Argonne National Laboratory

Severe Weather

Safety is a top priority at Argonne

Current status: Argonne laboratory operations are normal.

It is important for all staff and visitors to be prepared for the possibility of winter or severe weather. This page includes best practices for adapting to weather impacts safely. This page also provides resources for when severe weather causes a change to the lab’s operating status, including how to check the lab’s current status, and how to report unsafe conditions and emergencies.

Please familiarize yourself and any guests with the various weather conditions discussed on this page, including winter weather, extreme cold, extreme heat, unsafe air quality, and tornado forecasts.

Jump to a section:
1. Changing the Laboratory’s Operating Status
2. Checking the Laboratory’s Current Status
3. Preparing for Snow and Winter Weather
4. Working Safely Onsite During Snow and Winter Weather
5. Preparing for Extreme Cold
6. Working Safely Onsite During Extreme Cold
7. Preparing for Extreme Heat
8. Working Safely Onsite During Extreme Heat
9. Preparing for Unsafe Air Quality
10. Working Safely Onsite During Unsafe Air Quality
11. What to do when a tornado watch or warning has been issued
12. Reporting Unsafe Conditions and Emergencies

Changing the Laboratory’s Operating Status

Severe weather can lead to the lab recommending remote work, a delayed start, early suspension, or full-day suspension of normal laboratory operations. When these temporary changes to lab operations occur, Argonne will notify employees and site occupants of changes. Visit the Temporary Changes to Laboratory Operational Status page to learn more about the different types of changes to laboratory operations and what employees should do in each situation.

To ensure employees receive notifications about severe weather that impacts normal laboratory operations they should set or update their contact information and messaging options, using Workday (log in required). Employees can see their current information by logging in, clicking ​“Menu,” then ​“Personal Information,” and then ​“Contact Information.”

Employees for whom remote work (log in required) is an option, should coordinate in advance with their supervisors to authorize and prepare for remote work as needed. The Working Remotely page provides resources for effectively working off site. 

Employees who work with non-employees (such as contractors, guests, users, or vendors) or have new employees on their team, should notify them appropriately.

Visitors should check the laboratory’s status before coming to the lab.

Checking the Laboratory’s Current Status

Employees and visitors can always find the laboratory’s current operational status in the following locations:

Preparing for Snow and Winter Weather

When significant winter weather is forecast for the Chicago area, Argonne may notify employees so that they can prepare, even if no changes to the lab’s operational status will occur.

Anyone planning to be onsite during winter weather should:

Winter weather can change unexpectedly. Employees should be aware the lab may make temporary changes to the laboratory’s operational status and understand its impact on workers and visitors. Visitors should check the laboratory’s status before coming to the lab.

Working Safely Onsite During Snow and Winter Weather

Regardless of Argonne’s operational status, if you plan to be onsite during snow and winter weather it’s important to be prepared.

  • Plan ahead
    • Monitor lab announcements for updates, including gate/road changes.
    • Prepare for hazardous driving and slippery parking lots/sidewalks; wear footwear with non-skid soles.
    • Allow extra travel time.
    • Wear footwear with non-skid soles.
  • When you arrive and park
    • Use caution exiting your vehicle and walking to your building.
    • Granular ice melt and bags of EcotractionXT are available in most large parking lots and at building entrances. Keep a bag or two in your vehicle and spread material on the ground before stepping out.
    • Use main building entrances and walkways as salt and deicers work best in higher-traffic areas.
  • While on site during wintry weather
    • Avoid traveling outdoors on site whenever possible.
    • Expect some services (e.g., shipping/receiving, medical clinic) to be reduced or unavailable; check MyArgonne and your email for updates.
    • Reschedule in-person meetings or use videoconferencing (log in required) when possible.

Additional information:

Preparing for Extreme Cold

When extreme cold is forecast for the Chicago area, Argonne may notify employees even if  no changes to the lab’s operational status will occur.

Anyone planning to be onsite during extreme cold should:

Working Safely Onsite During Extreme Cold

Argonne typically recommends that all outdoor work is postponed or limited to the extent possible when extreme cold is forecast. Work with your supervisors to find indoor work during this time.

If you are required to work outside, be sure to take the following cold weather safety precautions:

  • Keep your exposure to the cold to a minimum.
  • Dress in layers to trap body heat.
  • Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.
  • Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.
  • Wear a scarf over your mouth to protect your airway.
  • Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing on ice and snow.
  • Stay well hydrated but avoid excessive caffeine which can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
  • Make sure your cell phone is charged and you have blankets and warm clothing in your emergency vehicle preparedness kit.
  • Expect some services (e.g., shipping/receiving, medical clinic) to be reduced or unavailable. Check MyArgonne or email for updates.

Bitterly cold temperature and accompanying wind chills are dangerous and can lead to rapid onset of frostbite (freezing of the skin) and hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature). If you need to venture out, being prepared can help you avoid exposure and stay safe.

  • Frostbite comes from exposure to extremely cold temperatures. It usually affects fingers, toes, ears and the face and can lead to permanent tissue damage and amputation. The first sign of frostbite is unusual skin redness. If exposure to cold continues, numbness sets in, and the skin may turn white or gray looking and feel waxy or unusually firm.
  • Hypothermia is caused by prolonged exposure to low temperatures or cold water. Your internal body temperature gets too low because your body loses heat faster than it can be produced. Early signs of hypothermia are intense shivering and pale skin. When your body temperature gets too low, your brain is affected, and you may not be able to think clearly or move well. Later signs of hypothermia are bright red, cold skin, exhaustion, drowsiness, stumbling, loss of coordination, memory loss, and slurred speech.

If you suspect you or anyone else is suffering from frostbite or hypothermia, 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.

Additional information:

Preparing for Extreme Heat

When extreme heat is forecast for the Chicago area, Argonne will notify employees even if no changes to the lab’s operational status will occur.

Anyone planning to be onsite during extreme heat should:

Working Safely Onsite During Extreme Heat

Argonne typically recommends that all outdoor work is postponed or limited to the extent possible when extreme heat is forecast. You should work with your supervisors to find indoor work during this time.

People who are over 65 years old, pregnant, have heart disease, or are taking certain medications are more susceptible to the ill-effects of heat. Employees are encouraged to make an appointment in the Health and Employee Wellness clinic to review their personal health as related to heat illness risk.

  • To avoid heat stress:
    • Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored, breathable clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
    • Pre-hydrate with water and or electrolyte drinks before beginning work.
    • Avoid excessive caffeine before beginning work.
    • Avoid starting work if you are already experiencing any symptoms of heat stress.
    • Stay hydrated. Drink approximately one cup of water every 15 to 20 minutes if you work outdoors.
    • Allow adequate rest breaks in a shaded or cool area.
    • Schedule heavy work during the coolest parts of the day. Avoid high energy activities during mid-day.
    • Set up a buddy system to keep an eye out for colleagues.
    • And if you are a supervisor, monitor workers’ excessive heat stress conditions or look for signs of heat-related illness.
  • Keep an eye out for heat exhaustion symptoms (body temperature elevated):
    • Muscle cramps
    • Extreme weakness or fatigue
    • Fast or shallow breathing
    • Pale or flushed complexion
    • Upset stomach or vomiting
    • Headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, irritability, or confusion
  • Keep an eye out for heat stroke symptoms symptoms (body temperature very elevated, often over 104 degrees):
    • Dry, hot skin or profuse sweating
    • Chills and throbbing headache
    • High body temperature
    • Mental confusion or loss of consciousness
    • Seizures and convulsions
  • In an emergency, you should:
    • Stop work immediately and call 911 from a landline or 630-252-1911 from mobile devices if you are working at the Lemont campus. If you are off campus, call 911.
    • Move to a cool/shaded area.
    • Drink water, remove excess clothing, and apply cool (not cold) water to the body.
  • Additional heat safety tips  

Preparing for Unsafe Air Quality

The Illinois EPA and Partners for Clean Air may issue an Air Pollution Action Day notice for the Greater Chicago Metropolitan Area. An Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather conditions are such that widespread ozone and/or particulate matter (PM2.5) levels are expected to be at or above the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups category of the Air Quality Index.

When unsafe air quality is forecast for the Chicago area, Argonne may notify employees even though no changes to the lab’s operational status will occur.

Anyone planning to be onsite during unsafe air quality should:

Working Safely Onsite During Unsafe Air Quality

On Air Pollution Action Days, Argonne typically recommends that all outdoor work is postponed or limited to the extent possible. Employees should work with supervisors to find indoor work during this time.

At increased levels, ozone and/or particulate matter can pose a potential health hazard to sensitive populations, including active children and adults, and especially individuals with pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma or COPD, and individuals with heart disease. Those individuals should take special precautions and follow their physician prescribed regimen.

Air quality may be affected in some indoor locations if those spaces circulate a high percentage of outdoor air. Building managers (log in required) can advise on the filtration level in specific workspaces. If necessary, employees should consider temporarily moving to a building with better filtration. Employees can reserve a hybrid workspace (log in required) on the Lemont campus. 

Employees who would like to wear an N95 respirator voluntarily, should contact their ESH coordinator (log in required) to confirm they have completed all required training.

Additional Resources:

  • Review what you should do based on different level of unsafe air quality.
  • Find air quality index levels and forecasts specific to your zip code at AirNow.

What to do when a tornado warning or watch has been issued

Tornado shelters are available and marked with signs throughout the site. Employees should check with their Area Emergency Supervisor (log in required) regarding shelter locations.

If a tornado watch has been issued, identify the location of your nearest shelter as conditions are favorable for a tornado. Be ready to act. Know where to go. 

If a tornado warning is issued, take immediate action as a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. Immediately go to the nearest shelter and stay there until an all-clear is issued.

Reporting Unsafe Conditions and Emergencies 

  • Report areas needing attention by:
    • Dialing 630-252-1911 and identifying the call as ​“non-emergency”;
    • Contacting the relevant building manager (log in required);
    • Submitting a Vector request (log in required); or
    • Use the Argonne mobile app (log in required).
    • Visitors should notify their host of any areas needing attention.
  • If conditions create an emergency:
    • From a Lab phone: dial 9-1-1
    • From a mobile phone: call 630-252-1911