| Storm and flood cleanup activities can be hazardous. Workers and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved, and the proper safety precautions. Work-related hazards that could be encountered include: Electrical Hazards, Carbon Monoxide, Musculoskeletal Hazards, Heat Stress, Motor Vehicles, Hazardous Materials, Fire, Confined Spaces and Falls. Links to information about hazards associated with storm and flood cleanup can be found below.
Overview of Cleanup Hazards
NIOSH Warns of Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 94-123 (1994)
En Espanol
An overview of hazards present in cleanup operations and ways to prevent illnesses and injuries.
NIOSH Emergency Response
Resources - Natural Disasters
A sub-page of the NIOSH Emergency Response Resources Area containing links
to information about natural disasters, flood and hurricane response,
and personal protective equipment.
Electrical Hazards
Electrical Safety Topic Page
Electrical current exposes workers to a serious, widespread occupational hazard, particularly during hurricane or flood response.
Preventing Electrocutions by Undetected Feedback Electrical Energy Present in Power Lines
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 88-104 (1987)
This Alert describes one important cause of occupational electrocutions-- undetected feedback electrical energy present in power lines.
Preventing Electrocutions of Workers Using Portable Metal Ladders Near Overhead Power Lines
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 89-110 (1989)
En Espanol
Contact between portable metal ladders and overhead power lines causes serious and often fatal injuries to workers in the United States.
Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical, and Other Types of Hazardous Energy--Alert
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99-110 (1999)
This Alert describes five fatal incidents in which workers contacted uncontrolled hazardous energy during installation, maintenance, service, or repair work.
Tree Removal / Chain Saws
Preventing
Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Hurricane
Chain saws are widely used to remove fallen trees and tree branches
after hurricanes and other natural disasters. This CDC fact sheet provides
information on chain saw safety and tips on avoiding injury from the
release of bent trees or branches.
Preventing Falls and Electrocutions
During Tree Trimming
DHHS (NIOSH) Pub. No. 92-106
Many tree trimmers and their employers may lack training and knowledge of OSHA
standards and/or may be unaware of the risk posed by inadequate or improper
safety procedures and equipment. This Alert describes eight incidents involving
five electrocutions and three fatal falls of tree trimmers.
Health Care Workers
Health Care Workers Topic Page
Health care workers face a wide range of hazards on the job, including needlestick injuries, back injuries, latex allergy, violence, and stress.
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus
Exposures to blood and other body fluids occur across a wide variety of occupations. Health care workers, emergency response and public safety personnel, and other workers can be exposed to blo od through needlestick and other sharps injuries, mucous membrane and skin exposures.
Confined Spaces
Confined Spaces Topic Page
"Confined Space" refers to a space which by design has limited openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation which could contain or produce dangerous air contaminants, and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy.
Carbon Monoxide
NIOSH Carbon Monoxide Hazards Topic
Page
Provides a listing of CO-related NIOSH publications, as well
as recommendations for employers and equipment users, tool rental companies,
and tool manufacturers.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and Death
After the Use of Explosives in a Sewer Construction Project
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-122 (1998)
En
Espanol
This Alert describes five fatal incidents in which workers contacted uncontrolled
hazardous energy during installation, maintenance, service, or repair
work.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
from Small Gasoline Powered Engines and Tools
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 96-118 (1996)
En
Español
It is not widely known that small gasoline-powered engines and tools present
a serious health hazard. They produce high concentrations of CO--a poisonous
gas that can cause illness, permanent neurological damage, and death.
NIOSH Warns of Deadly Carbon Monoxide Hazard from Using Pressure Washers Indoors
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-117 (1993)
All gasoline-powered engines produce carbon monoxide. This gas can rapidly build up in any indoor area, and individuals can be overcome without even realizing they are being exposed. Confusion, headache, dizziness, fatigue, and weakness may set in too quickly for victims to save themselves.
Musculoskeletal Hazards
Ergonomics and Musculoskeletal Disorders Topic Page
A resource of practical ways to reduce ergonomics hazards to workers.
Heat Stress
Working in Hot Environments
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 86-112 (1986)
En Espanol
Excessive exposure to a hot work environment can bring about a variety of heat-induced disorders.
Motor Vehicles and Machine Safety
Motor Vehicles Topic Page
Motor vehicle-related highway crashes are consistently the leading cause of work-related fatalities.
Machine Safety Topic Page
Machinery-related hazards are present in virtually every industry. Workers are exposed to these hazards daily in construction, farming, and manufacturing.
Hazardous Materials
Chemical Safety Topic Page
A resource of information about chemicals from NIOSH and other sources. Including databases, MSDS, and publications.
NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
An online version of the well known printed guide. a source of general industrial hygiene information on several hundred chemicals/classes for workers, employers, and occupational health professionals.
Fire
Firefighter Topic Page
Provides Fire Fighter fatality/injury data, SCBA information, links to other FF sites, more....
NIOSH Emergency Response Page
Includes information for Emergency Responders and other workers about emergency preparedness, disaster site management, terrorist response, personal protective equipment, natural disasters, chemical agents, more....
Falls
Falls from Elevations Topic Page
Falls from elevation hazards are present at most every jobsite, and many workers are exposed to these hazards daily. Any walking/working surface could be a potential fall hazard.
Other Disaster Response Resources
NIOSH Emergency Response Page
Includes information for Emergency Responders and other workers about emergency preparedness, disaster site management, terrorist response, personal protective equipment, natural disasters, chemical agents, more....
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)
Focuses expertise from many scientific disciplines to advance federal research on respirators and other personal protective technologies for workers.
Suggested Guidance for Supervisors at Disaster Rescue Sites
Work plan essentials, site safety and team leader checklists, potential hazards and recommendations.
Fact Sheet for Workers in Secondary Response and Other Supporting Roles
FAQs About Exposure to Dusts and Gases.
Suggested Respirator Cleaning and Sanitation Procedures
Guidance for selecting cleaning equipment and supplies, procedures for respirator maintenance.
Eye Safety - Emergency Response & Disaster Recovery
En Espanol
Overview of eye hazards and injuries, types of eye protection, safety for prescription lens wearers, first aid.
Traumatic Incident Stress:
Information For Emergency Response Workers
En
Espanol
Dangers and symptoms of Traumatic Incident Stress, resources for coping.
CDC Emergency
Preparedness and Response - "Key Facts About Hurricane Readiness"
Essential tips to help you prepare for hurricanes and cope with their
aftermath.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
External Link: http://www.fema.gov/
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an independent agency reporting to the President and tasked with responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disaster.
Disaster Relief
External Link: http://www.disasterrelief.org/
The Disaster Relief website is a cooperative effort between the American Red Cross, CNN Interactive and IBM whose mission is to help disaster victims and the disaster relief community worldwide by facilitating the exchange of information on the Internet.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Emergency Preparedness/Response Topic Page
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/emergencyresponse/index.html
Presents links to information about emergency response in the workplace, including recognition, control, equipment, and planning.
Agricultural Safety Topic Page
Agriculture ranks among the most hazardous industries. Farmers are at very high risk for fatal and nonfatal injuries.
|
