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
