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• Roof Inspection, Tarping, and Repair (26%)
• Debris Collection and Removal (26%)
• Tree Trimming (8%)
• Restoring Electrical Utilities (7%)
• Debris Reduction, Recycling, and Disposal (6%)
• Assessment, Cleanup, and Repair of Structures (2%)
• Restoring Communications Systems (2%)
• Restoring Water and Sewer Services (1%)
  
  

• Hazards most frequently identified in the SitReps for all of the interventions documented.
• Hazards most frequently identified for the each of the eight activities listed above.

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• Work zone safety concerns were highest at 40%: Many entries involved tree trimming or electrical line repair on or near roads. The entries often noted inadequate cones and other barriers at a work zone, improper use or lack of traffic control signs (e.g., directional arrows, flaggers with stop/slow signs), employees standing in areas where they were exposed to oncoming traffic, and lack of use of ANSI-approved high-visibility safety apparel such as vests and gloves. Employers need to ensure that employees establish work zones and traffic controls where multiple pieces of heavy equipment, vehicles, and employees are in close proximity. Work zones must be well marked with barriers, cones, signs, and flaggers to provide plenty of warning and appropriate direction to approaching vehicles.
  
  
• Improper use or lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) (35%):
• Roughly 65% of the PPE entries reference a lack of face and head protection, or the improper use of PPE. Entries indicated that individuals were not using goggles, hard hats, or face shields when those types of PPE were necessary.
• Other types of PPE commonly mentioned include hand protection (e.g., use of reinforced gloves during the handling of debris or insulating gloves when working around electrical lines), hearing protection, and body protection (e.g., chaps to protect the worker’s legs when operating a chainsaw or ANSI-approved high-visibility vests in high traffic areas).
• Approximately 15% of all the entries discussed fall protection use while operating aerial lifts. See next bullet.

Employers should ensure that the job hazard assessment (JHA) for each response and recovery task identifies the PPE needed for employee protection. Employers must provide properly fitting PPE to employees, train them how to use it, and ensure they use it when performing the task. Employers should use the information in this document and the recommendations in the individual activity sheets to identify job hazards that may require PPE use and to select appropriate PPE for employees.

• Fall hazard/inadequate fall protection (35%): Common examples included using ladders that were not properly secured or that did not extend three feet above the landing; structures such as towers used in debris removal sites or scaffolds that did not have adequate guardrails; and individuals not properly protected from falls when on roofs, handling debris on trucks, or using aerial lifts to trim trees or repair utilities. Entries frequently mentioned lack of or improper use of fall protection equipment (i.e., harnesses, lanyards, connectors, and suitable anchorage points) where such equipment was required. Employers must identify potential fall hazards associated with a task and ensure that these hazards are addressed through controls such as guardrails, a safety monitoring system that includes monitors and warning lines, and/or fall protection equipment.
• Aerial Lifts and Fall Protection: Approximately 15% of all the entries discussed fall protection and other PPE use while operating aerial lifts. Almost all of the entries identified a lack of or improper use of fall protection equipment by operators. Employers need to ensure that employees comply with the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.453 including the use of a properly anchored harness for fall protection (or body belt for tethering or restraint use only). For additional information on the use of aerial lifts, users should see the Use of Aerial Lifts activity sheet.
• Struck-by another object (20%): Hazards mentioned included materials falling from roofs, and materials falling while being moved by heavy equipment such as dump trucks, cranes, or grapplers. Employers need to ensure that appropriate precautions are taken such as securing equipment on elevated surfaces, using spotters around heavy equipment, and precluding employees from entering debris-handling zones are taken. Employers must train employees to recognize and avoid these hazards and wear hard hats where overhead hazards exist.
  
  

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• Roof Inspection, Tarping, and Repair
• Debris Collection and Removal
• Tree Trimming
• Restoring Electrical Utilities
• Debris Reduction, Recycling, and Disposal
• Assessment, Cleanup, and Repair of Structures
• Restoring Communications Systems
• Restoring Water and Sewer Services

• Fall protection hazards (missing harness, improperly used harness, etc.) (80%): Entries noted that safety-monitoring systems were not established and that fall protection (harnesses, lanyards, lifelines, connectors, anchorages, and anchorage points) was not used or was used improperly where such equipment was required.
• Improper/unsafe use of ladders or scaffold (35%): Entries noted that ladders were not tied off (to prevent shifting), where not protected at the base from being struck-by passing traffic, and were not extended three or more feet above the landing surface. Nearly a quarter of the entries in this group discuss scaffolding. Scaffolding entries involved missing guardrails (fall protection (above)), working levels that were not completely planked, and scaffolds that were not braced and secured properly.
• PPE (25%): The PPE specifically noted included inadequate face and head protection.
• Electrical hazards (15%): Entries noted that employees did not maintain adequate separation distances from uninsulated energized power lines and were not protected from electrical shock when using power tools to repair roofs (e.g., using electrical power tools without the use of ground-fault circuit interrupters). Employers and employees need to ensure that grounding equipment (e.g., insulating blankets) is installed by electric utility personnel or adequate separation distance is maintained when working near power lines. Employers also need to ensure that power tools are protected by ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) or are double insulated, or need to implement an assured equipment grounding program.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Roof Inspection, Tarping, and Repair; and the Restoring Electrical Utilities activity sheets.
  
  

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• Work zone safety (65%): These typically involved situations where employees were not adequately protected from oncoming traffic or heavy equipment movement. The most common issues mentioned were missing signs or cones.
• PPE-related concerns (40%): The most common concerns documented were lack of face and head protection (e.g., goggles and hard hats), hand protection (e.g., reinforced leather gloves for handling tools and sharp debris), hearing protection, and body protection (e.g., chaps when working with chain saws and ANSI-approved high-visibility vests for use in areas where traffic controls are needed).
• Struck-by hazards (35%): This commonly involved employees not being adequately protected from falling debris during heavy equipment use (e.g., hauling or pushing materials using bulldozers, front-end loaders, or dump trucks). Employers need to ensure that spotters are used when the visibility of heavy equipment operators is restricted and preclude employees from entering areas where debris is handled or can fall from heavy equipment. Employees need to keep a safe distance from heavy machinery, and maintain proper traffic controls near roadways.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Debris Collection and the Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area activity sheets.
  
  

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• PPE-related concerns (55%): Entries described situations where PPE was not used, PPE was used improperly, or PPE was available but employees were not required to use it or were not aware that it was necessary. Inadequate face, head, and body protection were noted in over half of the entries; inadequate hand protection and hearing protection were each noted in over one-quarter of the entries.
• Work zone safety (45%): Entries describe issues involving work zone safety concerns with most noting lack of cones or signs.
• Chainsaw-related hazards (30%): Hazards noted included the inadequate training of employees and unsafe operation of chainsaws. Employers need to ensure that employees inspect the saws before use, plan the cut to safely ground the tree or pieces of the tree, and safely use the chain saw by not cutting overhead or moving long distances without engaging the brake.
• Fall protection (20%): Approximately 75% of these fall protection entries involved the lack of or improper use of fall protection equipment while operating aerial lifts.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and the Tree Trimming, Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area, and Use of Aerial Lifts activity sheets.

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• Work zone safety (40%): Entries describe issues involving work zone safety concerns with most noting lack of cones or signs.
• PPE concerns (20%): Face/head protection and hand protection were each mentioned in approximately one-quarter of the PPE entries.
• Fall hazards (25%): Over half of these entries involved aerial lifts, while another quarter involved improper use of ladders or scaffolds. The aerial lift hazard most frequently noted was the lack or improper use of fall protection equipment by employees in aerial lifts; most often this involved employees who did not properly anchor their fall protection equipment when working from an aerial lift. Ladder and scaffold hazards most frequently involved ladders that could shift because they were not properly tied off at the top or did not have their bases protected from being struck by passing traffic.
• Shock or electrocution hazards (25%): Commonly referenced observations included inadequate protection from contact with live electrical equipment during repairs including an improper use of insulating and grounding equipment and electrically protective PPE. Only 1910.269 qualified employees shall conduct electrical power restoration activities. Ensure that power lines are deenergized whenever possible. In addition, install temporary grounds to protect employees against inadvertent energizing of power lines. Use insulating protective equipment and PPE as needed around power lines.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Restoring Electrical Utilities, Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area, and the Use of Aerial Lifts activity sheets.
  
  

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• PPE concerns (50%): The most common issues involved lack of required hard hats (mentioned in over half of the entries on PPE) and inadequate respiratory protection and hearing protection (each referenced in one-quarter of the entries for this group).
• Work zone safety (45%): These hazards are consistent with the large amounts of heavy equipment used at locations that handle debris.
• Fall hazards (15%): Specific SitRep entries described individuals standing on top of large piles of debris (often in truck beds) without fall protection equipment and employees in observation towers with inadequate hand and guardrails.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations and to the Debris Reduction, Recycling, and Disposal and the Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area activity sheets.
  
  

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• Fall Protection/Fall Hazards (60%): Entries in this group cited fall hazards or improper use of fall protection controls or equipment.
• Ladder and Scaffolding Use (50%): Many of these entries mention not properly protecting the ladder from shifting by tying it off, inadequately protecting a ladder’s base from being struck by passing traffic, and not extending that ladder three or more feet above the landing surface. Scaffolding entries involved employees not adequately protected from falls by guardrails, and scaffolds without proper planking and adequate support.
• PPE issues (30%): Face and head protection (such as goggles and hard hats) were cited in around 80% of the entries in this group; hand protection was cited in roughly 25% of these entries.
• Struck-by hazards (25%): Entries noted employees at risk for being struck-by objects such as construction materials.
• For additional precautions, employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Assessment, Cleanup, and Repair of Structures activity sheet.
  
  

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• Work zone safety (55%): Hazards involved situations where employees were not adequately protected from oncoming traffic. The most common issues mentioned were missing signs or cones.
• Use of Aerial Lifts (40%): Over half of these entries noted the lack or improper use of fall protection equipment by employees in aerial lifts. Most often this involved employees who did not properly anchor their fall protection equipment when working from an aerial lift.
• 25% of all entries for this activity discuss potential fall hazards or lack of fall protection. Almost all of these entries involve the improper use of fall protection equipment during use of aerial lifts.
• PPE issues (10%): The PPE hazard most frequently noted included improper face and head protection (e.g., goggles and hard hats) and hand protection.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Restoring Communications Systems, Work Zone Safety and Traffic Controls within a Work Area, and the Use of Aerial Lifts activity sheets.
  

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• Work zone safety (50%): Entries most often noted lack of cones or signs.
• Trench/excavation hazards (40%) while accessing the water or sewer lines. Trenching hazards associated with water and sewer system restoration included cave-in hazards (mentioned in nearly half of these entries) and exit/egress issues (mentioned in over one-quarter of these entries). Employers need to ensure that trenches are properly protected from cave-in and must have a competent person inspect trenches before employees are allowed to enter them and periodically thereafter.
• PPE concerns (30%): Over half of the entries note inadequate face and head protection and over a quarter noted a lack of hearing protection when this protection was required. Inadequate foot protection (e.g., lack of waterproof boots when needed) was also discussed in several of these entries.
• For additional precautions employers and employees should refer to the Recommendations section and to the Restoring Water and Sewer Services, Work Zone Safety and Traffic Controls within a Work Area, and the Trenches and Excavations activity sheets.

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• Two employee fatalities that occurred during the Removal of Floodwaters from Structures and Initial Entry into Previously Flooded Areas. These fatalities occurred on the same date and at the same location when the employees were overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas during removal of water from a confined space.
• Two additional fatalities occurred during Heavy Equipment and Powered Industrial Truck Use. One person was struck by a truck that flipped over on top of him after he got out of the vehicle, which he had parked on soft mulch. One person was crushed when the jack he was using to lift the trailer slipped, causing the truck’s bumper to fall on his head. Four heavy equipment fatalities are discussed in the debris reduction, recycling, and disposal; debris collection and removal; and the restoring electrical utilities sections.
  

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• Work Zone Safety: Work zone safety precautions and traffic control procedures are necessary to protect response and recovery workers performing tasks adjacent to or in roadways, and within a work site where heavy equipment and vehicles are operating near others. In both cases individuals are at risk of being struck, either by on-coming traffic or by vehicles and heavy equipment moving around the site. After a hurricane, much of the recovery work requires accessing structures, utilities, or debris from roadways. Most recovery operations require the use of heavy equipment. For this reason, the Matrix includes an activity sheet on Work Zone Safety and Traffic Controls within a Work Area, which includes engineering controls, work practices, and additional PPE that employers must implement and require the use of to protect employees. In general, employers must:
• Ensure that employees understand the importance of establishing traffic controls.
• Mark work zones with needed barriers, cones, signs, and/or flaggers to provide plenty of warning and appropriate direction to approaching vehicles.
• Within work sites, establish a traffic control pattern, mark work zones with cones, barricades, and signs, and ensure that heavy equipment operators stay alert and are aware of other equipment and personnel near them and their direction of travel.
• Fall Hazards and Fall Protection: Fall hazards and exposure controls, including engineering controls, work practices, and PPE, are highlighted in the individual activity sheets in this Matrix. Employers should review the individual activity sheets for the operation their employees are anticipated to perform and identify potential fall hazards. In general, employers must:
• Address fall hazards through controls such as guardrails, a safety monitoring system including monitors and warning lines, and/or fall protection equipment.
• If fall protection equipment is required, train employees to understand where this equipment is required and how to use it properly.
• Where employees will use aerial lifts, provide them with fall protection equipment that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.453 and instruct them how to use the equipment and anchor themselves to the bucket.
• PPE: Head, eye, hand, and foot protection was required for most of the activities response and recovery workers performed during hurricane response and recovery operations. In many cases the PPE was not provided or its use was not enforced. The Matrix identifies the head, hand, eye, and foot protection recommended for all activities in the disaster response and recovery area in the General Recommendations section of the Matrix. The Matrix also identifies additional PPE for specific hazards in the individual activity sheets. In general, employers must:
• Assess the need for PPE, and select the PPE that will protect an employee performing the job
• Ensure that PPE is available and sized for the employee
• Train employees when and how to use required PPE
• Enforce the use of PPE when it is required
• Ladders and Scaffolding: This equipment was used frequently to access structures, roofs, trees, etc., and to work from to complete inspection, repair and other tasks at elevated locations. The Matrix includes the improper use of ladders and scaffolds as a hazard in many of the individual activity sheets and highlights engineering controls, work practices, and PPE in each. In general, employers must:
• Ensure that ladders are properly secured, protected, and always extend three feet above landings
• Ensure that scaffolding is secured, properly planked, and has guardrails installed when needed. Scaffolding must also be inspected by a competent person prior to use.

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