Fuel and other flammable agents. Toxic agents may be present with a fire.
  3. Ignition sources; hot metal, battery (may also explode), ignition wires, electrical wires, grass or wood fire, or any explosive agent. Tires may explode.
  4. Hazardous materials from the aircraft or at the scene.
  5. Still-loaded aircraft systems, including; fuel and oil, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and oxygen. Remember that controls may move.
  6. On frozen water, ice may give under wreckage.
  7. Possibility of snakes.
  • Lacerations from wreckage; where human remains are present will require a hepatitis injection.
  • Use industrial rubber gloves and caution to avoid cuts, scrapes, or scratches when working on wreckage where human debris (blood, fluids, and tissue) are present.