Health and safety of workers Emergency management

1 health , safety of workers

1.1 physical exposures
1.2 chemical exposures

1.2.1 hazardous material release


1.3 biological exposures
1.4 psychosocial exposures
1.5 employer responsibilities

1.5.1 emergency action plan (eap):

1.5.1.1 exposure monitoring
1.5.1.2 hazard control
1.5.1.3 training

health , safety of workers

cleanup during disaster recovery involves many occupational hazards. these hazards exacerbated conditions of local environment result of natural disaster. while individual workers should aware of these potential hazards, employers responsible minimize exposure these hazards , protect workers, when possible. includes identification , thorough assessment of potential hazards, application of appropriate personal protective equipment (ppe), , distribution of other relevant information in order enable safe performance of work. maintaining safe , healthy environment these workers ensures effectiveness of disaster recovery unaffected.

physical exposures

flood-associated injuries: flooding disasters expose workers trauma sharp , blunt objects hidden under murky waters causing lacerations, open , closed fractures. these injuries further exacerbated exposure contaminated waters, leading increased risk infection. when working around water, there risk of drowning. in addition, risk of hypothermia significantly increases prolonged exposure water temperatures less 75 degrees fahrenheit. non-infectious skin conditions may occur including miliaria, immersion foot syndrome (including trench foot), , contact dermatitis.

earthquake-associated injuries: main injuries workers might go through during earthquakes hidden falling items including structural components, stuck inside of building, burns, been electric shock.

chemical exposures
hazardous material release

chemicals can pose risk human health when exposed humans @ quantities. after natural disaster, chemicals can more prominent in environment. these hazardous materials can release can directly or indirectly. chemical hazards directly released after natural disaster occur concurrent event little no mitigation actions can take place mitigation. example, airborne magnesium, chloride, phosphorus, , ammonia can generated droughts. dioxins can produced forest fires, , silica can emitted forest fires. indirect release of hazardous chemicals can intentionally released or unintentionally released. example of intentional release insecticides used after flood or chlorine treatment of water after flood. unintentional release when hazardous chemical not intentionally released. chemical released toxic , serves beneficial purpose when released environment. these chemicals can controlled through engineering minimize release when natural disaster strikes. example of agrochemicals inundated storehouses or manufacturing facilities poisoning floodwaters or asbestos fibers released building collapse during hurricane. flowchart right has been adopted research performed stacy young, et al., , can found here.

exposure limits

classification of hazardous material releases associated natural disasters.

below tlv-twa, pel, , idlh values common chemicals workers exposed after natural disaster.

direct release

magnesium

phosphorus

ammonia

silica

intentional release

insecticides

chlorine dioxide

unintentional release

crude oil components…

benzene, n-hexane, hydrogen sulfide, cumene, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, toluene, xylenes, pcbs agrochemicals

asbestos

exposure routes

when toxicant prominent in environment after natural disaster, important determine route of exposure worker safety disaster management workers. 3 components source of exposure, pathway of chemical, , receptor. questions ask when dealing chemical source material itself, how it’s used, how used, how chemical used, temperature, vapor pressure, physical processes. physical state of chemical important identify. if working indoors, room ventilation, , volume of room needs noted mitigate health defects chemical. lastly, ensure worker safety, routes of entry chemical should determined relevant personal protective equipment needs worn.

respirators

according cdc “if need collect belongings or basic clean in flooded home, not need use respirator (a mask worn prevent breathing in harmful substances).” respirator should worn when performing operation in enclosed environment such house creates ample amounts of dust. these activities include sweeping dust, using power saws , equipment, or cleaning mold. if encounter dust, cdc says “limit contact dust as possible. use wet mops or vacuums hepa filters instead of dry sweeping , lastly wear respirator protects against dust in air. respirator approved cdc/niosh n95 respirator , can personal protective equipment protect dust , mold in air associated natural disaster.

biological exposures

mold exposures: exposure mold commonly seen after natural disaster such flooding, hurricane, tornado or tsunami. mold growth can occur on both exterior , interior of residential or commercial buildings. warm , humid condition encourages mold growth; therefore, standing water , excess moisture after natural disaster provide ideal environment mold growth in tropical regions. while exact number of mold species unknown, examples of commonly found indoor molds aspergillus, cladosporium, alternaria , penicillium. reaction molds differ between individuals , can range mild symptoms such eye irritation, cough severe life-threatening asthmatic or allergic reactions. people history of chronic lung disease, asthma, allergy, other breathing problems or immunocompromised more sensitive molds , may develop fungal pneumonia.

the effective approach control mold growth after natural disaster control moisture level. ways prevent mold growth after natural disaster include opening doors , windows, using fans dry out building, positioning fans blow air out of windows , cleaning building within first 24–48 hours. wet items cannot cleaned , dried within first 48 hours should promptly removed , discarded building. if mold growth found in building, important concurrently remove molds , fix underlying moisture problem. when removing molds, n-95 masks or respirators higher protection level should used prevent inhalation of molds respiratory system. molds can removed hard surfaces soap , water, diluted bleach solution or commercial products.

human remains: according center disease control , prevention (cdc), there no direct risk of contagion or infectious disease being near human remains people not directly involved in recovery or other efforts require handling dead bodies.” most viruses , bacteria perish along human body after death. therefore, no excessive measures necessary when handling human remains indirectly. however, workers in direct contact human remains, universal precautions should exercised in order prevent unnecessary exposure blood-borne viruses , bacteria. relevant ppe includes eye protection, face mask or shield, , gloves. predominant health risk gastrointestinal infections through fecal-oral contamination, so hand hygiene is paramount prevention. mental health support should available workers endure psychological stress during , after recovery.

flood-associated skin infections: flood waters contaminated bacteria , waste chemicals on occasion. prolonged, direct contact these waters leads increased risk skin infection, open wounds in skin or history of previous skin condition, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. these infections exacerbated compromised immune system or aging population. the common bacterial skin infections staphylococcus , streptococcus. 1 of uncommon, well-known bacterial infections from vibrio vulnificus, causes rare, fatal infection called necrotizing fasciitis.

surgical debridement of left leg necrotizing fasciitis.

other salt-water mycobacterium infections include slow growing m. marinum , fast growing m. fortuitum, m. chelonae, , m. abscessus. fresh-water bacterial infections include aeromonas hydrophila, burkholderia pseudomallei causing melioidosis, leptospira interrogans causing leptospirosis, , chromobacterium violaceum. fungal infections may lead chromoblastomycosis, blastomycosis, mucormycosis, , dermatophytosis. numerous other arthropod, protozoal, , parasitic infections have been described. worker can reduce risk of flood-associated skin infections avoiding water if open wound present, or @ minimum, cover open wound waterproof bandage. should contact flood water occur, open wound should washed thoroughly soap , clean water.

psychosocial exposures

providing disaster recovery assistance both rewarding , stressful. according cdc, sources of stress emergency responders may include witnessing human suffering, risk of personal harm, intense workloads, life-and-death decisions, , separation family. these stresses need prevented or managed in order optimize assistance without causing danger oneself. preparation emergency responder key, in addition establishing care responsibilities @ home. during recovery efforts, critical understand , recognize burnout , sources of stress. after recovery, vital take time away disaster scene , re-integrate normal work environment. substance abuse , mental health services administration (samhsa) provides stress prevention , management resources disaster recovery responders.

employer responsibilities

every employer required maintain safe , healthy workplace employees. when emergency situation occurs, employers expected protect workers harm resulting potential hazard, including physical, chemical, , biological exposure. in addition, employer should provide pre-emergency training , build emergency action plan.

emergency action plan (eap):

a written document actions employers , employees should take when responding emergency situation. according osha regulations 1910.38, employer must have emergency action plan whenever osha standard in part requires one. develop emergency action plan, employer should start workplace evaluation. typically, of occupational emergency management can divided worksite evaluation, exposure monitoring, hazard control, work practices, , training.

worksite evaluation identifying source , location of potential hazards such fall, noise, cold, heat, hypoxia, infectious materials, , toxic chemicals each of workers may encounter during emergency situations.

exposure monitoring

after identifying source , location of hazard(s), essential monitor how employees may exposed these dangers. employers should conduct task-specific exposure monitoring when meet following requirements:

when exposed substance has specific standard required osha
when employers anticipate workers exposed more hazards action level set osha
when there worker complaint or concern exposure
when employee questions effectiveness of existing hazard control methods

to acquire above information, employer can ask workers how perform task or use direct reading instruments identify exposure level , exposure route.

hazard control

employers can conduct hazard control by:

elimination or substitution: eliminating hazard workplace.
engineering controls
work practice or administrative controls: change how task performed reduce probability of exposure.
personal protective equipment

training

employers should train employees annually before emergency action plan implemented. [29 cfr 1910.38(e)] purpose of training inform employees of responsibilities and/or plan of action during emergency situations. training program should include types of emergencies may occur, appropriate response, evacuation procedure, warning/reporting procedure, , shutdown procedures. training requirements different depending on size of workplace , workforce, processes used, materials handled, available resources , in charge during emergency.

the training program should address following information:

workers roles , responsibilities.
potential hazards , hazard-preventing actions.
notification alarm system, , communications process
communication means between family members in emergency.
first aid kit
emergency response procedures.
evacuation procedures.
a list of emergency equipment including location , function.
emergency shutdown procedures.

after emergency action plan completed, employer , employees should review plan , post in public area accessible everyone. in addition, responsibility of employer keep record of injury or illness of workers according osha/state plan record-keeping regulations.