Worker Safety During Hurricane Relief

¶ … responder hazards for a hurricane in Jacksonville, Florida include mold and fungi due to flooding, exposure to asbestos and other dangerous substances from damaged buildings, bacteria and infectious organisms from sewage in local drinking water, downed power lines leading to problems such as possible electrocution or injury from falling limbs, strains from moving heavy objects in the rescue or cleanup efforts, slippery surfaces leading to falls, falls from workers on rooftops, and transportation accidents.

Protective measures that can be introduced to minimize or mitigate these hazards include ensuring adequate ventilation for workers in enclosed spaces, the provision of situation-specific protective gear for all personnel, following procedures for proper disposal of hazardous waste, properly training workers regarding downed power lines, operation of transportation or construction vehicles, and working with utility companies to selectively cut power to certain areas during the cleanup and rescue operations.

Although many of these controls are being used in the Jacksonville community, there are still some that need improvement or more attention. During an emergency, workers often subvert policy and procedure in order to respond to critical situations in which timing means the difference between life or death for victims. In these situations, workers are being exposed to hazards and could lead to worker casualties.

Therefore, ongoing training for workers regarding high-risk scenarios will help ensure that only the most well-trained personnel risk their lives in acute emergency situations and do so with maximum attention to preventative measures and controls like prophylactic gear. Protective gear should be continually updated; many of the materials workers use are outdated and unable to meet the needs of the current workforce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) advocate ongoing medical screenings for workers, both before and after a hurricane.

Because hurricanes do provide advance warning, it is possible to screen workers for any issues that might put them at an inordinately high risk for injury such as back problems or respiratory problems. Additionally, it is important to provide all personnel from multiple agencies like police, fire, and medical services, with information related to power lines and downed trees. Typically, police and medical personnel do not receive specific training related to how to prevent electrocution or how to properly lift tree limbs.

This type of training could be provided to select teams of first responders, who should also have access to materials or technologies to provide to ancillary support teams. Powered generators may need to be used during rescue operations, and workers do need to know how to ensure proper ventilation and reduce hazards associated with fuel explosions and electrocution (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015; OSHA). Training and intra-agency communications are two of the most pressing needs for Jacksonville, which could experience a devastating hurricane.

Workers can learn from the lessons of Sandy, which illustrated some of the most important hazards that arise during rescue and cleanup operations. Some of the OSHA controls are standard to professions including wearing protective gear and practicing safe lifting techniques.