FIELD SAFETY

INTRODUCTION

Personnel deployed to assist in public health ESF8 events may be exposed to many during the initial hours following arrival at the scene. Life safety of Responders and the public is the number one priority. Safety is everyone’s job. The Team Leader has the primary responsibility to ensure good safety practices are maintained throughout the operation. Each team member must recognize and practice safety procedures to ensure their individual, as well as the team's, welfare.

If you become ill or an injury does occur while deployed, please let the on-scene point of contact know. In some cases, Workman’s Compensation might be necessary. Please talk with your on- scene point of contact for further information. Additionally, the Employee Assistance Program EAP is available to you and your family at no cost. The EAP line is available 24/7 at (800) 860-2058. Participating in the EAP will in no way jeopardize an employee’s job security. Information concerning an employee’s participation in the program is strictly confidential and independent of personnel or other public records.

BASIC CLOTHING AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT • Always have identification clearly visible. • Review specific incident safety and health recommendations. • Wear laced leather boots with slip-resistant soles. • Use gloves to protect hands. • Wear high visibility protective vest/clothing. • Wear jeans, cargo pants, or any other protective pants. Avoid wearing shorts. • Wear sunscreen and sunglasses when working extended hours in the sun. • Use insect repellent when exposed to insect-occupied environment. • Use eye protection when in dusty environments. • Use hearing protection when working near high noise level equipment such as helicopters.

FIRST AID

Prompt should be given for all injuries. Teams should always be aware of quickest access to First Aid Kit. Notify Team Leader/Safety Officer of any injuries/illnesses.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS

HEAT RELATED ILLNESS PREVENTION AND RECOGNITION Heat stress from exertion or hot environments, places Responders at risk for illnesses such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, or heat cramps. Protect yourself from heat-related illness by avoiding heavy exertion, extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible.

When these cannot be avoided, take the following preventative steps: ■ Monitor your physical condition and that of your team for signs or symptoms of heat illnesses.

Updated May 3, 2018 ■ Designate a buddy and ask how they feel periodically. ■ Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton. ■ Avoid non-breathable synthetic clothing. ■ Gradually build up to heavy work. ■ Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of day. ■ Take more breaks when doing heavier work especially in high heat and humidity. ■ Take breaks in the shade or a cool area. ■ Drink water frequently. Drink enough water that you never become thirsty. ■ Be aware that protective clothing or personal protective equipment (PPE) may increase the risk of heat-related illnesses. Heat Stroke Heat Stroke is a condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to control its and can cause death or permanent disability.

Symptoms ■ High body temperature ■ Confusion ■ Loss of coordination ■ Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating ■ Throbbing headache ■ Seizures, coma

First Aid ■ Request immediate medical assistance ■ Move the person to a cool, shaded area ■ Remove excess clothing and apply cool water to their body

Heat Exhaustion Heat Exhaustion is the body’s response to an excessive loss of water and salt, usually through sweating.

Symptoms ■ Rapid heart beat ■ Heavy sweating ■ Extreme weakness or fatigue ■ Dizziness ■ Nausea, vomiting ■ Irritability ■ Fast, shallow ■ Slightly elevated body temperature

First Aid ■ Rest in a cool area ■ Drink plenty of water or other cool beverages ■ Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath

Heat Cramps Heat Cramps affect Responders who sweat a lot during strenuous activity. Sweating depletes the body’s salt and moisture levels.

Symptoms ■ Muscle cramps, pain, or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs

Page 2 of 4 Updated May 3, 2018 First Aid ■ Stop all activity and sit in a cool place ■ Drink clear juice or a sports beverage, or drink water with food ■ Avoid salt tablets ■ Do not return to strenuous work for a few hours after the cramps subside ■ Seek medical attention if you have the following: heart problems, are on a low-sodium diet, or if the cramps do not subside within one hour

HYPOTHERMIA is a condition of subnormal body temperature caused by exposure to cold and aggravated by numerous factors. Hypothermia usually occurs on a cold, wet, windy day with at or below freezing.

Symptoms ■ Shivering, but importantly as hypothermia worsens shivering stops ■ Worsening coordination difficulties ■ Slurred speech ■ Drowsiness ■ Significant confusion ■ Weak pulse ■ Slow, shallow breathing

First Aid ■ Get adequate rest ■ Eat nutritional supplements between meals ■ Use proper clothing and a sleeping bag that is wind resistant, maintains body heat, and limits skin exposure ■ Always anticipate bad weather and dress accordingly or carry warmer clothes with you ■ Note effects of cold and wind - Most hypothermia cases develop between 30° F and 50° F ■ Cover the head and neck to prevent heat loss ■ Keep active to maintain the body's

SUSPECTED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

Hazardous materials are being encountered with increasing frequency in response situations. Hazardous materials may be industrial or agricultural chemicals, explosive substances, military ordnance, drug labs, etc.

• Since many Responders are neither trained or equipped to identify and deal with hazardous materials, your primary responsibility is to prevent yourself and others from being adversely affected or injured. • If you encounter what you suspect may be hazardous materials: • Stay upwind, uphill, and avoid breathing vapors. • Isolate the area. • Warn others in the immediate vicinity. • If you do not have specific technical expertise to properly respond to the situation, report it to the experts. Do not get personally involved.

POWER LINE HAZARDS

Many types of response events result in downed or drooping power lines. Even deactivated transmission and distribution lines may continue to hold charges. When around downed or drooping power lines:

Page 3 of 4 Updated May 3, 2018 • DON'T drive under power lines with long radio antennas. • DON'T fuel vehicles under power lines. • DON'T go near or move downed power lines. • DON'T approach power lines when standing water is present.

If a power line falls on your vehicle, DON'T leave the vehicle. If for some other life-threatening reason you must leave the vehicle, jump clear. DON'T hang on! Keep your feet together and bunny hop away.

The Buddy System Team Leader (s) should ensure that a buddy system is used during all phases of deployment. Enforcing the buddy system reduces the chances of preventable accidents involving a team member. Follow these guidelines for the buddy system during deployment of public health response teams. 1. NO ONE GOES ANYWHERE OR DOES ANYTHING ALONE! o When off duty, all team members should travel in pairs when not in the shelter/work rest area. o When on duty, pair team members according to job or work area so that team members can keep an eye on each other. 2. Consider setting a buddy check-in time o Every 30 minutes o Report any missed check in to Law Enforcement/Security and the team leader immediately! 3. All buddy teams not in the rest area or at a duty station should carry at least two (2) communications sources (Radios, Cell Phones, Sat Phone, Etc.) 4. Buddy teams should notify the on-duty Team Leader if they are leaving the shelter/work area for any reason. 5. Team Leaders will conduct Personnel Accountability Checks and report to the immediate supervisor as directed.

Safety is usually a matter of common sense. Use it and you will keep yourself and other Team members out of harm’s way and get the job done safely.

Page 4 of 4 Updated May 3, 2018