Court Officer Academy Student Court Officer Manual: Weather Regulations

The Trial Court Academy recognizes that training may be affected by weather conditions. The high temperatures and humidity of the summer or the extreme cold during winter months may create a reason to modify the amount of time that outdoor training is conducted. For this reason, a system of weather advisory placards will be displayed.

A. Weather Placard System

Color-coded placards are used as a placard warning system to help prevent heat and cold related injuries.

These placards will be prominently displayed on the classroom wall by a member of the Health & Wellness staff.

The remaining placards will be securely stored in the Health & Wellness Unit. The standard measuring conditions for temperature are two meters above the ground and shielded from direct sunlight.

Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) will be taken and the Warm Weather Placard System will be used, when the WBGT reading is 82 degrees or above to reduce Heat stress injuries. Otherwise, the Ambient air temperature in F degrees + plus Wind velocity will be taken and the Cold Weather Placard System will be used to reduce Cold stress.

Temperature readings will be taken hourly by a member of the Health & Wellness staff.

B. Warm Weather Placard System: Green – Black Placards

Heat conditions are determined by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT). WBGT uses heat conditions to determine required water intake and work/rest cycles.

The WBGT takes into account air temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation by measuring three temperatures:

• Air temperature is measured by a standard dry bulb (DB) thermometer.
• Relative humidity is measured with a web bulb (WB) thermometer.
• Solar radiation is indicated by the globe (G) temperature, which is measured with a thermometer positioned inside a black metal sphere. The heat stress index is calculated as WGBT = (0.1 x DB temperature) + (0.7 x WB temperature) + (0.2 x G temperature).

When the WBGT index reaches the temperature indicated, the corresponding placard will be raised. For example, a WBGT index reading of 86 degrees F requires that a yellow placard be raised. Note if wearing body armor add 5 degrees F to WBGT in humid conditions.

i. Green Placard – Low Risk

WBGT index of 82 degrees F to 84.9 degrees F

All activities will proceed as usual; however, instructors will monitor Student Court Officers as to their physical conditions. Heavy exercises for Student Court Officers will be conducted with caution and under constant supervision. Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible with continued exposure.

Drink 1 quart of cool water per hour.

Use 75% work and 25% rest for outdoor work (Example, 45 minutes work and 15 minutes rest).

ii. Yellow Placard – Medium Risk

WBGT index of 85 degrees F to 87.9 degrees F

Intense physical activities such as endurance running (1/2 mile or longer), intense callisthenic conditioning, aerobic conditioning, fitness testing, and similar activities are to be modified to reduce sun exposure and should be strictly supervised. Heat cramps are likely. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are also possible with continued exposure. Outdoor classes in the sun are to be avoided.

Drink 1-2 quarts of cool water per hour.

Use 50% work and 50% rest. (Example, 30 minutes work 30 minutes rest).

iii. Red Placard – High Risk

WBGT index of 88 degrees F to 89.9 degrees F

All heavy outdoor physical training will be halted. Moderate outdoor physical activity will be limited to 15 minutes of activity per hour. The intense physical activities as noted under the YELLOW PLACARD are to be conducted inside or reduced in intensity and constantly supervised. Heat cramps are likely. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are also possible with continued exposure. Outdoor classes in the sun are to be avoided. Use a buddy system and have teams monitor each other’s condition.

Drink 2 quarts of cool water per hour.

Use 25% work and 75% rest. (Example, 15 minutes work with 45 minutes rest).

iv. Black Placard – Danger

WBGT index of 90 degrees F and above

All outdoor physical training will be halted for all Student Court Officers. All physical training activities will be conducted indoors. All training already occurring will immediately move indoors in which the frequency for rest and fluid replacement will increase. All Outdoor work is to be limited to critical missions only. Use a buddy system and have Student Court Officers monitor each other’s condition. Heat stroke is likely with continued exposure at higher temperatures.

Drink at least 2 quarts of cool water per hour.

Use 20% work and 80% rest. (Example, 10 minutes work and 50 minutes rest).

C. Cold Weather Placard System: Yellow – Black Placards

Four factors contribute to cold stress:

• Cold air temperatures
• High velocity air movement
• Dampness of the air
• Contact with cold water or surfaces. A cold environment forces the body to work harder to maintain its temperature. Cold air, water, snow, and excessive body sweating all draw heat from the body. Wind chill is the combination of air temperature and wind speed. For example, when the air temperature is 40°F, and the wind speed is 35 mph, your exposed skin receives conditions equivalent to the air temperature being 11°F.

While it is obvious that below freezing conditions combined with inadequate clothing could bring about cold stress, it is also important to understand that it can also be brought about by temperatures in the 50's coupled with some rain and wind.

When the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reading is 81.9 degrees or below the Cold Weather Placard System will be used. To determine, recommended exposure times, the proper placard for the Cold Weather Placard System will be determined by the Ambient air temperature + (plus) Wind velocity.

i. Yellow Placard – Medium Risk

45 degrees F to 81.9 degrees F

All activities will proceed as usual; however, instructors will monitor Student Court Officers as to their physical conditions. Heavy exercises for Student Court Officers will be conducted with caution and under constant supervision. Caution will be taken.

Drink 1 quart of cool water per hour.

Use 100% work and 0% rest for outdoor work (Example 60 minutes work and 0 minutes rest).

ii. Red Placard – High Risk

32 degrees F to 44.9 degrees F

Clothing will be moderate dress to include winter coat, gloves and hat. Exposure time will be limited to no longer than two hours, weather permitting. Instructors will monitor Student Court Officers as to their physical conditions. Heavy exercises for Student Court Officers will be conducted with caution and under constant supervision. Frostbite is possible with continued exposure at cooler temps.

Drink 1 quart of water per hour.

Use 100% work and 0% rest for outdoor work (Example 60 minutes work and 0 minutes rest).

iii. Black Placard – Danger

31.9 degrees F and below

All outdoor physical training will be halted for all Student Court Officers. All physical training activities will be conducted indoors. All training already occurring will immediately move indoors. All Outdoor work is to be limited to critical missions only. If critical missions exist clothing will include thermal underwear, winter coat, boots, thermal socks, wool cap, and gloves. Use a buddy system and have Student Court Officers monitor each other’s condition. Frostbite is likely with continued exposure at cooler temps.

Date published:	January 2, 2023