Appendix D: Baseline Vital Sign Thresholds
Pre-Entry Medical Monitoring (Hazardous Materials Response) [After NFPA 471 – 2002]
There are three reasons to conduct medical monitoring on employees designated to wear FBPC and enter an area contaminated by a hazardous materials release:
- To establish baseline vital signs and physical assessment (for comparison with post entry physical conditions.)
- To identify and preclude from participation in the hot zone and warm zone activities individuals at increased risk for sustaining injury and illness as a result of on-scene activities.
- To provide early recognition and treatment of personnel with adverse physiological responses as a result of on-scene activities.
The following orthostatic vital sign thresholds are pre-entry maximum values. Employees who exceed any of these values must not be assigned to work in FBPC.
Physical Signs That Disqualify Employees From Wearing FBPC:
- Blood pressure — diastolic greater than 105 mm Hg
- Pulse — greater than 70 percent of the maximum heart rate (220 - age)
- Respiratory rate — greater than 24 per minute
- Temperature — greater than 99.5°F (oral) or greater than 100.5°F (core) or less than 97.0°F (oral) or less than 98.0°F (core).
- Skin evaluation — open sores, large area of rash or significant sunburn.
Managers and/or supervisors (Hazardous Materials Team Leaders) shall obtain these readings, and record them in the appropriate position on the Site Safety Plan (Hazardous Materials Contingency Plan).
Managers and/or supervisors (Hazardous Materials Team Leaders) shall obtain post entry vital signs and skin evaluations, and shall record them in the appropriate position on the Site Safety Plan. Hazardous materials team members who have exited the hot and warm zones and been decontaminated shall have at least as much recovery time as suit time.