Astronomical observing is a potentially dangerous occupation. It frequently involves the operation of heavy equipment, in pitch darkness, at high altitude, and in lousy weather. Severe accidents have occurred at astronomical observatories, so visitors must take safety issues seriously.

Visitors should note that the ING safety policy applies to them as well as to observatory staff.

Day-to-day responsibility for safety on site is vested in the Incident Officer (or Duty Engineer). The name of the Incident Officer is posted on notice-boards in each control room, and he or she should be the first point of contact in case of any emergency. The Incident Officer has the authority to take decisions on safety issues, such as determining that the buildings or the observatory site should be evacuated, and such decisions must be obeyed.

For emergency procedures please refer to the Health and Safety section on the Intranet web pages (only accessible at the observatory).

Observers will travel to site either with the ING fleet, or by taxi. Please fill out the ING bookings form for making the appropriate arrangements in any of those cases. Please book well in advance. The cost of the ING taxi from sea level to the observatory is 40 Euros one way.

ING official transport leaves Santa Cruz de La Palma at 07:45am (weekdays only) and it returns at 04:00pm from the site (except Fridays 03:30pm). There is frequently transport at weekends but it is NOT guaranteed and you should check well in advance. The journey takes about one hour from the Observatory to Santa Cruz de La Palma.

You should NOT travel up to the mountain top in anything except the ING official transport or the taxi which would meet you at the airport. The roads can be impassable or dangerous at any time of year. The worst months are November to April.

NEVER hire a taxi or car without clearance from the ING office.

Please take care when walking around the site. There are many precipices and the rock is very unstable. Keep to roadways and marked paths. Beware of bad weather conditions: in poor visibility it is extremely easy to lose your way and snow or ice can make the shortest journey an ordeal. Always wear adequate shoes or boots.

Be sure to collect a torch before it gets dark, and always carry it with you. All visiting observers should be issued with a torch as part of the visitors pack received on arrival.

If you intend to leave the site to walk, always tell somebody before you leave or notify the Incident Officer.

During the winter months (normally November to April inclusive), travel between sea-level and site is more strictly controlled than usual. The Incident Officer must have established that the road is safe before it is used. All drivers using the mountain road must inform the Incident Officer at the start of their journey, and again on arrival. Vehicles travelling the mountain road must be able to communicate with the observatory in case of difficulties, and must therefore be equipped with either a radio or mobile phone.

The weather conditions at the observatory can change rapidly, even in summer. Therefore ensure that you bring adequate clothing to protect you against wind, rain, snow, ice and generally cold conditions.

For more details on bad weather and site emergency procedures see the Health and Safety section on the Intranet web pages (only accessible at the observatory).

Observers working alone at night are at particular risk. Carry the lone worker alarm always with you! Your Support Astronomer will show you how it works. If you discover a fire:

• Immediately operate the nearest fire alarm call point.
• Call the Incident Officer.

If you hear the fire-alarm:

• Leave the building at once by the nearest exit, and report to the person in charge at the assembly point outside the building.
• Do not take time to switch off the computers, air conditioning, power supplies, etc.
• Shut the windows and close all the doors behind you, if it is safe to do so.
• Do not run.
• Do not use the lift.
• Do not stop to collect personal belongings.
• Warn others as you go.
• Do not re-enter the building until permission is given to do so.

For more details on emergency procedures see the Health and Safety section on the Intranet web pages (only accessible at the observatory).