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The
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns flood
workers that when the seemingly endless rain tapers off and the flood
waters recede, they will continue to face a number of hazards associated
with cleanup activities. "Unfortunately the danger of a flood does
not end when the rains cease," said NIOSH Director, Dr. Linda Rosenstock.
"We must work together to prevent illnesses and injuries that can
accompany cleanup efforts," she stressed.
Workers
and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential
dangers involved and the proper safety precautions. Because the level
of experience varies among these workers, cleanup crews must work together
and look out for one another to ensure safety. NIOSH urgently requests
your assistance in disseminating the following warnings to all those involved
in flood cleanup. The work-related hazards listed here are described in
greater detail on the subsequent pages: Electrical Hazards, Carbon Monoxide,
Musculoskeletal Hazards, Thermal Stresses, Heavy Equipment, Structural
Instability, Hazardous Materials, Fire, Drowning, Confined Spaces, Power
Line Hazards, Agricultural Hazards, Stress and Fatigue.
Electrical
Hazards:
NIOSH
has investigated several work-related electrocution deaths following
natural disasters. To prevent future electrocutions, NIOSH urges those
involved in cleanup activities to take the following steps:
If water
has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment,
turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel.
Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected
by a qualified electrician. Never enter flooded areas or touch electrical
equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain that the power
is off. NEVER handle a downed power line.
When
using gasoline and diesel generators to supply power to a building,
switch the main breaker or fuse on the service panel to the "off"
position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent inadvertent
energization of power lines from backfeed electrical energy from the
generators, and help to protect utility line workers from possible electrocution.
If clearing
or other work must be performed near a downed power line, contact the
utility company to discuss de-energizing and grounding or shielding
of power lines. Extreme caution is necessary when moving ladders and
other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact.
If you are working on or near power lines, refer to the additional recommendations
provided in that section below.
Carbon Monoxide:
Flood
cleanup activities may involve the use of gasoline- or diesel-powered
pumps, generators, and pressure washers. Because these devices release
carbon monoxide, a deadly, colorless, odorless gas, operate all gasoline-powered
devices outdoors and never bring them indoors. It is virtually
impossible to assess adequate ventilation. NIOSH has investigated several
carbon monoxide poisoning deaths in the past caused by the use of gasoline-powered
engines indoors or in confined spaces.
Musculoskeletal
Hazards:
Cleanup
workers are at risk for developing serious musculoskeletal injuries
to the hands, back, knees, and shoulders. Special attention is needed
to avoid back injuries associated with manual lifting and handling of
debris and building materials. To help prevent injury, use teams of
two or more to move bulky objects, avoid lifting any material that weighs
more than 50 pounds (per person), and use proper automated-assist lifting
devices.
Thermal Stresses:
Heat
Cleanup
workers are at serious risk for developing heat stress. Excessive exposure
to hot environments can cause a variety of heat-related problems, including
heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and fainting. To reduce the
potential for heat stress, drink a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes
and wear light-colored, loose- fitting clothing. Additionally, incorporate
work-rest cycles into work routines, work during the cooler hours of
the day, when possible, or distribute the workload evenly throughout
the day. When air conditioning is unavailable, open windows and use
fans.
Cold
Standing
or working in water which is cooler than 75 degrees F (24 degrees C)
will remove body heat more rapidly than it can be replaced, resulting
in hypothermia. To reduce the risk of hypothermia, wear high rubber
boots, ensure that clothing and boots have adequate insulation, avoid
working alone, take frequent breaks out of the water, and
change into dry clothing when possible.
Heavy Equipment:
Only
those properly trained should operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers,
backhoes, and tractors. If you are operating this type of equipment,
turn it off and block it against motion prior to dismounting for any
reason.
Structural
Instability:
Flood
waters can rearrange and damage natural walkways, as well as sidewalks,
parking lots, roads, buildings, and open fields. Never assume that water-damaged
structures or ground are stable. Buildings that have been submerged
or have withstood rushing flood waters may have suffered structural
damage and could be dangerous. Don t work in or around any flood-damaged
building until it has been examined and certified as safe for work by
a registered professional engineer or architect. Assume all stairs,
floors, and roofs are unsafe until they are inspected. Leave immediately
if shifting or unusual noises signal a possible collapse.
Hazardous Materials:
Flood
waters can dislodge tanks, drums, pipes, and equipment, which may contain
hazardous materials such as pesticides or propane. Do not attempt to
move unidentified dislodged containers without first contacting the
local fire department or hazardous materials team. If working in potentially
contaminated areas, avoid skin contact or inhalation of vapors by wearing
appropriate protective clothing and respirators. Contact NIOSH for more
information on the proper safety equipment. Frequently and thoroughly
wash skin areas that may have been exposed to pesticides and other hazardous
chemicals.
Fire:
Fire
can pose a major threat to an already badly damaged flood area for several
reasons: inoperative fire protection systems, hampered fire department
response, inoperable firefighting water supplies, and flood-damaged
fire protection systems. Workers and employers must therefore take extra
precautions. At least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating
of at least 10A, should be provided at every cleanup job.
Drowning:
When entering moving water, you are at risk for drowning, regardless
of your ability to swim. Because those in vehicles are at greatest risk
of drowning, it is important to comply with all hazard warnings on roadways
and to avoid driving vehicles or heavy equipment into water of an unknown
depth. NIOSH recommends that you avoid working alone and wear a Coast
Guard-approved life jacket when working in or near flood waters.
PREVENTION MEASURES
First Aid:
First
aid, even for minor cuts and burns, is extremely important when exposure
to waters potentially contaminated with human, animal, or toxic wastes
exists. Immediately clean out all open wounds and cuts with
soap and clean water. Most cuts, except minor scratches, sustained during
flood cleanup activities will warrant treatment to prevent tetanus.
If you are injured, contact a physician to determine the necessary type
of treatment.
Protective
Equipment:
For most
work in flooded areas, you will need the following personal protective
equipment: hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots
with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank). For information on
what equipment you need for protection, contact your local OSHA office
or NIOSH.
Excessive
noise from equipment such as chain saws, backhoes, tractors, pavement
breakers, blowers, and dryers may cause ringing in the ears and subsequent
hearing damage. If working with any noise that you must shout over to
be heard, you should wear earplugs or other hearing protection devices.
Working in
Confined Spaces:
If you
are required to work in a boiler, furnace, pipeline, pit, pumping station,
septic tank, sewage digester, storage tank, utility vault, well, or
similar enclosure, you should be aware of the hazards of working in
confined spaces. A confined space has one or more of the following characteristics:
- limited
openings for entry or exit;
-
unfavorable natural ventilation; or
- is
not designed for continuous worker occupancy.
Toxic
gases, a lack of oxygen, or explosive conditions may exist in the confined
area, resulting in a potentially deadly atmosphere. Because many toxic
gases and vapors cannot be seen or smelled, never trust your senses
to determine if safe entry is possible. Never enter a confined
space unless you have been properly trained, even to rescue a fellow
worker! If you need to enter a confined space and do not have the proper
training and equipment, contact your local fire department for assistance.
Working On
or Near Power Lines:
Several
workers have died of electrocution following natural disasters. Workers
and employers must take extreme caution while attempting to restore
power or clear areas near downed power lines. In one instance, a worker
lost his life following Hurricane Hugo after removing trees from a de-energized
power line that had been knocked down by the storm. While inspecting
the completed work, the man stepped on the line and was electrocuted
by "feedback" energy from a portable backup generator at a
nearby gas station. Feedback energy occurs when a de-energized line
becomes energized by a secondary power source.
A year
later, another worker died cleaning branches from a power line, following
a tropical storm. He was electrocuted after falling from a tree onto
a line thought to be de-energized. Although the workers had opened a
fused switch on a transformer, the line remained energized through another
transformer.
If you
are working on or near power lines, the following steps may save your
life:
- Treat all power lines as energized until you have followed the
required procedures for personally de-energizing and testing them
with an appropriate testing device. Do not rely on "fuzzing"
to determine if a power line has been de-energized.
- Verifying that a line is not energized may not ensure your safety.
You must also ground lines on both the load and supply sides of the
work area. Grounding is necessary to protect you from the hazards
of feedback electrical energy from a secondary power source, such
as a portable generator.
- When restoring power in underground vaults, added precautions are
necessary to avoid explosion hazards. As vaults containing electrical
connections are drained or pumped out, and energized, potentially
explosive gases may form. If you are required to work in a utility
vault, refer to the Confined Spaces section of this Update.
AGRICULTURAL
HAZARDS
If you
are involved in cleanup efforts on or near farms, you may face these additional
hazards:
Confined
Spaces on Farms:
Molding
or fermenting agricultural materials in confined spaces may generate
large amounts of toxic gases which could cause lung damage or death
if inhaled. Turn on fans or blowers in silos and other storage areas
at least 30 minutes before entering and leave them on while working.
Never open an oxygen-limiting silo if heating is suspected. Also, never
enter these areas alone, and always use a full body safety harness.
Respiratory
Hazards:
Wet hay,
grain, silage, compost, and other organic/agricultural materials often
grow large amounts of bacteria and mold during the warm summer weather.
Breathing these organisms and the organic dust produced may cause lung
disease.
Use proper
engineering controls, including adequate fresh air ventilation. When
exposure to organic dust cannot be avoided, use NIOSH-certified air-purifying
respirators with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters to reduce
the risk.
Stored
Hay:
Wet hay will mold very quickly. The biological processes involved
in the formation of bacteria and mold can cause the hay to undergo spontaneous
combustion. Monitor wet hay for odors, hot and damp areas, and rising
vapors. If you detect these hazards, remove the wet hay from the building.
STRESS, LONG
HOURS, AND FATIGUE MAY INCREASE THE RISKS FOR INJURY AND ILLNESS
Continued
long hours of work, combined with emotional and physical exhaustion
and losses from damaged homes and temporary job layoffs, can create
a highly stressful situation for flood cleanup workers. Workers exposed
to these stressful conditions have an increased risk of injury and emotional
crisis, and are more vulnerable to stress-induced illnesses and disease.
Emotional
support from family members, neighbors, and local mental health professionals
can help to prevent more serious stress-related problems in the difficult
months ahead.
People
working in all phases of flood cleanup can reduce their risks of injury
and illness in several ways:
- Set
priorities for cleanup tasks and pace the work over several days (or
weeks). Avoid physical exhaustion.
- Resume
a normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible. Get plenty of rest
and take frequent rest breaks BEFORE exhaustion builds up.
- Take
advantage of disaster relief programs and services in your community.
- Be
alert to emotional exhaustion or strain. When family members and neighbors
are unavailable for emotional support, consult professionals at community
health and mental health centers.
For more
information about these or other occupational safety and health concerns,
call toll free:
1-800-35-NIOSH
1-800-356-4674
E-mail NIOSH
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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