Safety Manual | 2024

Purpose The purpose of this Section is to describe potential weather-related conditions that can be hazardous to Employees and to prescribe guidelines in order to keep Employees safe in such conditions. Scope This Section applies to all Company operations and Employees working in the field. Policy It is BL Companies’ policy to ensure that its Employees are knowledgeable about what to do in hazardous weather conditions. Severe Storms Because personnel can be exposed to the elements and because they can be working in and around storm water paths in the right-of-way and near catch basins and other storm water control devices, particular care should be taken to anticipate severe weather and take appropriate safety precautions. In the case of winter storm warnings, if local forecasters have posted storm warnings, work should be stopped before conditions become hazardous. Heavy Rain and Flooding Flooding can occur as streams and rivers flow over their banks, when dams or levees break, with run-off from deep snow cover, or any time there is rainfall with significant duration and intensity. Flash floods can come rapidly and unexpectedly. They can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, or when a dam or levee fails and even a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam. Employees need to be cautious during storm seasons or any time when flooding is common in the area. · Ensure that vehicles and equipment do not interfere with storm water flow. · Take appropriate precautions to avoid having any Employees in manholes or catch basins when storm flow is imminent. · Use special care to avoid slippery footing conditions on surfaces such as oily pavement or muddy embankments. · Delay moving vehicles until conditions are safe and exercise extra caution due to reduced visibility and slippery conditions. In the event of sudden and heavy rainfall, personnel should:

 Shivering;  Apathy, listlessness, and sleepiness, and sometimes rapid cooling of the body to less than 95 degrees;  Unconsciousness, glassy stare, slow pulse and slow respiratory rate;  Freezing of the extremities; and  Death. · Allow for acclimatization to cold environments or weather. · Wear several layers of warm, loose-fitting clothes. Loosely layered clothing is preferred because of the added insulating properties from entrapped air between the layers. · Always wear warm gloves to protect hands. · Wear earflaps to protect ears and ski masks to protect the face in especially cold or windy weather. · Make sure to protect feet with layers of thick socks underneath boots. · The fingers, toes, nose tips, ears and cheeks should be periodically exercised to keep them warm and to detect any numb or hard areas indicative of frostbite. If an Employee believes he/she has been affected by frostbite, immediately cover the area with blankets and other warm materials and get inside. Drink warm fluids and submerge the injured area in warm water. Obtain medical assistance. NEVER rub the affected area or use a hot water bottle or heating lamp. · Eat many carbohydrates and drink plenty of liquids (but never alcohol). · Wear adequate clothing. · Remain dry at all times. If you get wet, immediately remove wet clothing and change into dry clothes as soon as possible. · Avoid especially cold weather for long periods of time. · Rest whenever possible. Do not overexert yourself. · Obtain medical attention immediately if you suspect the onset of hypothermia. To help safeguard against cold injury: To prevent hypothermia:

7.6 Weather-Related Safety Concerns

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Section 7 // occupational health programs //