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National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
July
1994
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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: (1) limited
openings for entry or exit; (2) unfavorable natural ventilation;
or (3) 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.
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.
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.
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.
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Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
For more information
about these or other occupational safety and health concerns,
call toll free: 1-800-35-NIOSH
DHHS(NIOSH) Publication No.
94-123
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