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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) Homepage
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