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Topic: HURRICANE RECOVERY AND CLEAN-UP:
10 Hurricane Clean-Up Hazards to Watch For
August 30, 2011
A hurricane's dangers don't subside with its winds. After the storm, emergency crews put themselves in harm's way to help others. These emergency crews include law enforcement, emergency medical assistance, debris clearing workers, power line repairers and others doing restoration work.
This is dangerous work. According to OSHA, these are just some of the hazards faced by workers involved in hurricane clean-up and recovery:
- Hazardous driving conditions due to slippery roadways;
- Slips and falls due to slippery walkways;
- Falling and flying objects, such as tree limbs and utility poles;
- Electrical hazards from downed power lines or downed objects in contact with power lines;
- Falls from heights;
- Burns from fires caused by energized line contact or equipment failure;
- Exhaustion from working extended shifts;
- Contaminated waters;
- Rodents; and
- Dehydration.
OSHA has published free materials to help employers and workers deal with the health and safety hazards of hurricane clean-up and recovery, including Fact Sheets and “Quick Cards”.
All materials can be downloaded from the OSHA web site, www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html.
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good info