Thermal Stress (Heat Advisory)

Important Documents, Resources, and Links

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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 his/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.

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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% work/75% rest regimen each hour and for work requiring light exertion individuals should be on a 50% work/50% rest regimen each hour.

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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.

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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.

If excessive heat is declared, it will be communicated via a Directed Communications email.

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