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== General Guidelines ==
== General Guidelines ==
{{#ev:youtube|fLu080UX25o|430|right|'''''Video: How heat messes with the human body'''''|frame}}
As always, every NET's personal health and safety must be their absolute top priority. NETs may not distribute or give away their own supply of water or other health provisions unless replenishment is expected imminently.
As always, every NET's personal health and safety must be their absolute top priority. NETs may not distribute or give away their own supply of water or other health provisions unless replenishment is expected imminently.
Any NET who suspects that their deployment conditions might be unhealthy is required to notify their Incident Team Leader (ITL) or PBEM Incident Commander (IC) and remove themself to a safer environment immediately. Do not become a patient!
Any NET who suspects that their deployment conditions might be unhealthy is required to immediately notify their Incident Team Leader (ITL) or PBEM Incident Commander (IC) and remove themself to a safer environment. Do not become a patient!
If NET volunteers are working alongside City employees who receive direction to modify, relocate, or suspend their work, these directives apply to NETs as well. All safety guidelines applicable to employees apply to volunteers as well.
If NET volunteers are working alongside City employees who receive direction to modify, relocate, or suspend their work, these directives apply to NETs as well. All safety guidelines applicable to employees apply to volunteers, as a minimum.
== OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App ==
== OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App ==
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== EPA AirNow AQI Quality Monitoring System ==
== EPA AirNow AQI Quality Monitoring System ==
Heat can be accompanied by degraded air quality. PBEM recommends tracking the local air quality index (AQI) using the AirNow [https://www.airnow.gov/ website] or [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saic.airnow&pli=1 Android] or [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epa-airnow/id467653238 iPhone] apps.
Heat can be accompanied by degraded air quality. PBEM recommends tracking the local air quality index (AQI) using EPA's AirNow system: [https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Portland&state=OR&country=USA website], [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.saic.airnow&pli=1 Android app], [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/epa-airnow/id467653238 iPhone app].
== City Thresholds and Action Items ==
== City Thresholds and Action Items ==
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* Shade the injured person, provide a cool towel and make sure liquids are available. If the person is having trouble responding or complains of significant exhaustion, it’s time to get them to medical care or call 911.
* Shade the injured person, provide a cool towel and make sure liquids are available. If the person is having trouble responding or complains of significant exhaustion, it’s time to get them to medical care or call 911.
=== '''For Incident Team Leader (ITLs) and Safety Officers:''' ===
=='''For Incident Team Leader (ITLs) and Safety Officers'''==
* Be prepared to modify outdoor work activities and reschedule more strenuous outdoor tasks to the early morning hours. Assign afternoon tasks indoors or in shady areas.
* Be prepared to modify outdoor work activities and reschedule more strenuous outdoor tasks to the early morning hours. Assign afternoon tasks indoors or in shady areas.
* Communicate with volunteers under your command frequently. NETs' safety is our top operational priority at all times.
* Communicate with volunteers under your command frequently. NETs' safety is our top operational priority at all times.
* Require a 10 minute rest period ''at least'' every two-hours, or more often if at all possible.
* Require a 10 minute rest period ''at least'' every two-hours, or more often if at all possible.
* Ensure volunteers have sufficient cool water (32 ounces per hour while working in heat). Request assistance from the next level of command if necessary.
* Ensure volunteers have sufficient cool water (32 ounces per hour while working in heat). Request assistance from the next level of command if necessary.
As always, every NET's personal health and safety must be their absolute top priority. NETs may not distribute or give away their own supply of water or other health provisions unless replenishment is expected imminently.
Any NET who suspects that their deployment conditions might be unhealthy is required to immediately notify their Incident Team Leader (ITL) or PBEM Incident Commander (IC) and remove themself to a safer environment. Do not become a patient!
If NET volunteers are working alongside City employees who receive direction to modify, relocate, or suspend their work, these directives apply to NETs as well. All safety guidelines applicable to employees apply to volunteers, as a minimum.
Heat can be accompanied by degraded air quality. PBEM recommends tracking the local air quality index (AQI) using EPA's AirNow system: website, Android app, iPhone app.
City Thresholds and Action Items
Heat Index*
Heat Index +
(Lower threshold when tasked with high exertion activities**)
Action Taken
(Levels build on each other for escalating Heat Indices)
80
80
Emphasize the NET 'buddy' system. NETs always work in pairs for safety. Incident Team Leaders (ITLs) and/or PBEM staff will maintain regular communication with volunteers.
A 10-minute break every 2 hours is required, however a 10-minute break at least every hour is recommended.
Volunteers should be encouraged to take preventative cool-down rests in order to prevent the onset of heat-related health impacts.
Additional cold or cool drinking water will be made readily accessible to all volunteers. Access to shaded areas will be provided as close as practical to work area. When practical, work areas will be located entirely in shade.
90
85
Work assignments should be prioritized for cooler parts of the day and field work should be limited to critical functions conducted at a moderate pace.
Consider assigning volunteers to air-conditioned areas and modifying heat response activities.
100+
95
Limit physical exertion to a moderate work pace.
PBEM will remove volunteer from the field or move them to air-conditioned workspaces.
Emergency work and essential functions*** will be prioritized.
*When the Heat Index reaches each of these levels the City will comply with the standards for Heat Safety set forth by OR-OSHA which are available in English and Spanish.
**High exertion activities include but are not limited to climbing, carrying loads over 40 pounds, work in indoor areas where heat exceeds outdoor temperatures, and strenuous manual labor which may require heat-trapping PPE and/or impermeable protective clothing.
*** Essential functions are defined by PBEM and include but are not limited to work required to protect life and property.
Keep in check with your body and monitor your co-workers for symptoms of heat related illnesses. These may include:
Headache
Weakness
Confusion and/or slurred speech
Fainting and/or trouble responding
Cramps
Dizziness
If you, a co-worker experience these symptoms while working in high temps, it may be heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or other heat-related conditions.
Shade the injured person, provide a cool towel and make sure liquids are available. If the person is having trouble responding or complains of significant exhaustion, it’s time to get them to medical care or call 911.
For Incident Team Leader (ITLs) and Safety Officers
Be prepared to modify outdoor work activities and reschedule more strenuous outdoor tasks to the early morning hours. Assign afternoon tasks indoors or in shady areas.
Communicate with volunteers under your command frequently. NETs' safety is our top operational priority at all times.
Require a 10 minute rest period at least every two-hours, or more often if at all possible.
Ensure volunteers have sufficient cool water (32 ounces per hour while working in heat). Request assistance from the next level of command if necessary.