News Release

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OSHA News Release: [08/31/2005]
Contact Name: Al Belsky
Phone Number: (202) 693-1999
Release Number: 05-1659-NAT

OSHA Offers Assistance for Hurricane Katrina Cleanup and Recovery Workers

Public Service Announcement highlights worker safety issues

WASHINGTON — Jonathan L. Snare, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), is prepared to offer the full resources of the agency to help protect the safety and health of workers responding in the wake of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast.

“The human toll of this catastrophic storm will not be known for weeks,” Snare said. “In the meantime, it is incumbent upon us to offer as much assistance as possible to assure the safety of the thousands of workers who will be working around the clock during cleanup and recovery operations.”

Snare issued the following public service announcement related to Hurricane Katrina specifically:

“While Hurricane Katrina has moved on, the danger has not — especially for recovery and cleanup workers. This work is hazardous, and deadly. I’m Jonathan Snare, head of OSHA, and I encourage you to take proper safety and health precautions to avoid serious injuries from falls, downed electrical wires, chain saws and other machinery. For more information, please call 1-800-321-OSHA or log onto www.osha.gov.”

In addition, five public service announcements will be recorded on specific hazards that workers are routinely exposed to during cleanup and recovery operations. They include: flooding, mold, falls, electrical (including downed electrical wires) and chainsaws. (Click on the topic for more detailed information).

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. 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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