Safety Tips from I-Safety
Spotlight Tips of the Week
Over the next few weeks, it is likely that the U of I community will experience intermittent smoke outdoors due to wildfires in the region. This outdoor air contaminant can have negative effects on personal health and may trigger restrictions of outdoor activities.
When smoke is on the horizon, an Air Quality Index (AQI) helps to identify potential health risks, who may be impacted and at what point specific actions should be taken. Keep in mind that indoor air quality is not part of the AQI, but wildfire smoke can have an impact on indoor air quality.
What is an AQI?
The Air Quality Index is a measure of multiple contaminants in the air outside. It can be forecast over a few days and generally fluctuates based on temperature and wind direction. The AQI is a combination of ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, like smoke or smog. Because the index is a combination of air contaminants, a spike in one or more specific contaminants can drive the overall index upward.
The AQI is represented as a single number on a scale of 0-500. The scale provides different levels at which specific health hazards and symptoms can be expected. In some cases restrictions on outdoor activities is advised. For Moscow, readings are obtained from a weather station on Highway 8. Additional information on these levels and the AQI scale can be found at the links below:
- Idaho DEQ Real-Time Interactive Map
- AirNow Air Quality Index Basics
- EPA Historical Air Quality Index Report
How to Use the AQI
Understanding the AQI can help you decide what precautions to take while outdoors. When smoke is the known contaminant that is driving the AQI upward, you can take measures to protect yourself from particulate matter or strenuous activity outdoors. Sensitive groups should take extra precautions and be mindful of how the change in outdoor air quality might impact personal health. These groups include:
- People with heart or lung diseases
- People with asthma
- The elderly
- Young children
- People who to perform strenuous work, exercise or training outdoors
Additional Information
For more information, see the Wildfire Smoke FAQ page on the Environmental Health and Safety website. Additional resources can be used for planning and prevention at the EPA Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality page, the Idaho DEQ Air Quality Index, and AirNow.gov. A comprehensive downloadable guide to the Air Quality Index is available from the EPA here: Air Quality Index - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health.
Environmental Health and Safety wants you to safely enjoy your barbeque. Please submit a BBQ/Grilling Authorization form as early as possible before your event. We can provide assistance in planning a safe location and meeting other university requirements listed below. At a minimum, we need to know a barbecue is taking place on campus. We receive many calls regarding billowing smoke from concerned members of the Vandal community. Bonfires and open burning on campus is prohibited.
The following requirements must be met for every barbecue event on campus:
- Grills are allowed only when used a minimum of 10 feet from buildings, flammable landscaping or other readily ignitable fuel sources.
- Grills must be placed on a hard, noncombustible surface (concrete, asphalt, etc.).
- Grills must always be attended when lit.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher handy. Loaners are available from EHS.
- A metal drip pan is required to be used under the barbecue to catch grease.
- Grills are limited to propane, pellet or charcoal fuels, no deep frying allowed.
- Ensure charcoal remains (for charcoal grills) are completely extinguished when finished.
- Do not dispose of charcoal in university dumpsters, trash containers or on the landscaping.
- Do not dispose of spent fuel canisters in dumpsters or other trash containers.
- Do not bring grills into buildings until cooled.
- Propane tanks are not allowed in university buildings.
- Lighter fluid must be properly stored as a flammable liquid.
Outdoor grilling on campus is restricted to university-affiliated departments and recognized student groups. Individuals and unauthorized groups may not conduct grilling on campus, except for tailgating during football games in designated parking lots. If you live on campus, University Housing has guidelines related to university apartments and residence halls; please contact them directly for this information.
When planning your decorations for Homecoming or Halloween, think fire safety. Buy decorations that are flame-resistant and place them where they will not obscure exit signs, exit doors, emergency lights or fire extinguishers. Keep them away from heat sources, do not place on doors leading to building corridors or within the corridor itself and keep them from blocking exits or creating trip hazards in walkways.
Use LED lighting for jack-o-lanterns and effects. All decorative lighting should be U.L. listed and of the type that does not produce heat. Do not run extension cords from one room to another, and never string cords across doorways or walkways. Remember that candles and use of open flame (e.g., candles, luminaria and incense) in buildings is strictly prohibited.
Your help in keeping our campus safe for students, employees and visitors is appreciated. Following these reminders and the related university policies help to avoid tragedy when accidents happen.
Culture of Questioning
Questioning certain practices with safety in mind is an essential attitude to keep you and the rest of the Vandal family safe. Questioning challenges the complacency that grows in familiar situations and drives change. Questioning safety practices, or perhaps a lack thereof, is vital to developing a culture of safety at the University of Idaho. The goal is for everyone to return home at the end of every day just as healthy as when they arrived on campus.
Safety issues are often recognized but go unreported because a person doesn't know whom to contact or assumes that someone else is already taking care of it. At U of I, we want everyone to challenge these assumptions, question the situation and report the issues. The Report a Safety Concern form was created just for this purpose. It allows for anonymous reporting if you choose, as well as the option to upload an image of the safety problem when appropriate. It is available for anyone to use, and concerns will be directed to the proper campus unit to correct the problem.
Students and employees are the eyes and ears of the community, and your help is essential. Get involved in the safety training opportunities available to you, ask questions if you have a concern about a procedure, take part in safety inspections and report issues right away - issues cannot be corrected if no one knows about them. Timely questioning and reporting can prevent accidents and near misses. If an accident or near miss does occur, report this as well; investigating the reason will help avoid another injury.
As a supervisor, you have additional influence - lead by example and ensure safety is a core value in your team's activities. You are encouraged to do workplace inspections, ensure your employees are current on their safety training, talk regularly with your employees and discuss accident investigation reports with them and the U of I EHS staff. EHS has many resources available for you and the EHS staff can assist all supervisors in their safety efforts.
Our Vandal culture is how we think and act in all our activities. Avoiding complacency and continuously challenging existing conditions that might pose a safety risk allows us as a community to identify discrepancies and take appropriate actions before an accident or near miss occurs. Put safety first and we can achieve the safest possible working and learning environment for our Vandal family.