News Release

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OSHA News Release: [08/18/2004]
Contact Name: Al Belsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999

OSHA Offers Technical Assistance for Workers Involved in Cleanup and Recovery Operations from Hurricane Charley

Public service announcements focus on worker safety

WASHINGTON—John Henshaw, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), is offering the full resources of the agency to ensure that thousands of workers responding to the aftermath of Hurricane Charley in Florida remain safe.

"Thousands of men and women are working around the clock together to ensure that the victims of the hurricane's devastation are returned to some sense of normalcy as quickly as possible," Henshaw said. "Our goal is to aid the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other local, state and federal authorities by providing assistance and information to workers involved in cleanup and recovery operations.

"The storm may have passed," he said, "but the dangers are still very real and it's imperative that workers have every asset available to ensure their safety while encouraging them to observe all safety and health precautions."

Henshaw issued the below public service announcement related to Hurricane Charley specifically:

Hurricane Charley is over but the dangers are not-especially for workers restoring power lines, cutting tree limbs, and participating in a myriad of clean-up and recovery work. It's important to remember that this kind of work, under these conditions, is extremely hazardous. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration advises workers to take proper safety and health precautions to avoid serious injuries from falls, electric shock, chain saws, and other machinery. We must not allow Hurricane Charley to claim another life or destroy another family. For more information on avoiding hazards and safely cleaning up after a hurricane please call 1-800-321-OSHA or log onto www.OSHA.gov.

In addition, five public service announcements and seven fact sheets have been released on specific hazards that workers are routinely exposed to during cleanup and recovery operations and tree trimming. They include: flooding, mold, falls, electrical, and chainsaws. Click on the topic for more detailed information.

Radio stations may record these public service announcements for broadcast by logging onto the Labor Department's audio news service at http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/audio/main2004.htm#20040817.

OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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