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Purpose and Use of This Matrix
Work conditions change drastically after hurricanes and other natural
disasters. In the wake of a hurricane, response and recovery workers will face additional
challenges, such as downed power lines, downed trees, and high volumes
of construction debris, while performing an otherwise familiar task/operation.
In this Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix, OSHA provides
information on many of the most common and significant additional
hazards that response and recovery workers might encounter when working in an area recently
devastated by a hurricane. This Matrix highlights a number of tasks
and operations associated with disaster response and recovery. The
Matrix is designed to help employers make decisions during their
risk assessment that will protect their employees working in hurricane-impacted
areas.
Before proceeding to any activity sheet, users
are strongly encouraged to first review this page, Employer/Employee Responsibilities,
General Recommendations, and Sampling and Monitoring Summary pages, which
are linked directly above. These documents are integral in understanding
and using the information contained in each activity sheet.
How to Use This Matrix
This Matrix includes general recommendations as well as best practices for specific tasks and operations
being conducted in a hurricane response and recovery
zone. The recommendations and activity sheets cover anticipated
hazards, suggested controls, and applicable personal
protective equipment (PPE) for hurricane response and
recovery workers. To best use this Matrix, employers
conducting response and recovery operations should review
the general recommendations section and note the sections
that are relevant to their employees. Employers should
next review the list of specific activity sheets and
select the sheets that apply to operations performed
by their employees.
Employers need to evaluate the hazards involved in tasks and operations specific
to their work sites in a hurricane-affected area and then identify the engineering
controls, work practices, and PPE necessary to minimize exposure risk during
the work. Using the general information and the specific activity sheets
in this Matrix, employers may create or update their job hazard analyses
(JHAs), and select appropriate control measures, work practices, and personal
protective equipment (PPE) for hurricane response and recovery specific to
their work. Employers may also use this information to conduct employee safety
briefings and seek employee input on other hazards they encounter during
jobs in areas affected by the hurricanes. See Job
Hazard Analysis (OSHA
3071, 2002).
In addition, the guidance in this document may also be used in
any of the 26 States which operate OSHA-approved State
Plans should hurricanes or other natural disasters occur
in these jurisdictions. State job safety and health standards
must be at least as effective as Federal OSHA standards
but may include different or more stringent requirements. State
plan standards apply to State and local government employers
and employees, including emergency responders and other
public safety workers, who are not otherwise covered by Federal
OSHA, in addition to private sector employers and employees.
For additional information, see OSHA's website on
State Occupational
Safety and Health Plans.
Response and recovery workers may be employed by Federal, State, local,
and private employers such as the armed forces and other Federal entities, and
State and local police and fire departments, which may not be covered by Federal
OSHA requirements. The information contained in the Matrix includes both requirements
and best practices to assist in protecting all response and recovery workers. It is anticipated that
employees who will be performing tasks under the adverse conditions of response
and recovery work will have been effectively trained in job-specific safety procedures
and in the safe use of tools, machinery, and personal protective equipment specific
to their work.
This document will be updated as necessary. While this document
was specifically developed for response and recovery efforts for
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, it has application to future
hurricane and flood responses.
Limitations of the Matrix
The
Matrix 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 "best
practices." Employers must evaluate the specific hazards
associated with the job/operation at the site where the
work is being performed.
Disclaimer
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.
This publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced,
fully or partially, without permission. Source credit is requested
but not required.
How This
Matrix Was Developed
The Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane
Response and Recovery Work (Matrix) is a guidance document
that recommends work practices and PPE, and highlights key
provisions from applicable standards for the jobs, tasks, and
operations that have been, are currently, or are expected to
be vital for hurricane response and recovery efforts.
These guidelines were developed as part of a Mission Assignment
from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through
the implementation of the Worker Safety and Health Support
Annex (Annex) of the National Response Plan (NRP), and in coordination
with the Cooperating Agencies identified in the Annex. The
focus of this Mission Assignment is on Federally deployed assets
(Federal employees and Federal contractors) and the activities
they are likely to perform. Although designed for this workforce,
the information contained in the document may benefit all individuals
conducting these tasks.
The NRP Worker Safety and Health Support Annex requires proactive
pre-incident as well as incident-specific worker safety and
health coordination. OSHA and its cooperative agencies believe
that this document addresses both of these responsibilities
and provides information that should help reduce employee exposure
to, and risk from, the hazards encountered during response
and recovery efforts.
This document is based on presently available information as well as current
occupational safety and health provisions and standards. Employers should modify
their procedures as appropriate when additional, relevant information becomes
available through the established Incident Command System (ICS), Joint Field Office (JFO), or other coordination center or when
modifications to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), or to its standards and regulations necessitate revision.
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*eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety
and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. As indicated in the
disclaimer,
eTools do not create new OSHA requirements.
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