Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 7

7 Health and safety

In the case of environmental emergencies, contact will be made with the Canadian Environmental Emergencies Notification System at the following address:

All reasonable efforts will be made to protect the health and safety of the public, including adequately informing visitors of any known or anticipated hazards or risks. Further, Environment and Climate Change Canada staff will take all reasonable and necessary precautions to protect their own health and assure safety as well as that of their co-workers. However, visitors (including researchers and contractors) must make all reasonable efforts to inform themselves of risks and hazards and must be prepared and self-sufficient. Natural areas contain some inherent dangers and proper precautions must be taken by visitors, recognizing that Environment and Climate Change Canada staff neither regularly patrol nor offer services for visitor safety in National Wildlife Area (NWAs)

Management activities directed at improving health and safety and reducing the risk of a hazardous occurrence include:

• installation and/or replacement of signs at main access points identifying safety precautions and authorized and prohibited uses for visitors;
• removal of abandoned building materials and debris;
• removal of landfill and agricultural implements when found;
• support for continued monitoring by the Department of National Defence; and,
• installation and maintenance of a trail for access by Environment and Climate Change Canada staff along the boundary of the NWA for management and enforcement purposes.

Site visits by Environment and Climate Change Canada staff are conducted at least four times a year (once a season), to monitor facilities and infrastructure. Periodic formal assessments of facilities, infrastructure and site conditions will be performed by federal agencies.

Through its Contaminated Sites program, Environment and Climate Change Canada conducts site audits to identify contaminants, assess risks and remediate contaminants on federal lands. The Department of National Defence is responsible for unexploded explosive ordnances (UXO) at Prince Edward Point NWA and in adjacent waters.

If a situation warrants, multiple authorities should be advised as soon as possible. Refer to Appendix III for a list of emergency contacts. Reports should include the date, time and nature of the incident/accident, contact names and information for the reporting party (for follow up information), and other relevant details.