Oregon Dept. of Energy assures PPE, temperature checks, and important guidance for fuel industry workers across the state of Oregon
To support the nation’s safe reopening, the federal government has provided personal protective equipment (PPE) to each state. In one instance, the federally-supplied PPE was made available to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure workers, like those in the fuel industry. Of the federally supplied PPE dedicated to those critical infrastructure workers, Oregon received 72,000 reusable cloth masks.
As a member of the Oregon Infrastructure Branch of the state’s COVID-19 response, Oregon Department of Energy’s Emergency Preparedness Manager, Deanna Henry, secured 14,000 of the masks for Oregon’s fuel and propane providers. The masks are helping keep workers safe as they ensure a reliable source of fuel and propane for Oregonians during the pandemic.
Temperature checks may help identify potentially-ill individuals. As a result, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided Oregon and the other states Non-Contact Infrared Thermometers (NCIT). Out of the 2,355 NCITs Oregon received, Henry secured 1,075 thermometers for the fuel and propane sectors, which they received on June 12. Henry worked with the Western States Petroleum Association, Oregon Fuels Association, and the Pacific Propane Gas Association to assess NCIT needs at fuel distribution terminals, pipeline operations, gas stations, and propane distributors.
ODOE will continue to provide guidance and information to the fuel and propane industry as appropriate to allow critical workforce employees to safely continue their important work for Oregon during these unprecedented times.
