Tag Archives: exposures

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Head Protection, Respiratory Safety

PROTECTING WORKERS’ SAFETY & HEALTH DURING RESCUE AND RECOVERY, PART II

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Rescue workers and emergency responders never know what type of hazards they may face, depending on the particular type of disaster that occurs.  We began listing general precautions that they should take in Part I of this article.  Although we know that they are prepared for all types of emergencies, we want to share this information in hopes that it will be of assistance. 

Rescue workers and emergency responders will more than likely be exposed to blood or body fluids, or pathogens from sewer system breakage.  It is very important that they wear gloves, other protective clothing, and respiratory protection.  Decontamination of workers and equipment (P.P.E.),  before leaving the site is very important to prevent adverse health effects, contain any hazards to the site, and prevent secondary contamination of off-site facilities (e.g., fire stations, or workers’ homes) or additional equipment, such as ambulances.  Slips, trips and fall hazards from holes or protruding rebar may exist.  Fall protection equipment, with lifelines tied off to suitable anchorage points (e.g., bucket trucks) should be used whenever possible.  Hardhats should be worn when working around unstable structures where there is a potential for secondary collapse.  Also, there could be types of over-hanging debris that could fall on workers. 

In Part I, the use of respiratory protection was mentioned.  N-95 or greater respiratory protection is acceptable for most activities with dust exposure, including silica and cement dust.  Use full-face respirators with P-100 organic vapor-acid gas combination cartridges if airborne contaminants are causing eye irritation.  

Workers should be monitored for signs of heat/cold stress, such as altered vital signs, confusion, excessive sweating, and fatigue.  Work schedules should be adjusted to rotate personnel, and additional workers should be added to work teams.  Everyone should refrain from food and beverages in areas exposed to toxic materials. 

Because so many disasters have already occurred this year, it is important to know that when large-scale disasters overwhelm State and local assets, the National Response Framework (NRF) Worker Safety and Health Support Annex can provide technical assistance needed to help protect Federal, State, Tribal, and local organizations’ response and recovery workers.  According to OSHA, depending on the scope, complexity, and hazards associated with the incident services of the NRF include the following: 

  1. Identifying and assessing worker health and safety hazards present at the site and in the environment.
  2. Assessing the resources needed to protect workers and identifying sources available to meet those needs.
  3. Providing technical expertise in industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, structural collapse engineering, safety engineering, radiation safety, biological and chemical agent response, and occupational medicine.
  4. Managing the creation and implementation of a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP).
  5. Monitoring and managing worker safety and health hazards through on-site identification, evaluation, analysis, and mitigation, including personal exposure monitoring.
  6. Providing assistance with developing, implementing, and monitoring the personal protective equipment (PPE) program, including the selection, use and decontamination of PPE.
  7. Coordinating the collection and management of exposure and accident/injury data to identify trends and facilitate data sharing.
  8. Coordinating and providing incident-specific response and recovery worker training.
  9. Assisting with the development and distribution of educational materials on preventing and mitigating hazards. 

Although we wish that this year’s disasters were over, it is only May, and there are seven months left in this year.  We know that thunderstorm season is here, as well as flooding disasters, with hurricane season not too far behind.  We owe our thanks to those emergency workers who stand by, prepared to serve whenever and wherever needed. 

Source: OSHA

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PROTECTING WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH DURING RESCUE AND RECOVERY – PART I

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Rescue workers and emergency responders are the first to arrive on the scene following a catastrophe, and often it is in unfamiliar surroundings and adverse weather conditions.  Rescue workers and emergency responders are ready to save lives and secure the environment to help protect the lives of those to follow.  Operations that they may be involved in include victim rescue or body recovery around piles of rubble and other debris, collapsed structures or near structural steel.  Hazards may exist at every twist and turn.  Many times, utility services are damaged, including downed electrical cables, overhead power lines, broken gas lines, compressed gas cylinders, or broken steam or water mains.  There may be piles of construction and all types of debris that workers are exposed to.  Service personnel from utility companies should be in charge of restoring power. 

Respiratory protection is very important to combat effects from breathing dust and hazardous atmospheres which may contain some, or all, of the following: freon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, welding gases, airborne smoke and dust, and/or flying debris.  Respiratory assistance is also needed when entering confined spaces with limited openings from entry or exits.  If working in confined spaces, be sure that at least one person remains outside the space to monitor operations and can assist in an evacuation if necessary.  Rescue equipment and reliable communications, along with functioning alarm systems, are imperative in this type of situation. 

Hearing protection is necessary because of excessive noise from heavy equipment, rescue/ventilation, tools and generators that are used in these processes.  When heavy equipment is being operated, a spotter should be close by each piece of heavy equipment to protect rescue workers.  Workers should wear high-visibility safety vests to ensure that they are identifiable by other rescue and support workers.  Footwear should protect against sharp debris.  Safety glasses with side shields, at a minimum, are also necessary items of Personal Protective Equipment. 

Hand protection, of course, should always be worn, as there will be many potentially infectious materials present.  Sometimes it is important to use latex or nitrile gloves under heavy-duty gloves, which will protect the wearer from puncture wounds, cuts, or injuries that break the skin.  A combination of a cut-proof inner layer glove and a latex or similar outer layer is preferable. 

We will conclude with Part II of this article tomorrow.  There are other potential hazards and suggestions for safety that we want to pass on to you.  Our rescue, recovery, and emergency personnel are highly trained professionals and volunteers, and we feel it is important that the general public knows what they face during these trying times. 

Source: OSHA

 

 

 

General Safety Issues

THIS IS NATIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES WEEK!

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Between May 15th through May 21st, communities and medical personnel come together to publicize safety and honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day life saving of emergency medicine’s “front line.”  May 18th is a day set aside as Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Day.  FEMA regional Administrator Ken Murphy states that this is all about celebrating EMS providers – first responders, hospitals, emergency physicians and public health providers, with this year’s theme, “Everyday Heroes.” 

We citizens may take this front line of emergency medicine for granted, not fully understanding how much training and preparation has to be done to take care of us in an emergency situation.  Ambulances with trained staff, as well as our fire departments, police, and other agencies are on location quickly.  Some EMT’s and paramedics work with airplane and helicopter transports and are highly trained to keep patients stable until they reach a trauma unit for further care.  First responders serve not only those in cities and communities, but are stationed at remote sites such as offshore oil rigs.  They offer stand-by services at events such as concerts and ballgames.  Paramedics teach first aid courses to both company employees and individuals.  This enables all of us to be better prepared in times of emergencies. 

Our lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMT’s) and paramedics.  These professionals see various types of injuries, resulting from heart attacks, slips and falls, automobile accidents or gunshot wounds, requiring immediate medical attention.  EMT’s and paramedics assess the nature of the patient’s condition, and determine what emergency care is needed while they transport the patient to a medical facility.  

The EMT-Basic represents the first level of the emergency medical team.  He/she is prepared through training to care for patients at the scene of an accident and while transporting patients by ambulance to the hospital under the direction of more highly trained medical personnel.  They have the skills to assess a patient’s condition and manage respiratory, cardiac and trauma emergencies.  These EMT-Basics know how to use and maintain common emergency equipment, such as backboards, suction devices, splints, oxygen delivery systems, and stretchers.  Once they have graduated from approved training programs, they must pass a written and practical examination administered by the State licensing agency or the NREMT. 

The EMT-Intermediate level has training requirements that vary by state.  Typically, this level requires 30 to 350 hours of training based on scope of practice.  They learn advanced skills such as the use of advanced airway devices, intravenous fluids, and some medications. 

Paramedic is the most advanced level of training for this occupation.  This level of caregiver has received training in anatomy and physiology, as well as advanced medical skills.  This training is most commonly conducted in community colleges and technical schools, which may result in an associate degree.  These programs may take up to one to two years.  Paramedics may become supervisors, managers, administrative directors, or executive directors of emergency services.  Some EMT’s and paramedics become instructors, or physician assistants.  

Hopefully, this week, you will stop and think about the important role our emergency medical providers play in our lives.  These folks are required to do much kneeling, bending and heavy lifting.  They are at a higher risk for contacting illnesses or experiencing injuries on the job.  Many times, they work long hours, and the work is not only strenuous but can be very stressful.  Their services are required 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  When you get a chance, say “Thank You” to a first responder for what they do. 

This article is dedicated to David, our son-in-law, who has been a Paramedic for years.  He was an executive director of pre-hospital services for a large Texas hospital prior to starting his own medical transport service.  A very knowledgeable and caring person, he truly is an “Everyday Hero.”