As Florida began rescue and recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian, the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently reminded first responders, employers, and the public to protect against hazards during hurricane recovery. Associated hazards may include flooding, loss of power, structural damage, fallen trees, and heavy debris. In brief, affected employers should apply their obligations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) during recovery efforts in the workplace. After all, the same hazards associated with the top ten frequently cited OSHA violations annually may be more prevalent in the aftermath of a hurricane.
Employer Obligations Under OSHA’s General Duty Clause
The OSH Act, which established OSHA, sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards. In doing so, it assures safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. Notably, the OSH Act’s “General Duty Clause” requires that all employers:
- shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees; and
- shall comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act.
To comply with the OSH Act’s General Duty Clause and avoid OSHA safety violations and costly litigation, employers should recognize and fix common workplace hazards.
Common Hazards During Hurricane Recovery
Specific hazards during hurricane recovery include those related to electricity, debris removal, water removal and water damage, tree trimming, and roof work. Employers should remember that only trained individuals with the right equipment and experience should conduct such specialized recovery and cleanup activities. Flood recovery, specifically, carries some additional hazards inherent with the type of damage that can occur in such disasters, like mold or carbon monoxide. Employers should be aware of the following hazards after a flood and direct workers to take the appropriate precautions:
- Poisonous gas from generators – gas and diesel-powered electrical generators should be kept outdoors to prevent a build-up and exposure to carbon monoxide.
- Electricity – keep a safe distance from downed or damaged power lines and leave the repairs to trained utility workers.
- Downed trees – wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, hearing, head, foot, or eye protection, as well as fall protection when performing tree removal.
- Chemical or biological – wash hands well and wear the appropriate PPE.
Tips and Tools to Avoid Hazards During Hurricane Recovery
According to OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer, “During storm cleanup, the risk of injuries, illnesses and fatalities can be reduced with knowledge, safe work practices, and appropriate personal protective equipment.” In general, employers should take the following protective measures to help protect against hazards during hurricane recovery:
- Evaluate the entire work area for any new and recognized hazards.
- Assess the stability of structures and walking-working surfaces.
- Use the correct fall protection when working on elevated surfaces.
- Assume that all power lines are live.
- Operate all equipment correctly.
- Provide for and ensure that workers use the appropriate PPE.
Finally, employers can access OSHA’s collection of hurricane recovery activity sheets. OSHA activity sheets include a list of hazards, controls and work practices, suggested PPE, applicable training needs, and references to other helpful materials. Topics include building assessment and restoration, debris removal, and infrastructure repair.