July 15, 2005—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is 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 cleanup and recovery efforts, 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.
Fact sheets on issues and hazards relating to recovery and cleanup efforts following hurricanes are available on the agency’s Natural Disaster Recovery page. More detailed information in English or Spanish is offered on the following hazards: Cleanup Hazards, Flood Cleanup, Fungi, Falls, Electrical, Chainsaws, Heat, Sun, and Tree Trimming.
