Severe Weather Operations: Heat: Difference between revisions
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== General Guidelines == | == 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 | 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! | |||
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. | |||
== OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App == | == 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 | PBEM highly recommends installing this smartphone app to monitor conditions, and as a reference for heat stress indicators. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html | ||
== 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. | |||
== City Thresholds and Action Items == | == City Thresholds and Action Items == | ||
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'''''Heat Index*''''' | '''''Heat Index*''''' | ||
|'''''Heat Index + | |'''''Heat Index +''''' | ||
''(tasked with high exertion activities**)'' | ''(Lower threshold when tasked with high exertion activities**)'' | ||
|'''''Action Taken''''' | |'''''Action Taken''''' | ||
('' | (''Levels build on each other for escalating Heat Indices'') | ||
|- | |- | ||
|style="background: yellow;| | |style="background: yellow;| | ||
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* A 10-minute break every 2 hours is ''required'', however a 10-minute break at least every hour is ''recommended''. | * 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. | * 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 | * 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. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|style="background: darkorange;| | |style="background: darkorange;| | ||
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''85'' | ''85'' | ||
|style="background: darkorange;| | |style="background: darkorange;| | ||
* Work assignments should be prioritized for cooler parts of the day and | * 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. | ||
|- | |- | ||
|style="background: darkred; color: white"| | |style="background: darkred; color: white"| | ||
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| colspan="3" |''*When the [https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index 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 [https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/factsheets/fs91.pdf English] and [https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/factsheets/fs91s.pdf Spanish].'' | | colspan="3" |''*When the [https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-index 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 [https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/factsheets/fs91.pdf English] and [https://osha.oregon.gov/OSHAPubs/factsheets/fs91s.pdf 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 | ''*** Essential functions are defined by PBEM and include but are not limited to work required to protect life and property.'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
=== '''Working in the heat''' === | |||
* Increase hydration. Consider drinks containing 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. | |||
''' | === '''OR-OSHA Notices for heat, and other concerns''' === | ||
* https://osha.oregon.gov/news/notices/Pages/default.aspx | |||
* | === '''Heat Illness Prevention Training:''' === | ||
* Please review the [https://osha.oregon.gov/edu/courses/Pages/heat-illness-prevention-online-course.aspx OR-OSHA Heat Illness Prevention online training course]. Log time as '''Self-reported''' > '''Advanced Training'''. | |||
* [https://www.publicalerts.org/heat PublicAlerts.org Extreme Heat] educational materials and printable handouts. | |||
* | |||
'''When to seek help | === '''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. | |||
=== '''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. |
Revision as of 07:18, 13 May 2023
General Guidelines
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!
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.
OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App
PBEM highly recommends installing this smartphone app to monitor conditions, and as a reference for heat stress indicators. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/heatapp.html
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 website or Android or iPhone apps.
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 |
|
90 |
85 |
|
100+ |
95 |
|
*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. |
Working in the heat
- Increase hydration. Consider drinks containing 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.
OR-OSHA Notices for heat, and other concerns
Heat Illness Prevention Training:
- Please review the OR-OSHA Heat Illness Prevention online training course. Log time as Self-reported > Advanced Training.
- PublicAlerts.org Extreme Heat educational materials and printable handouts.
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.
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.