Severe Weather Operations: Heat

General Guidelines

As always, every NET's personal health and safety must be their absolute top priority. 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 themselves to a safer environment immediately. Do not become a patient!

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App

PBEM highly recommends installing this smartphone app to monitor conditions. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html

City Thresholds and Action Items

Heat Index*	Heat Index + 10 (tasked with high exertion activities**)	Action Taken (Actions continue and 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 workers. 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 bureaus should consider limiting field work to critical functions at a moderate work pace. Bureaus should consider assigning workers to air-conditioned areas or to assist with severe 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 paving, climbing, carrying loads over 40 pounds, indoor areas whose heat exceeds outdoor temperatures, and strenuous manual labor which may require heat trapping PPE and/or impermeable protective clothing. *** Essential functions are defined by bureau operations and include but are not limited to work required to protect life and property.

Working in the heat:

• Increase hydration – consider drinks with electrolytes,
• Wear loose fitting clothing,
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat,
• Take frequent breaks in the shade, and reapply sunscreen frequently.
• Watch for signs of heat related illnesses, and report to supervisor immediately

Heat Illness Prevention Training:

• Complete the Heat Illness Prevention Training in City Learner. For contract staff. Please review the OR-OSHA Heat Illness Prevention online training course

Working in the heat:

OR-OSHA Heat Notice:

• https://osha.oregon.gov/news/notices/Pages/heat-illness.aspx

For supervisors:

• Supervisors should be prepared to modify outdoor work activities for crews such as moving more strenuous outdoor jobs to the early morning hours, and assigning afternoon tasks indoors or in shady areas.
• Communicate with employees frequently
• Allow for a 10 minute rest period for every two-hour period
• Ensure employees have sufficient cool water (32 ounces per hour while working in heat)

When to seek help:

• 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.