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Ozone Action Plan

Introduction

Recognizing the continuing need to achieve the national ozone standard and the ozone requirements of the State Implementation Plan, the Dallas Public Library supports actions by the City of Dallas to provide leadership in reducing Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) and Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions during Ozone Watches and Ozone Warnings.

This plan is issued in support of City initiatives to reduce VOC and NOx emissions and to provide Library staff with guidance during Ozone Watches and Ozone Warnings.

Imminent threats to public health and safety will be addressed without regard to Ozone Watch or Ozone Warning notifications.

Ozone Watches and Warnings

Ozone Watches and Warnings are issued by the Texas Council on Environmental Quality weather conditions are right (such as high temperatures and low wind) for heavy Ozone buildup the next day so that businesses and individuals can take actions to reduce the amount of VOC emissions and thus decrease the likelihood of exceeding the Ozone limit.

  • Ozone Watch conditions are favorable for the formation of high ozone on the next day.
  • Ozone Warning conditions have reached a condition of high ozone.

Ozone action notifications will be sent to each Library facility by fax.

Watches and Warnings should be received by 4:00 p.m. on the day preceding the alert.

All employees should be reminded to check newspapers and radio and television stations for announcements of Ozone Watches and Warnings.

Mandatory Departmental Responses

  • Library public service schedules limit the number of positions that may work at home; however, in certain circumstances, designated employees may be allowed to work at home. Written authorizations to allow employees to work at home must be approved and signed by the Unit Manager and the Administrator. Documentation must be maintained to detail how the Department's mission will be accomplished by allowing a specific employee to work at home.
  • Library activities that require vehicle trips should be scheduled after 10:00 a.m.
  • Library deliveries will be delayed until 10:00 a.m. on Ozone Watch/Warning days. If Watches or Warnings are in effect on days branches submit timesheets, branches may fax timesheets to Library Human Resources, if needed, and send originals in the next regular delivery.
  • Library employees driving vehicles on official City business will restrict activities that entail idling of engines just to use air conditioning.

Departmental Options

Library public service schedules limit the number of positions that may use a four ten-hour day schedule; however, positions that are not in direct public service may be identified to work four ten-hour days rather than five eight-hour days.

All summer meetings that require vehicle trips will be scheduled after 10:00 a.m.

Individual Employee Responses

  • Each employee is encouraged to develop and use a plan for public transportation or carpooling on Ozone Watch and Warning days.
  • Employees are urged not to use vehicles during lunch.
  • Employees should cancel all non-essential vehicle trips during the day and postpone essential trips to the afternoon.

Unit Managers and Administrators should record additional costs, including costs of lowered productivity, caused by the department's response to Ozone Watches and Warnings, and maintain this documentation. Impacts on public service, i.e., delays in receipt of interagency materials for patrons, etc., should also be recorded.

Resources