Campus Journal Alert: UNH Declares Excessive Heat Alert Monday, July 18

The UNH Department of Environmental Health and Safety has determined that the temperature has exceeded the permissible levels and therefore the Excessive Heat Guidelines below are in effect Monday, July 18, 2005. Outside weather conditions are such that we need to implement the attached excessive heat guidelines for our indoor work areas that do not have air conditioning. Please contact Human Resources if you have questions.

Excessive Heat Guidelines
When it has been determined by the UNH Department of Environmental Health and Safety that the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature has exceeded the Permissible Heat Exposure Threshold Limit Value (TLV) the Director of EHS will inform the President or her designee and the following guidelines will be in effect.

All faculty, staff, students, and guests attending University of New Hampshire sponsored camps and/or other outdoor activities as well as those sponsoring such programs are advised to use caution.

Outdoor Activities
Activity should be modified to either be inside or in a shaded area and schedules may also be modified. If this is not possible, staff and others should be required to take frequent breaks and remain well hydrated. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists has made the following recommendations: For activity requiring heavy or moderate exertion individuals should be on a 25 percent work/75 percent rest regimen each hour and for work requiring light exertion individuals should be on a 50 percent work/50 percent rest regimen each hour.

Indoor Activities
For staff and others active in areas without air conditioning, the temperature and humidity in individual offices will vary as will individual tolerances for heat. Supervisors may consider relocation to an air-conditioned area if available, such as Dimond Library, staff may work from home if practical, or staff may simply be released for the remainder of the day.

General Information
In both of the above instances supervisors are free and encouraged to send staff home with pay if their work environment has reached intolerable and unhealthy levels due to excessive heat. Staff will not be required to use leave time/earned time in this instance.