Disaster Cleanup and Safety Precautions

Injury or illness can occur when cleaning up your business following a disaster. Disasters result in obvious hazards such as downed power lines and contaminated waters, and hidden dangers such as molds and toxins. Taking the proper cleanup precautions means you can get back to business sooner. The following resources provide business owners with tips and advice to help them safely get back on their feet.

General Resources

These resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide general guidance and information on specific cleanup issues:

• Guide to Cleaning Up Safely After a Disaster
  Includes factsheets, videos and podcasts covering a number of topics relevant to small business owners.
• Prevent Illness After a Disaster
  Learn how to protect you and others from getting sick as a result from a disaster.
• Prevent Injury After a Disaster
  Learn how to prevent injuring yourself when cleaning up after a disaster.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published information on cleanup hazards during natural disaster recoveries and workers' safety following hurricanes.

Specific Cleanup and Safety Issues

In addition to the CDC and OSHA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) help businesses deal with specific cleanup concerns.

Buildings and Equipment

• Cleaning and Sanitizing with Bleach After an Emergency
  Learn how to clean and sanitize your facilities using bleach.
• Cleaning Flood Contaminated HVAC Systems : A Guide for Building Owners and Managers
  Steps to cleaning and remediation of HVAC Systems.
• Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings
  EPA provides these precautions for handing and disposing of building materials.
• Disposing of Debris and Removing Hazardous Waste
  FEMA info on handling and disposing of hazardous debris and waste.
• OSHA Resources on Disaster Recovery Hazards
  List of documents to help business owners deal with workplace and facility cleanup after a disaster.

Flooding and Mold

• After a Hurricane or Flood: Cleanup of Flood Water
  Learn how to protect yourself from diseases caused by flood water.
• Flood Cleanup Factsheet
  OSHA tips and advice for safely cleaning up flood water.
• Dealing with Mold After a Disaster
  CDC guide explaining the health effects of mold exposure, and how to prevent mold growth.
• Mold Cleanup in Schools and Commercial Buildings
  Info for building managers, custodians, and others who are responsible for commercial building and school maintenance.
• Mold Resources
  Learn how mold can cause serious health problems, and get instructions on how to deal with mold and eliminate it through moisture control.

Chemical and Oil Spills, Hazardous Wastes, and Pesticides

If you encounter hazardous material spills or discharges ...

• Immediately Call the National Response Center 1-800-424-8802 (24 hours a day every day). For those without 800 access, please call 202-267-2675.
• Contact the National Pesticide Information Center: 1-800-858-7378. Pesticide contacts in government, states, and other organizations.
• Get more info on how to report environmental emergencies and spills

The CDC's Chemical Hazards Guide provides advice for protecting yourself form chemicals released during a natural disaster.