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Disaster Preparedness Checklist:
Click
here for a more comprehensive list of products you’ll need.
POST-HURRICANE HAZARDS –
edited from Aug.
3 2005 issue of Saf-T-News
When a hurricane hits, the hazards are obvious. But hurricanes
also leave a mixed bag of hazards behind. Anyone working to clean
up after a hurricane should be aware of the potential dangers; use
personal protective equipment such as gloves, hard hats, steel toe
rubber boots and hearing protectors; and proceed with due caution.
Here are some of the things to look out for:
When power lines are down or water is standing near electrical
circuits and equipment, turn off the power at the main breaker on
the service panel before handling any electrical equipment. Keep
the power off until the equipment has been inspected by a qualified
electrician. Never handle a downed power line by yourself.
Cleanup work often relies on pumps and generators powered by gasoline
or diesel. Because the combustion produces carbon monoxide, any
gas- or diesel-powered engines should be run outdoors.
Cleanup almost always involves bending, lifting and moving. With
weight and repetition, serious musculoskeletal injuries can occur.
Hands, back, knees and shoulders can suffer stress from handling
objects repeatedly or from lifting heavy objects. Prevent these
kinds of injuries by working in teams of two or more. Get help when
lifting objects that weigh over 50 lbs. and whenever possible, use
lifting devices.
Heat and cold can put cleanup crews at risk. Heat stroke, heat
exhaustion, heat cramps and hypothermia are all potential risks.
Protect against them by drinking plenty of fluids, wearing high
rubber boots in flooded areas, taking frequent breaks and changing
into dry clothes whenever possible.
Any building or structure that has been submerged or withstood
heavy wave action or water flow may have suffered structural weakening.
Never assume that such a building is stable. If you hear noises
that indicate movement or heaving, leave the building. If you smell
gas or suspect a gas leak, leave the area. If you are uncertain,
get a professional inspection. Any building damaged by water should
be examined by a certified building inspector, professional engineer
or licensed architect before cleanup begins.
The disruptive water and winds that hurricanes bring can cause
hazardous spills by dislodging and moving storage tanks. If a spill
occurs, contact your local fire department immediately.
Here is a handful of general safety tips and other considerations
for hurricane cleanup crews:
• Wait until authorities have declared the area safe before
returning home
• Stay alert for road debris when driving
• Set priorities for cleanup tasks
• Set a work pace that avoids exhaustion
• Try to maintain normal sleep hours to prevent exhaustion
• Avoid working in areas with moving water
• Storms can disable smoke and fire alarms; keep a fire extinguisher
nearby
• Take advantage of disaster relief programs
For information on hurricane cleanup from OSHA, go to: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=11477
For information from the CDC on hurricane preparation and response,
go to: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/hurricanes/index.asp
For more information from the CDC and NIOSH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/flood.html
For information on hurricane response from the Red Cross, go to:
http://www.redcross.org/article/0,1072,0_312_4371,00.html
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