January 3, 2007—Employers and employees involved in hurricane cleanup and recovery efforts will benefit from a new Web-based resource, Hurricane eMatrix: Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work, recently unveiled by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The Hurricane eMatrix provides practical information to employers so they can better assess risks and choose the appropriate control measures, work practices, personal protective equipment, and training to protect their employees working in hurricane-impacted areas.
The tool incorporates occupational hazards information, observations, recommendations, and data that OSHA gathered and distributed during its response effort to hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.
The eMatrix offers users access to general recommendations, sampling and monitoring data, and employer/employee responsibilities applicable for any employers conducting response and recovery operations after a disaster.
The tool also features 29 individual task- and operation-specific activity sheets that help employers evaluate hazards and provides guidance on reducing employee exposures during disaster operations like debris collection, tree trimming, utility restoration, building demolition, and others.
