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Workplace Safety Assignments: Roles, Duties, and Expectations
Emergency information is available related to the following topics:
High Temperatures/Heat
Low Temperatures/Cold
Severe Weather Alert/Tornado Safety
The information provided is printed from the Emergency Preparedness Workbook produced by the Emergency Management Department (913-782-3038).
In the Midwest, summer and heat waves go hand-in-hand. At such times - when temperatures easily can reach the high 90s to low 100s and humidity is equally high - the risk of heat-related stress and injury goes up. A body temperature even a few degrees above normal can lead to muscle cramps, weakness, and disorientation. Heat stroke, which can result in brain damage and death, may occur if body temperature reaches 105 degrees F or more and is not cooled quickly.
Heat stroke symptoms:
- Hot, dry and red skin
- Mental confusion, delirium or
- Convulsions
Begin first aid immediately:
- Put the victim in a cool area.
- Thoroughly soak clothing with water and vigorously fan the body to increase cooling.
- Start these procedures, and then call an ambulance or transport the person to the hospital.
Hot weather can lead to other safety problems. Sweaty palms and fogged-up safety glasses make it easier for injuries to occur while working outside. Mental alertness and physical performance tend to be affected by the heat. Emotions are affected as well. A rise in body temperature and physical discomfort can make people more irritable and angry. Emotions like these, plus reduced alertness, may cause individuals to ignore potential hazards and overlook safety procedures.
Our ability to cope with heat varies with age and physical condition. People who are overweight, physically unfit, drink too much alcohol, suffer from heart conditions, or are not used to hot summer weather may be at greater risk of heat stress and injury. The following guidelines can be used to keep cool and avoid the dangerous consequences of too much summer heat:
- Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If strenuous work is necessary, do it during the coolest part of the day, usually between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor and out of sunshine. Circulate the air with fans. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate sweat, which cools the body.
- Wear lightweight and light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine. They can make you feel good briefly, but they make the heat's effects on your body worse. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. To replace the four to eight quarts of sweat that may be produced in hot weather, people require 1/2 to one cup of water every 20 minutes.
- Eat small meals more often. Also, avoid foods high in protein; they increase metabolic heat. Don't use salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
- Acclimate yourself if you must work outdoors. To achieve acclimation, a person must work in the heat at the activity level required by the job. Acclimatization involves a stepwise adjustment to heat over a period of a week or sometimes longer. On the first and second day, work 1/3 of the work day; on days three and four, work 1/2 of the workday; and on days five and six, work 2/3 of the workday. Repeat this procedure anytime you miss a week or more of work.
Wind Chill - The wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by combined effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, heat is carried away from the body at an accelerated rate, driving down the body temperature. Animals are also affected by wind chill.Winterize Your Vehicle and Plan
Plan your travel and check the latest weather reports to avoid the storm! Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins.
- battery
- wipers and windshield washer fluid
- ignition system
- thermostat
- lights
- flashing hazard lights
- exhaust system
- heater
- brakes
- defroster
- oil level
Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. Check local ordinances for any further restrictions.
Winter Car Kit:
- Windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal
- blankets/sleeping bag
- flashlight with extra batteries
- first aid kit
- knife
- high-calorie non-perishable food
- extra clothing to keep dry
- a large empty can and plastic cover and paper towels for sanitary purposes
- a smaller can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water
- sack of sand or cat litter
- shovel
- tool kit
- tow rope or chain
- booster cables
- water container
- compass and road maps
- Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Try not to travel alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes.
- Dress to fit the season. Wear loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing in several layers. Trapped air insulates. Layers can be removed to avoid perspiration and subsequent chill. Outer garments should be tightly woven, water repellant, and hooded. Wear a hat. Half of your body heat loss can be from the head. Cover your mouth to protect your lungs from extreme cold. Mittens, snug at the wrist, are better than gloves. Try to stay dry.
When Caught in a Winter Storm
- When you’re outside:
- Find shelter. Try to stay dry. Cover all exposed parts of the body.
- No Shelter: Prepare a lean-to, windbreak, or snow cave for protection from the wind.
- Build a fire for heat and to attract attention. Place rocks around the fire to absorb and reflect heat.
- Do not eat snow. It will lower your body temperature. Melt it first.
- When you’re in a car or truck:
- Stay in your car or truck. Disorientation occurs quickly in wind-driven snow and cold.
- Run the motor about ten minutes each hour for heat. Open the window a little for fresh air to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked.
- Make yourself visible to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine. Tie a colored cloth (preferably red) to your antenna or door. Raise the hood indicating trouble after snow stops falling.
- Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers, and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm
- When you’re at home or in a building:
- Stay inside. When using alternate heat from a fireplace, wood stove, space heater, etc. use fire safeguards and properly ventilate. No heat. Close off unneeded rooms. Stuff towels or rags in cracks under doors. Cover windows at night.
- Eat and drink. Food provides the body with energy for producing its own heat. Keep the body replenished with fluids to prevent dehydration.
- Wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Remove layers to avoid overheating, perspiration, and subsequent chill.
Children & Cold Weather - The Johnson County SAFE KIDS Coalition offers the following information to keep kids safe especially during the cold winter months. Parents and caregivers should watch kids closely and limit outdoor playtime when temperatures are frigid, no matter how much kids protest. Making sure children dress appropriately for the weather is also crucial.
Winter Drowning:
- Supervise children in or near a pool, hot tub or any open body of water.
- Make sure pools and spas are secure.
- Allow children to skate only on ponds or lakes that have been approved for skating.
Frostbite:
- Dress children in several thin layers to help keep them dry and warm. Clothing should consist of thermal long johns, turtlenecks, one or two shirts, pants, sweater, coat, warm socks, boots, gloves or mittens and a hat.
- Set reasonable limits on outdoor play. Call children in periodically to warm up with drinks such as hot chocolate.
- When possible, avoid taking infants outdoors when it is colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Infants lose body heat quickly.
- Frostbite symptoms include numbness or pain in the fingers, toes, cheeks, or ears, skin that is blistered, hard to the touch or glossy.
If frostbite occurs:
- Take the child indoors.
- Call a doctor.
- Ask child to wiggle the affected body parts to increase blood supply to that area.
- Warm the frozen parts against the body parts to increase blood supply to that area.
- Immerse the frozen parts in warm, not hot, water. Frozen tissue is fragile and can be damaged easily. Avoid warming with high heat from radiators, fireplaces or stoves, and avoid rubbing or breaking blisters.
Ice Skating:
- Allow children to skate only on approves surfaces.
- Skate in the same direction as the crowd.
- Never skate alone.
- Throw away chewing gum or candy before skating onto the ice.
- If a child falls through the ice, he should stretch his arms over the ice and kick as if swimming, in an attempt to crawl back onto the solid ice.
Sledding:
- Make sure terrain is free of obstacles and hazards such as rocks and tree limbs, and is far from traffic.
- Use equipment that is sturdy and safely constructed. Avoid equipment with sharp or jagged edges.
- Examine handholds on sleds to be sure they are secure.
- Ensure sleds and toboggans have easy steering, non-jamming devices.
- Always use a sled with a steering mechanism.
- Sit up on the sled, with feet forward. This position lessens the chance of head injuries.
- Never ride in a sled that is being pulled by a motorized vehicle.
Snow Skiing and Snowboarding:
- Use caution when entering and exiting the ski lift.
- Do not ski out of control or go too fast.
- Be aware of other people on the slope.
- Wear a ski helmet and eye protection.
- Never ski alone. An adult should always supervise young children.
Snowmobiling:
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that operating snowmobiles is inappropriate for children under the age of 16.
- If a child is riding as a passenger on a snowmobile, be sure he/she is wearing an approved helmet.
When properly prepared, your child’s winter wonderland can be a safe and fun-filled adventure.
Severe Weather Alert/Tornado Safety
Knowing what to do in case of a tornado can provide peace of mind for you and your family/friends. The severe weather season generally runs from March to July.The first thing to be able to recognize is the difference between a “Tornado Watch” and a “Tornado Warning”.A “Tornado Watch” is issued by the Storm Prediction Center (www.spc.noaa.gov) and means that current weather conditions are right for the possible formation of tornadoes. A watch indicates that you should start monitoring the weather through TV coverage, radio or weather radio to determine the watch area in relation to your current location.A “Tornado Warning” is issued by the National Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill, MO (www.crh.noaa.gov/eax) and means that a tornado has been reported in your area. At this time you should seek immediate shelter while monitoring weather reports that relay the current position and direction of the tornado’s path. You can track weather activity in your area from this site.Indoor Sheltering
If you are indoors you should try to have a pre-designated safe spot (most businesses have identified safe spots). Consider:
- Go to the lowest level possible in a structure.
- Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
- Avoid windows and glass.
- In a basement, stay under the center support beam, a stairwell, or heavy piece of furniture for protection from falling debris. Stay out of corners; debris often collects in corners. Also - avoid areas directly underneath chimneys or heavy appliances on the first floor.
- If you have no area below ground level, utilize a hallway - closing doors off to outside rooms. Any small interior room (a bathroom or closet) away from outside walls and windows would be preferable to large rooms or rooms with outside walls.
Outside or Mobile Homes
- Get to a safe shelter if possible. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car. If caught in the open leave a vehicle and go to a low-lying area such as a ditch or ravine. Lie flat and cover your head.
- DO NOT SEEK SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES.
- Mobile homes, even if tied down, offer little protection from tornadoes and should be abandoned.
Protection from tornadoes or other severe weather is your responsibility. Depending on the warning sirens is no guarantee that you will receive the warning in time to react. Sirens are an outdoor warning system. There are many factors that can keep you from hearing the tornado siren indoors including better soundproofing of homes, loud stereos/TVs, and appliances, etc. You may also purchase a NOAA weather radio for your home. New radios are programmable for your county so that you receive only the warnings that are relevant to you. For more information, please contact the Emergency Management Department at 913-782-3038.
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This page last updated: July 20, 2006