Tag Archives: storm

Eye Protection, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, High Visibility Safety, Protective Clothing, Respiratory Safety

TIPS FOR STORM, FLOOD, HURRICANE RESPONSE

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With the recent floods and tornadoes in the midwest, and hurricanes looming in the south, it’s wise to remember that storm and flood cleanup activities can be hazardous. Workers and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved, and take proper safety precautions. Work-related hazards that could be encountered include: electrical hazards,carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal hazards, heat stress, motor vehicles, hazardous materials, fire, confined spaces and falls. This information is to help employers and workers prepare in advance for anticipated response activities, and to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses in the field once rescue, recovery, and clean-up begin. 

Disaster response teams are equipped with certified equipment that meets the needs to protect them from biological hazards, hazardous materials, waterborne and bloodborne pathogens.  Volunteers may not have previous experience in using personal protective equipment; therefore, they should be trained properly in how to don this equipment, wear it,  maintain it and know when and how to replace it. 

Personal protective equipment that is absolutely necessary in these types of clean-ups are:

  • Safety Glasses;
  • Respirators;
  • Water resistant clothing;
  • Boots;
  • Gloves (latex or nitrile), and if necessary, to be used under other gloves when removing rubble or debris;
  • Goggles;
  • Faceshields;
  • Boots. 

While making a rescue, responders should have gloves on to protect from  bloodborne infections such as HIV, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C.  In case of a sudden emergency, first responders are prepared with all the equipment they need and will train and help other responders and volunteers.  Another suggestion is to have hi-visibility hardhats, gloves, and/or vests, in order for workers to be seen when working around heavy equipment that may be operating  at the same time.  In case of flooding, storms, and hurricanes, it takes everyone working together to handle rescue and clean-up operations. 

We’ll be hoping for clear skies for the folks that have experienced this bad weather, and rain for the ones who need it – just not too much at one time!

 

Source: NIOSH

General Safety Issues

BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES!

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As if there’s not enough to worry about for folks on the Gulf of Mexico coastlines and off-shore drilling rigs, hurricane season began June 1st.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and many other reputable weather forecasters are predicting the worst hurricane season since Katrina hit in 2005.  They are predicting there will be between fourteen to twenty-three named storms, with eight to fourteen developing into hurricanes.  There were fifteen in 2005.  Katrina was the costliest natural disaster taking 1,500 peoples’ lives, and an $80 billion worth of damage.

Persons living in Eastern states to the Gulf of Mexico to North England will be watching all summer.  The water in the eastern Atlantic is warmer than usual, and warm surface temperatures bring more, and more powerful hurricanes.  If a hurricane forms before the spill in the Gulf of Mexico is stopped, it could add to an already devastating event.

People who live in hurricane vulnerable states have become complacent following milder seasons of the past few years, and are not prepared for a future occurrence.  Ron Sachs is executive director of National Hurricane Survival Initiative, a public education and safety outreach partnership with government organizations, relief agencies, as well as National Hurricane Center, FEMA, Salvation Army, State of North Carolina, National Emergency Management, and businesses such as Travelers, Plylox, and AT&T.  The NHSI launched an interactive website “The National Hurricane Survival Test”, which airs on more than 50 television and cable network affiliates.

Mr. Sachs feels that people wait until the last minute to leave their homes, even with advanced warnings.  It is advised to either get ready now or wait until disaster strikes, when it will be too late.  Failure to take the many options in being prepared can cost your home, livelihood, and possibly, your family.  It would be wise to follow these instructions:

  • Plan ahead;
  • Secure your home;
  • Have a plan that includes your family, elderly, and pets;
  • Be sure your insurance papers are in order;
  • You need to have a 3-day supply of food and water for each individual;
  • Have a first aid kit and flashlight;
  • Be sure you have all medicines;
  • Notify next of kin or friends that you may be needing to stay with them until the all-clear;
  • In the event of a hurricane hitting your town, do not go back until the authorities give permission.  Many times, downed power lines or other hazards cause injuries.

Hopefully, the forecasters will miss their mark and there won’t be as many hurricanes as anticipated.  Until then, be ready to batten down the hatches.  This saying has a nautical origin – battening down was done on ships getting ready for bad weather.  A batten is a strip of wood. (Just a little trivia for today.)