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Waste/Debris Removal and Reduction
Vehicle Removal and Salvage |
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Activity Description
- This activity sheet is for individuals (salvors, insurance adjusters)
needing to access, inspect, and transport abandoned vehicles and
those that supervise them.
- For some operations or situations (e.g., work zone safety,
heavy equipment use) other activity sheets also apply; see
related activity sheets below.
- As a result of Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita (2005), over 100,000 vehicles were abandoned and
required removal; this operation will likely be an important
part of response/recovery—though
likely at a lesser scale—during any similar natural disaster. These
vehicles will need to be disposed of, salvaged, or repaired.
- Individuals working with such vehicles will need to address
concerns relevant to vehicles impacted by contaminated waters,
sand, and silt in addition to normal removal and salvage operations.
- Response and recovery workers conducting this operation may be employed by Federal, State, local, and private employers. Review How to Use This Matrix in the introduction for a discussion of how this information may apply to different employees.
About the Activity Sheet
This activity sheet does not provide an in-depth analysis of OSHA standards and regulations and cannot address all hazards. It does not increase or diminish any OSHA requirement or employer obligation under those requirements. It is intended as a guide and quick reference for employers and response and recovery workers. The Matrix captures major activities involved in hurricane response and recovery, highlights many of the hazards associated with them, and recommends beneficial work practices, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other exposure control methods. Employers must evaluate the specific hazards associated with the job/operation at the site where the work is being performed.
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.
The Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work provides a general overview of particular topics related to current OSHA standards. It does not alter or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, or the equivalent State Plan standards and requirements. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change over time, you should consult current OSHA/State Plan administrative interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and the courts for additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements. Employers should modify their procedures as appropriate when additional, relevant information becomes available.
General Recommendations
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices.
See general
recommendations document.
Personal Protective Equipment.
The general PPE is recommended for all response/recovery tasks/operations; only the additional PPE that may be needed for a specific hazard is noted below.
General PPE includes:
- Hard hat for overhead impact or electrical hazards
- Eye protection with side shields
- Gloves chosen for job hazards expected (e.g., heavy-duty leather work gloves for handling debris with sharp edges and/or chemical protective gloves appropriate for chemicals potentially contacted)
- ANSI-approved protective footwear
- Respiratory protection as necessary—N, R, or P95,
filtering facepieces may be used for nuisance dusts (e.g., dried mud, dirt
and silt) and mold (except mold remediation). Filters with a charcoal layer
may be used for odors
Recommendations Specific to Hazards Associated with This Activity
GENERAL HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATION (TOW TRUCKS
AND CRANES)
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Ensure winch and towing/lifting cable can safely handle the
load
- Inspect the cable for damage or wear
- Center tow on any ramps or platforms used; keep unnecessary
people away from vehicles being moved
- Secure the tow before moving the hauling vehicle
- Do not place any body part under a load unless the load is positively
supported with cribbing, shore towers, jack stands, or some
other positive means
- See Heavy Equipment and
Powered Industrial Truck Use activity sheet
- See Crane
Use activity sheet
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
WORK ZONE SAFETY
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 compliant high visibility safety
apparel and headwear
LEAKING FUELS, OILS, AND BATTERY ACID
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- For large spills, use atmospheric-monitoring equipment such as colorimetric
tubes to evaluate exposures to gasoline vapors and liquid, including
the benzene contained in gasoline
- Ensure that leaking fuels, oils, and acids are contained, absorbed, and
discarded; containment should be designed to reduce employee exposure
- Ensure
that spark- and heat-producing equipment is kept away from flammable
liquids and vapors
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Long gloves and face shields appropriate for
chemicals (in gasoline, diesel fuel, lubricating oils, and acids) and
activities (fuel tank draining) anticipated
CONTACT WITH DOWNED LINES AND LIVE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND OTHER UTILITIES (E.G., GAS, WATER)
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Assume that electrical lines are energized until
proven otherwise. Lines
and other conductors may become reenergized without warning as utilities
are evaluated and restored after a disaster
- Inspect the work area for downed conductors and do not go near, drive over,
or otherwise come in contact with them
- Downed electrical conductors can energize other objects, including fences,
water pipes, bushes, trees, and telephone/CATV/fiber optic cables
- Unless deenergized and visibly grounded, maintain proper distance from
overhead electrical power lines (at least 10 feet) and/or provide insulating
barriers
- Do not approach any gas leaks; if a gas leak is detected,
secure spark-producing devices (e.g., engines, tools, electronic, and
communications equipment) and evacuate the area until the leak is secured
- Contact
utility company to assist in locating, marking, and shutting off/purging
utility lines that may pose a hazard or may be impacted;
ensure that lines have been purged as needed before beginning work
EXPOSURE TO CONTAMINATED WATER AND/OR
FLOODWATERS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- When a vehicle containing floodwaters is being moved, reduce the exposure
to splash or aerosolized liquid hazards by limiting the number of people
in the area and having those in the area stay upwind of water discharge
areas
- Ensure that good hygiene, especially hand washing,
is practiced before eating, drinking, and smoking. If clean water
is not available, use an alternative such as hand sanitizer or sanitizing
wipes
- Ensure that cuts and bruises are protected from contact with contaminated
water
- Clean areas of the body that come in contact with contaminated
water with soap and water, hand sanitizer, or sanitizing wipes
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Goggles if routinely working near splashing floodwater
- N, R, or P95 respirators may be necessary for exposure to contaminated
water that may become aerosolized
- Watertight boots with steel toe and insoles
- Waterproof gloves for contact
with contaminated water
POWER AND HAND TOOL USE
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or double insulated power
tools, or implement an assured equipment grounding program
- Inspect power tool condition (including any cords) and verify operation
of safety features before use
- Do not use equipment that is defective, such as equipment with inoperable
safety switches, missing guards, frayed/cut cords etc.
- Ground power tools properly
- Avoid standing in wet areas when using portable power tools
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Hearing protection—see Noise
hazard
- Hand protection for cut- and abrasion-control and vibration dampening
- Eye protection appropriate to the impact hazard
WELDING, CUTTING, AND BURNING
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Remove flammable and combustible materials from the area
- Do not perform “hot work” such as
welding, cutting, or burning in areas where flammable, combustible, corrosive,
or toxic substances are being used, stored, or may otherwise be present
- Maintain a fire watch during all hot work until material has cooled
- Ensure fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents are available in the
immediate area
- Provide natural, exhaust, or forced ventilation to control exposure to
the metal fumes and other contaminants being generated (e.g., generator
exhaust)
- Ensure that pipes and other vessels are purged of hazardous materials
- Identify
materials that will be welded, cut, or burned and that may contain
lead, such as painted surfaces and pipes. Test materials and provide
exposure controls identified in 29 CFR 1926.62 as necessary; see the lead hazard in the general recommendations document
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Gloves and protective clothing for the activity
being performed
- At a minimum, filtered lenses and face-protection as appropriate for the
activity being performed
- Respiratory protection based on anticipated exposure to metal fumes, including lead
SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS ON WORKING SURFACES
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Do not attempt to attach a tow cable where a vehicle
is likely to shift or the operator can slip or fall because of flowing water
- See general
recommendations document
DISCOVERY OF HUMAN OR ANIMAL REMAINS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- If found, contact public health/mortuary personnel
for removal
NOISE
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- Place generators, compressors, and other noisy equipment
at a distance or behind a barrier when possible
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Hearing protection when working around potential noise
sources and when noise levels exceed 90 dBA. A useful “rule of
thumb”—if you cannot hold a conversation in a normal speaking
voice with a person who is standing at arms length (approximately 3 feet),
the noise level may exceed 90 dBA
DISCOVERY OF UNKNOWN CHEMICALS
Key Engineering Controls and Work Practices
- If hazardous chemical containers are found or leaking
materials are detected:
- Do not use spark-producing devices (e.g., engines,
tools, electronic, and communications equipment) in the immediate
area
- Take self-protective measures (i.e., move to a safe
distance upwind) and contact hazardous material response personnel for
evaluation/removal before continuing work in the area
Additional Personal Protective Equipment
- Evaluate the need to revise protective clothing, respirator,
and glove selection
OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Select any of the following potential hazards that
can be associated with this activity in order to access relevant recommendations
in the general
recommendations document:
Additional Medical Needs
Additional Training Needs
- Follow general site- and task-specific training guidelines as outlined in the general recommendations document
- If personnel are likely to witness or discover a hazardous
substance release such as a large spill of fuel, oil, or other chemical from
a vehicle, they must be trained under the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency
Response (HAZWOPER) standard, 29 CFR 1910.120(q)(6) or 29 CFR 1926.65(q)(6). If
employees will only be required to initiate an emergency response sequence
and then take no further action, they must receive training equivalent to
the “first responder awareness level.” Personnel who are expected
to take additional action must receive additional training under HAZWOPER(q)(6).
Related Activity Sheets
Other Resources and References
- 29 CFR 1910.120, Hazardous Waste Operations and
Emergency Response. OSHA.
- General Decontamination. OSHA Factsheet, (2005),
22 KB PDF,
2 pages.
- Hand Hygiene and Protective Gloves in Hurricane-Affected
Areas. OSHA Fact Sheet, (2005), 23 KB PDF,
2 pages.
- NIOSH
Respirator Selection Logic. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
(2004).
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, (2001).
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