September 3, 2004—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert urging employers and workers to take appropriate safety measures to avoid injury and illnesses associated with the recovery and cleanup efforts following hurricanes.
The potential for fatal accidents involving electrocution from power lines, as well as serious injuries associated with tree trimming, have prompted the agency to remind employers, workers, and the public to ensure that they observe appropriate safety and health precautions while performing cleanup and utility restoration operations. This includes coordinating with control centers responsible for power circuits so that workers do not enter areas where there are live wires.
Information on avoiding hazards and safely cleaning up after a hurricane is available from OSHA to help workers who are involved in recovery and restoration efforts. Three factsheets—”Cleanup Hazards,” “Food Cleanup,” and “Fungi”—are available on OSHA’s Web site. A Safety and Health Information Bulletin on mold safety and remediation is also available.
- Cleanup Hazard gives people involved in cleanup operations tips on avoiding injuries and health hazards, such as how to avoid electrical hazards and fires, and suggestions on clothing and personal protective equipments to wear while cleaning up.
- Flood Cleanup discusses the hazards contained in floodwater, how to protect against contamination or disease from exposure to floodwater, and what to do if symptoms of illness develop after exposure to floodwater.
- Fungi contains information on fungal diseases and conditions that can develop after floods, tips on protecting workers against exposure, and suggestions on what to do if symptoms develop after potential exposures.
- A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace offers recommendations on how to prevent mold growth and how to protect workers involved in the prevention and cleanup of mold.
More than 30 safety and health experts from OSHA were recently dispatched to Florida to provide technical assistance and to help ensure that the thousands of workers responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Charley and Tropical Storm Bonnie remain safe.
