I. Introduction

• Welcome to the Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiments site.

• This site is managed by a national laboratory called Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). Argonne is located approximately 30 miles southwest of Chicago, IL.
  
  
• It is very important that you work in a safe manner and follow all safety requirements while at this facility. ANL, OSHA, NFPA, EPA, and your own safety requirements apply while at this site.
  

• Please be sure to sign the visitor sign in log each time you come to the site. Likewise, be sure to sign out if you are leaving for any reason even if you plan to come back to the site.

• It is very important that you sign in and out so that we can account for you in the event of a site emergency.

• The visitor sign in log is located in the field trailer.

• When performing work at locations other then at the central site, phone contact may be used to communicate with the site scientist after your initial sign in. You must have a cell phone when working at remote sites and the number of that phone must be given to the site scientist so you can be contacted in the event of an emergency.
  

III. Dress Code and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

A. Dress code --Will wear:

• Long pants (no shorts)
  
  
• Shirt (may be short sleeve as long as you have 4-inch sleeves or more. No Tank Tops
  
  
• A shoe that has a substantial sole, and if out in the fields, you should wear a shoe with ankle support.
  No sandals or thongs!

• Personal protective equipment as required for the work being performed. Hard hats and safety glasses are required during construction activities by all persons in the designated construction zone.
  

IV. Smoking/Alcohol/Drugs/Fire Arms

• Smoking is prohibited indoors. Smoking is only allowed in areas designated by the site scientist.

• Cigarette filters and butts must be disposed of in the provided receptacles.

• Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, firearms and explosive devices are prohibited on all sites.
  

V. Hazards

During your visit we want you to be aware of some of the hazards that you might encounter and also become familiar with safety rules designed to mitigate them. Although we have divided the hazards into four general categories, this is not an all-inclusive list.

• Electrical
  
• Chemical
  
• Non-ionizing Radiation
  
• Natural
  

V. 1 Electrical Hazards

Equipment must always be de-energized before performing maintenance. Hot work is not allowed and if an instrument has capacitors, they must be bled off before work is performed.

We abide by OSHA's Lock Out/ Tag Out Standard and you are required to do the same.

The standard basically states that you will lock out and tag out all energy-producing devices prior to working on them, so that they can not be re-energized accidentally. You should provide your own locks and tags and/or make arrangements with the site scientist to ensure the availability of same prior to starting work.

All outdoor receptacles, receptacles 6 feet from exterior doors, and outlets around sinks must be protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs). When using an extension cord a GFCI is always required. Portable GFCIs may be used.

If you need to excavate or penetrate the ground or trailer wall on this site, you must have authorization and a permit from the site scientist. All utilities must be identified and located before the start of said work. Hand digging is required at all times when digging within three feet of buried utilities.

V. 2 Chemical

We abide by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. Haz/Com is also known as the "Employee Right To Know Law." It may be called the Chemical Hygiene Plan at your laboratory/university/company.

This standard means you have the right to know of chemicals that we use on site and we have the right to know what chemicals you are using at our site. This is accomplished through the manufacturer's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), labels on products or containers, and the education that this standard exists.

If you are bringing chemicals to our site, you must provide a list of them to the site scientist. Include all chemical items including those as benign as distilled or drinking water. Remember, you must have the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet(s) for all chemicals that you bring to the site.

All chemicals brought to the site by you must be taken with you when you leave. All wastes must be properly disposed of by you.

Proper handling and storage of flammable liquids and compressed gases is required at all times.

Chemicals that we use at this site, in substantial quantity, are helium, liquid nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.

Helium, an asphyxiant, is used to launch the weather balloons. Helium cylinders are stored and used outside.

Liquid nitrogen is used to cool certain instruments. It is a cryogenic material and its hazards are asphyxiation and burns. The main dewars are stored outside and small amounts of liquid nitrogen are taken inside the trailers in small dewars. Personnel are required to wear PPE, as outlined in the MSDS, when using liquid nitrogen.

V. 3 Non - Ionizing radiation

This site contains radio frequency, microwave and laser radiation. All are well contained, and appropriate engineering controls are in place to protect us. However, if you plan to work on an instrument and must disable safety engineering controls (e.g., a laser interlock) you must inform and gain approval from the site scientist before the start of said work.

V.4 Natural Hazards

This site is located in rural Kansas, thus there is a myriad of natural hazards one might encounter. Some of them are:

• Terrain
  
  
  • Rural areas have uneven ground surfaces, protruding rocks, animal holes, tree branches, and other vegetation which may make walking somewhat difficult. Remember to always look before taking a step and avoid possible tripping hazards.
    
    

• Spiders
  
  
  • The Black Widow is a small, shiny spider, less than half an inch long but with a leg span of up to two inches. It has a red hourglass shape on its underside. A bite from a Black Widow spider can cause severe pain and muscle spasms, heavy sweating, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, tightness in the chest, breathing difficulty and a sharp rise in blood pressure.
    
  
  
  • The Brown Recluse spider is brown or brown-yellow in color and has a dark violin-shaped area on the back. The brown recluse is found under rocks and woodpiles as well as closets and attics. A bite from the brown recluse can cause severe pain, reddening, blistering, and death of the tissue followed by deep ulceration at the site of the wound. The bite may not be noticed at first. Pain at the bite site begins one to four hours later.
    
  
  
  • If you should get bitten by a spider, try to identify the type of spider. If possible, kill the spider without smashing it beyond recognition. Inform the site scientist and seek medical attention for your bite.
    

• Snakes
  
  
  • Kansas has many different species of snakes. Most are nonpoisonous. The bite of a nonpoisonous snake can cause pain and infection, but is rarely serious. There are three types of poisonous snakes in Kansas and their bites can cause serious illness and even death. They are:

    a. Eastern/Western/Pygmy Diamondback Rattlesnakes
    b. Water Moccasin
    c. Copperhead
    
    

  • First aid steps to remember if bitten

    a. Stay calm
    b. Look at snake for identification (shape of head, color and markings)
    c. Seek help
    d. Keep the bite at the level of the heart
    e. Do not incise the bite
    
    

• Insects
  
  
  • Ticks
    
    a. The Lone Star Tick, the American Dog Tick, the Brown Dog Tick, and the Black Legged Tick or Deer Tick are some common ticks. Most ticks are capable of transmitting a variety of diseases, including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Colorado Tick Fever, Lyme Disease and even Tularemia (a disease that causes toxins in the blood; high fever is a symptom).

    b. First aid -- remove ticks with tweezers. Gently grasp the tick behind the head and remove with a slow, steady pull. Wash the area thoroughly with soap and water.

    Mark the date of the bite on the calendar and also report it to the site scientist. If any flu-like symptoms, such as fever, muscle pain, extreme fatigue, headache, chills, joint pain, swollen glands or a rash appear, see your doctor. Lyme disease symptoms may not develop for up to two months.

    c. To avoid ticks, tuck pant legs into socks and spray an insect repellent on pants.

    d. Perform a self check for ticks at the end of the work day or at the completion of work in areas that contain ticks.
    
    

  • Fleas/Chiggers
    
    a. To avoid exposure to chiggers and fleas, do not walk in uncultivated areas and heavy vegetation. Spray an insect repellent on pants. High boots and socks mitigate chigger bites.
    
  
  
  • Gnats/Mosquitoes

    a. Gnats - Although most gnats are not bothersome, Kansas has a gnat (Buffalo Gnat) that bites much like a mosquito. To repel these gnats it is recommended to use Avon Skin So Soft or vanilla extract.

    b. Mosquitoes - To avoid contact with mosquitoes, spray an insect repellent on the outside of clothing and on bare skin if repellent is designated for it.
    
    

  • Blister Beetles
    
    a. Blister Beetles are small insects that have yellow and black stripes running the entire length of the body. The bite produces immediate pain, redness, itching and swelling that can persist for hours.
    

• Hornets/Wasp/Bees/Scorpions
  
  
  • Hornets/Wasps/Bees
    
    a. Bees have a stinger attached to a poison sac that is left in the wound when a sting occurs. Wasps and hornets may sting repeatedly.
    
    b. First aid -- remove the stinger from the wound by scraping a blunt object, such as a dull blade, across the wound. Symptoms usually result within a few hours. If symptoms such as difficulty breathing or rapid, severe swelling occur, seek medical attention immediately.

  • Scorpions

    a. All scorpions in Kansas can produce a painful sting, but serious life threatening symptoms are rare. First aid is similar to that given for a wasp sting.
    
    

• Cattle/Electric Cattle Fences
  
  
  • At times the pasture outside of the central compound may contain cattle. Cattle are most times docile animals. Please do not provoke them.
    
  
  
  • Because of the cattle there may be a single-strand electric fence wire surrounding some areaa. Please be careful not to touch this wire. If contact is made when the fence is energized, a mild shock is likely. All electric fences have gates with an insulated opener that should be used to access the fenced area. Remember to close the fence after you enter or leave.
    

• Badgers/Skunks/Coyotes
  
  
  • The badger is fairly prevalent in most parts of Kansas. They are a small (average 20 lbs.) mammal that feeds on small rodents, fruits and roots. They have very sharp teeth and long, sharp claws and can be quite aggressive. They are a defensive animal and will usually only attack if provoked. The badger, in cooler weather, will make a burrow and remain there for several months. The opening to the burrow is six to eight inches in diameter. Should you spot a badger hole, keep your distance and do not put your feet or hands in the hole.
    
    
  • The skunk is fairly prevalent in most parts of Kansas. This small mammal produces a very unpleasant odor when excited or threatened. Please keep your distance from these small mammals. If bitten by a skunk (many carry rabies), you should seek medical attention immediately.
    
    
  • The coyote is fairly prevalent in most parts of Kansas. Coyotes are a small dog-like mammal. They attack small animals and livestock. For the most part they are very shy and afraid of humans. They do carry rabies,so if bitten, you should seek immediate medical attention.
    
    

• Weather
  
  
  • You must be aware of the weather conditions at all times while at the site. Outside work is not allowed during lightning storms. In the event of a severe thunder storm and/or a tornado warning, you must cease work and seek shelter. It is your responsibility to locate the nearest available tornado shelter. In the event an unexpected tornado occurs, you should lay flat in the nearest depression until the tornado has passed. The site scientist has the authority to stop work, at his discretion, during severe weather activity. Always check in with the site scientist after a storm has passed for accountability.

  • Cold Weather exposure.

    There are two main personnel effects cold weather can produce.

    a. Hypothermia

    Hypothermia results when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. When this situation first starts to occur the blood vessels start to constrict, and hands and feet are first affected. Next, involuntary shivers begin to occur. The shivering is your body's first warning sign. Further heat loss produces speech difficulty, forgetfulness, loss of manual dexterity, collapse, and finally death.

    b. Frost bite.

    As your blood vessels constrict to keep vital organs warm, hands and feet can experience frost bite. Hands and feet are the first body parts affected. Frost bite begins with a burning sensation in your hands and feet and then enters a numbing phase. The numbing phase is very dangerous and actual frost bite may occur.

    c. Cold Weather Exposure Prevention.
    
    

    (1) Dress warmly, wear layered clothing. Cover all exposed flesh. If clothes become wet, change as soon as possible.

    (2) Take frequent breaks in a heated area. Do not drink alcoholic beverages.

• Hot weather exposure
  There are three heat-related illnesses that hot weather exposure can produce. They are:
  
  a. Heat stroke is life threatening. The victim's temperature control mechanisms stop working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may occur if the body is not cooled quickly.
  
  
  (1) Symptoms include dry, red skin, hot, and very high body temperature.

  (2) First aid is to cool the person down as quickly as possible and call for medical help.
  
  b. Heat exhaustion is less dangerous than heat stroke. It typically occurs when people work in a warm, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.
  
  
  (1) Symptoms include cool, moist, pale, or red skin or heavy sweating, dilated pupils, headache, nausea, and dizziness.
  
  
  (2) First aid is to get the person in a cooler place, place him or her on their back with feet elevated. Cool by fanning or using cold packs and give 1/2 cup water every 15 minutes.
  
  c. Heat Cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Heat cramps usually involve the abdominal muscles or the legs. It is generally thought that the loss of water and salt from heavy sweating causes cramps.
  
  d. Hot-weather illness prevention:
  
  
  (1) Drink plenty of liquids such as water, fruit and vegetable juices, and electrolyte solutions. Avoid soda pop, alcohol, and coffee.
  
  
  (2) Restrict strenuous activity during hot periods.

  (3) Wear loose fitting, light colored clothing, preferably made of natural fibers such as cotton. Man-made fibers do not absorb water well. Wear a hat.
  

• First Aid Kits
  
  
  1. A first aid kit is located in the field trailer. It can be used for a myriad of minor mishaps and injuries including abrasions, contusions, punctures, and burns.

• Eye Wash Stations
  
  
  1. An eye wash station is located in the field trailer. It is to be used when chemicals spill on your skin or to flush a foreign object from your eye. Do not use if the tamper seal is broken or the solution is cloudy. Do not drink the solution.

• Fire Extinguishers
  
  
  1. A fire extinguisher is located in the field trailer. It is a dry chemical, multi-class (ABC) type. This means it can be used for most types of fires. Listed below is the definition of each class of fire extinguisher.
  
  
  Class A - Ordinary Combustibles; examples: trash, wood, and paper.

  Class B - Flammable and Combustible Liquids; examples: gasoline, diesel and grease.

  Class C - Electrical Equipment; examples: computers, outlets and cords.

  To use a fire extinguisher remember the acronym PASS:
  
  

  P - Pull the pin
  
  A - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
  
  S - Squeeze the trigger
  
  S - Spray in a sweeping motion
  
  

• Rest Rooms
  
  
  • Portable bathroom facilities are available for use at the site.

    
    

VIII. Safety Violations/Discrepancy

The site scientist, construction field representative, and/or the ANL safety coordinator have the authority to cease operations of any activity that is in violation of federal, state, or local safety regulations or is in violation of the above-mentioned items covered in this orientation. Any person has the authority to cease operations that are immediately dangerous to life and health (Imminent Danger). The site scientist must be immediately notified of the incident.

IX. Accidents/Injuries

All accidents, injuries, and/or near misses must be reported to the site scientist as soon as possible after they occur. In the absence of the site scientist please report same to the ANL safety coordinator at 630-252-2885.