Due to extreme temperatures predicted for the region, laboratory management strongly encourages nonessential employees to telecommute on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, and Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, if their work permits and if they have appropriate authorization from their supervisors.
Although the lab will remain open, expect very few support teams and services, and please telecommute if you can, to avoid exposure to dangerously cold temperatures.
- Nonessential employees without telecommuting authorization should report to work or request vacation. Contact your supervisor at the beginning of your work period to request the vacation day.
- Essential employees are required to report as usual, unless provided differing instructions from your supervisor.
- Employees who telecommute must report this action in Dayforce.
Additional information and resources are online. Contact your supervisor if you have questions. Check the Argonne Emergency Information webpage or the Info Line at (630) 252-4636 for updates.
To prepare:
- Meet with your supervisor to plan telecommuting activities and expectations.
- Note that East Gate and West Gates will be closed Wednesday and Thursday. North Gate will remain open but the Argonne Visitors Center will be closed. Prearranged gate passes will be available at the North Gate guard post for any visitors.
- Make sure all building windows and doors are tightly shut to prevent frozen pipes and other issues.
- Contact any visitors and guests expected on Wednesday and Thursday to inform them of the situation.
Site services
Some site services will be unavailable or limited.
- The HEW Medical Clinic will not be open Wednesday.
- Food service will be open:
- Building 213 Cafeteria: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- 240 Concrete Café: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- 201 Kiosk: 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
- 401 Grille: 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Guest House Restaurant:
- Breakfast: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
- Lunch/Dinner: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (till 6 p.m. Tuesday)
- Market/Sundry Shop at hotel: 24/7
- The “Handling Stress with Success” lecture and meditation class scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled.
- See Snapshot and Argonne Today for additional updates.
Avoid exposure
If you must come to the site Wednesday and Thursday, remember that bitterly cold temperatures can lead to rapid onset of frostbite (freezing of the skin) and hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature). If you suspect you or a colleague are suffering from either of these conditions, get indoors and call 9-1-1 from a lab phone or (630) 252-1911 from your cell phone immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced this guide to dealing with extreme cold, which includes symptoms of both frostbite and hypothermia.
Please call our 911 numbers if you need vehicle assistance while on campus. If you do commute or travel personally on Wednesday and Thursday, please make sure your cell phone is charged and you have blankets and warm clothing in your car should you run into unexpected problems.
Keep your exposure to the cold to a minimum and dress in layers to trap body heat. Avoid traveling between buildings on site; reschedule meetings or use the Blue Jeans conference application.
Space heaters may be used at Argonne, under certain conditions. To report loss of heating or other problems, call 9-1-1 from a lab phone, or (630) 252-1911 from your cell phone.