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More Information and Resources on Disaster Response

Floating orange caution barrels in a flood area

Carbon Monoxide

Workers deployed for hurricane disaster work need to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisonings. CO is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death if inhaled. When power outages occur during natural disasters and other emergencies, the use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating or cooking can cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside. Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper – or even outside near an open window or window air conditioner.

All relief workers and emergency responders should:

  • Never use a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline engine-driven tool (such as a concrete saw, water pump, or compressor) indoors or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. One generator produces as much CO as hundreds of cars.
  • Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
  • Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
  • Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
  • Learn to recognize the symptoms and signs of CO overexposure: headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness, visual disturbances, changes in personality, and loss of consciousness. Any of these symptoms and signs can occur within minutes of usage.

CDC provides guidance to prevent CO poisoning after a disaster that includes a basic overview on preventing CO poisoning after an emergency, clinical guidance, public safety announcements and other educational materials at https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/carbonmonoxide.html.

Chain Saws/Tree Removal

People use chain saws to clear downed or dangerous trees after natural disasters. Misusing chain saws can seriously injure or kill the chainsaw operator, or others nearby. The resources below give more detailed information.

Preventing Chain Saw Injuries During Tree Removal After a Disaster

OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely With Chain Saws

Chemical Safety During Hurricane Response/Recovery

Flooding and other damage from hurricanes often cause dangers for emergency responders and other disaster relief workers. Chemicals that were normally stored safely could be released to the environment because of the hurricane damage. Responders could be exposed to chemicals in industrial settings, but chemicals stored in residences, retail establishments, or other places could also be dangers.

    • The chemicals released depend on the types of facilities in the area, the types of chemicals produced or kept at affected facilities and homes, and the structural damage to facilities and homes.
    • Workers should know the hazards of internal combustion engines used inside structures during electrical outages.
    • Workers need to know about chemical agents to plan for possible risks from chemical releases. Several chemical databases give detailed information on chemical agents that can be released during emergency response, including how to keep workers from being exposed to these agents.
    • The emergency response information from the CDC provides facts, descriptions, and emergency response information from CDC related to over 80 specific chemical agents.
    • First responders can use the Chemical Hazards Emergency Medical Management (CHEMM) site, which reports on categories of chemicals based on symptoms of toxicity.

If responders find hazardous chemical containers or leaking materials, they should take measures to protect themselves, such as moving to a safe distance upwind. Responders should also contact hazardous material response workers to evaluate the risk and remove hazardous substances before responders resume work in the area.

Learn more

Additional Information

Backfeed Power from Portable Generators

Residents may have connected a portable generator to the house. This can cause backfeed where power flows in the opposite direction from its usual flow or voltage can be present on a conductor or associated equipment after it has been disconnected from its normal source. Because of this, workers restoring power to homes may be exposed to electrocution from backfeed power. NIOSH recommends taking the steps below to stay safe when working around sources of electricity.

  • Treat all lines as “hot,” unless you know for sure they are no longer hot and are properly disconnected and grounded on both sides of the work area.
  • Wear the required protective equipment for the voltage level you may be exposed to.
  • Make sure there is a visible open point between the load and the power supply by opening a fused disconnect, fused switch, or by removing a tap jumper if the load permits.

Learn more

Electrical Safety and Generators

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance

The Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance™ (ERHMS) framework recommends actions for keeping workers safe in any emergency, large or small, and in any setting, including natural disasters. This information applies to emergency responders and recovery workers, as well as volunteers.

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance Topic Page, including the ERHMS framework and online trainings

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance: NRT Technical Assistance Document

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance: A Guide for Key Decision Makers

Preventing Falls

Hurricane and flooding damage can increase the chance of emergency responders falling. Falls from heights (including stepladders and one-story structures) are more likely to result in death—but slips, trips, and falls on the same level happen more often and can still cause serious injury.

Protecting Workers From Slips, Trips, and Falls During Disaster Responses

GRIP Rating Scheme for the Slip Resistance of Footwear

Ladder Safety app

Fire Ants

Hurricane flooding can disturb fire ants. They cling together and float in floodwaters, and they can bite and sting responders and recovery workers.

NIOSH Fire Ants

Heat Stress

Hurricane responders and workers can face heat stress because these storms often strike in tropical environments that are hot and humid. Responders also perform physically demanding tasks and sometimes wear protective equipment and clothing, which can trap heat.

NIOSH Heat Stress

OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool App(Available in Spanish when phone language settings are set for Spanish)

Identifying and Handling Human Remains

Responders and workers can come into direct contact with human remains, where blood and body fluids, feces, and gastrointestinal toxins pose the greatest risk. Human remains can contain viruses such as Hepatitis A, B, C and HIV, as well as bacteria that can cause diarrheal diseases (E. coli, enteritis, cholera, and Shigella). Remains can also carry respiratory diseases such as tuberculosis. Responders and workers should use personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their skin and mucous membranes. Suitable precautions include training in how to use body bags, disposable gloves, and good hygiene practice. Vaccinations can help prevent infections such as hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Some workers may be given antibiotics before possible exposures.

Interim Health Recommendations for Workers who Handle Human Remains After a Disaster

Management of Dead Bodies After Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders

Medical Advice for Relief Workers and Emergency Responders

Workers deployed for hurricane disaster work should have medical screenings before they might be exposed to hazards related to natural disasters. This health screening should report on the baseline physical health, pre-existing medical conditions, emotional health, and on immunization status. Learn more below about medical screening for responders and workers.

Guidance for Pre-exposure Medical Screening of Workers Deployed for Hurricane Disaster Work.

Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance (ERHMS)

Note: Travelers to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have additional vaccinations recommended beyond what is stated in the following two links.

Health Information and Vaccination Information for Travelers to:

Mold Clean-up

Mold exposure and damp indoor environments have been linked with health symptoms that include asthma, allergies, and respiratory infections. People who have compromised immune systems or pre-existing conditions such as asthma may have a higher risk of mold infections and health problems if they perform mold clean-up.

Below are personal protective equipment commonly used to clean up mold.

  • NIOSH-approved N-95 respirator (learn more, include how to put on, take off, and check the seal in the respirator section)
  • Gloves
  • Eye protection, such as goggles
  • Clothing, such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts

More Information

Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings

Recommendations for the Cleaning and Remediation of Flood-Contaminated HVAC Systems: A Guide for Building Owners and Managers

Mold Hazards During Disaster Cleanup

Mold Remediation Training Tool

UCONN Center for Indoor Environments and Health: Hurricanes and Mold

Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings

Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance

Indoor Air Quality

Mold

CDC Mold and Natural Disasters

Motor Vehicle Safety

Most emergency responders drive or ride in a motor vehicle during a disaster response. If you or your employees operate or ride in a motor vehicle as you respond to a hurricane or other disaster, you are at risk of a motor vehicle crash. The risk extends to all vehicles (cars, SUVs, emergency response or power company vehicles, and large trucks) and all workers, whether they are drivers or passengers. The resources below can help you minimize your risk of injuries from motor vehicles.

Preventing Work-related Motor Vehicle Crashes: You Can Protect Your Employees and Others on the Road From Being Hurt or Killed in Motor Vehicle Crashes

Interim NIOSH Training for Emergency Responders: Reducing Risks Associated With Long Work Hours

Disaster Response: Roadway Safety+ Awareness Program, English/Spanish

Personal Protective Equipment

Rescue workers and emergency responders can face many hazards during and after hurricanes and flooding. Responders and their employers can minimize or eliminate these hazards by selecting and using the right personal protective equipment for the type of response.

Storm, Flood, and Hurricane Response

Hazard Based Guidelines: Protective Equipment for Workers in Hurricane Flood Response

Personal Protective Equipment

OSHA Keeping Workers Safe During Disaster Cleanup and Recovery

Clean Up Safely After a Disaster, English/Spanish

Guidance for Supervisors at Disaster Rescue Sites

Selecting and Using Respirators

Responders or employers can minimize or eliminate respiratory hazards by selecting and using the best respiratory protection for the type of response.

Storm, Flood, and Hurricane Response

N95 Respirator Infographic

Respirator Trusted-Source Information

Section 1: NIOSH-Approved Respirators—What Are They? How Can They Be Identified? Where Can I Get Them?

Section 2: Use of NIOSH-Approved Respirators

NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards

Print

Web and Downloadable Version

Respirator Basics: Fit Testing

OSHA Respiratory Protection eTool

Stress Associated With Traumatic Incidents and Emergency Response

Natural disasters can be traumatic for first responders and recovery workers, who may encounter severely injured children or adults, dead bodies or body parts, and colleagues who are killed as they serve.

The NIOSH Traumatic Incident Stress resource describes stress symptoms (physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral), and it recommends on-site monitoring and maintaining the health of emergency workers after they respond to a traumatic event.

Traffic Control

Even in ideal conditions, workers who direct traffic can be seriously injured or killed if a passing vehicle hits them. Workers with no training in controlling traffic may have to direct traffic after roadway incidents or as they respond to the natural disaster. Learn more about directing traffic by viewing the resources below.

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways: Temporary Traffic Control

A Guidebook for Nighttime Construction: Impacts on Safety, Quality, and Productivity

Death in the Line of Duty: Volunteer Fire Chief Struck and Killed on Interstate Highway While Directing Traffic—Pennsylvania

Violence

In the aftermath of natural disasters, basic necessities such as water, food, medicine, and gas can become scarce. Because of power or Internet outages, local people and businesses may have to use cash instead of credit. These shortages may lead to hostility, looting, and violence. Follow all local and employer-provided guidance to lessen the chance that you will be harmed in violence as you respond to the disaster.

Workers-on-Foot Hazards

Large operating vehicles and equipment can seriously injure or kill workers-on-foot. Workers can take steps to reduce this hazard. Learn more by using the resources below.

Work Zone Safety

Visibility Limitations

Work Hours and Fatigue

Emergency responders and aid workers often face long shifts and work many hours a week. Working long hours, irregular hours, and at night can cause responders to lose sleep, and this puts their health and safety at risk. Sleep-deprived workers can be seriously injured or killed because of worker errors, vehicle crashes, and illnesses caused by prolonged loss of sleep.

Interim NIOSH Training for Emergency Responders: Reducing Risks Associated With Long Work Hours

Preventing Worker Fatigue Among Ebola Healthcare Workers and Responders

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