Posts Tagged: Safety

Safety - Winter weather advisory

Dear Colleagues,

Through Wednesday, California is expecting rounds of heavy rain, mountain snow, high winds, with potential for flooding, downed trees/debris and power outages. Please stay safe.

If you live near a river, levee or area prone to flooding, gather your essentials so you'll be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. You'll have some peace of mind if you have gathered items in advance to be away from your home if evacuation orders are given by authorities. Also, prepare for power outages by having electronic devices charged, vehicles fueled, and the ability to prepare food and stay warm.

This is a good time to review your procedures for preparedness, such as the ability to stay informed and to be able to communicate. See Safety Note #203 for winter storm preparedness tips.

Click here to view the Cal-OES weather threat briefing.

A Safety Note series in the category of “Disaster/Emergency Information” is available at https://safety.ucanr.edu/Safety_Notes/- recommended are notes #166-169, #189 and #203.

For current weather alert information, Cal/OSHA recommends the NOAA Weather Alerts page at http://alerts.weather.gov/cap/ca.php?x=1.

David Alamillo
Environmental Health & Safety Specialist

ANR 2nd St Building now open

Power has been restored to the 2nd Street Building in Davis and it is fully operational. If you are planning to work at the ANR Building, you may do so.

2nd Street is closed currently to all traffic for a section of road west of our office, between L St and Cantrill Drive. It is not known how long this closure will remain in effect. However, the ANR Building is accessible from 2nd Street from the east (coming from the Mace Blvd exit off I-80) and from Pena Drive.

Rainy conditions are predicted to continue throughout the week, but hopefully we have gotten through the worst of it.

Stay safe and dry and follow these winter storm preparedness tips: https://ucanr.edu/sites/safety/files/378115.pdf.

Brian Oatman
Director, Risk & Safety Services

 

CLOSED Jan. 9: ANR 2nd St Building power out

To all UC ANR colleagues:

Recent storms have knocked out power at 2801 2nd Street in Davis and 2nd Street is currently closed to all traffic. PG&E estimates that power will be out at the UC ANR office all day on Monday, Jan. 9, with an estimated restoration time of 11 p.m. on Jan. 9. With changing conditions, the outage could be shorter or longer.

Due to this circumstance, the office will be closed and employees based at 2801 2nd Street in Davis should work remotely. If you cannot work due to power outages or other circumstances, notify your supervisor.

We are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as information is available. Please look for a message on Monday afternoon to confirm status of the office for Tuesday.

Thank you and stay safe.

Brian Oatman
Director, Risk & Safety Services

Winter storms continue; work remotely Jan. 9 and 10 if appropriate

Weather forecasts predict another series of storms to affect most of the state next week, bringing heavy rains and potential for flooding in some areas. Based on this information, for Monday and Tuesday ((Jan. 9 and 10)), we are encouraging supervisors to demonstrate flexibility to allow employees who can work remotely to do so. This can help reduce the number of employees who need to commute to work during the storms, avoiding unsafe road conditions.

Please Take the Following Actions

1. Consult with your supervisor to determine if remote work is appropriate for your duties and local conditions.
2. Understand that some employees' job duties require them to be on site to serve clientele, maintain operations, or to keep up essential functions. Needs may shift due to changing circumstances.
3. Whether you are working on site or remotely, please use the tips and resources below to maintain preparedness and safety in your work activities. 

Storm Safety Tips and Resources

• Monitor weather conditions on the National Weather Service website and enter your ZIP code or city to get your local forecast and alerts.
• Be prepared for power outages – keep flashlights handy with extra batteries and keep phones and devices charged.
• Make sure you have adequate food, batteries, pet supplies and medications.
• The state is advising residents to avoid non-essential travel, but if you need to venture out, do not drive, walk, or swim through any flood waters, even if it looks shallow.
• Hazards include fallen trees and power poles, serious flooding, landslides, mud and rocks on the road, or pavement slipping.
• Follow these Winter Storm Preparedness tips: https://ucanr.edu/sites/safety/files/378115.pdf
• Stay Informed. Use local emergency alert systems to stay up to date on conditions. See Safety Note #167 for tips on staying informed for emergencies https://ucanr.edu/sites/safety/files/299075.pdf

Questions
If you have any questions about remote work, contact your supervisor or ANR Human Resources. If you have questions about emergency preparedness or safety, contact ANR Risk & Safety Services. If your ANR location experiences damage or must close due to weather conditions or power outages, please inform Brian Oatman at (530) 304-2054.

Winter storm alert

California is expecting another major storm beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 4, through Jan. 5. This storm is expected to bring rain statewide, with the highest rainfall totals and potential local flooding in Northern California.

In light of threat to roads and freeways in many areas, ANR's emergency management team suggests that supervisors may demonstrate maximum flexibility to reduce the number of employees on streets and to minimize the number of employees who need to commute to work during the storm. Local and regional power outages are likely during the storm and employees working remotely may lose power/internet/cell connectivity.

Please Take the Following Actions

1. Work within your units to identify staff who will be designated to keep onsite essential services running. Needs may transition due to changing circumstances. Please make every effort to provide as much notice to your employees, stakeholders and customers as possible.
2. Employees who can work from home on Wednesday, Jan. 4, and Thursday, Jan. 5, should be encouraged to do so to the extent possible. 

Additional Information and Resources
If you must work onsite, please follow these tips:

• Avoid parking under trees or power lines, which could fall during heavy winds. The university is not responsible for any damage caused to your vehicle by material falling from trees.
• Avoid walking near or under trees.
• Do not enter or drive through standing or moving water.
• Minimize outdoor work as much as possible.
• Monitor weather conditions on the National Weather Service website and road conditions/closures on your local county public works websites.
• Be prepared for power outages – keep flashlights handy with extra batteries and keep phones charged.
• Stay Informed During an Emergency. Use local emergency alert systems to stay up to date on conditions. See Safety Note #167 for tips on staying informed for emergencies https://ucanr.edu/sites/safety/files/299075.pdf

Questions
If you have any questions about employees working remotely, please contact ANR Human Resources. If you have questions about emergency preparedness or safety, contact ANR Risk & Safety Services. If your office must close due to weather conditions or power outages, please inform Brian Oatman at (530) 304-2054.

 

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