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Tropical Storm Erin Cleanup

August 24th, 2007 Posted by Amelia

With much of the South and Midwest lashed by Tropical Storm Erin or its aftermath, it’s important for employers and employees to be aware of workplace hazards.

While Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri have felt Erin’s full wrath, flash flood and severe thunderstorm warnings continue in the Midwest as the storm works its way north, losing power. Flood watches and warnings were still in effect today for some sections of Illinois, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio.

At Chicago’s O’Hare airport, thousands of travelers were delayed on Friday, with 90% of scheduled departures running late or very late overnight. More than 500 flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports had been cancelled Thursday due to severe weather, and more delays are expected as equipment is moved into place.

Flooding can cause a number of problems in the workplace. These pose risks to worker safety. According to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, flooding and high water can pose a number of hazards that include:

Unsafe Water
Sewage Disposal Problems
Toxic Waste and Chemical Dangers
Infectious Disease
Poisoning
West Nile Virus
Animal Bites
Lyme disease

Floodwaters often contain infectious organisms, including E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella and the Hepatitis A virus. Other hazards include the pathogens for typhoid, paratyphoid and tetanus. Employees should avoid floodwater whenever possible. If it’s necessary to work in water, they should take precautions to wear protective gear such as rubber boots, and rubber gloves and to wash and disinfect thoroughly afterwards. Workers in floodwater that has been contaminated by sewage, hazardous wastes or chemicals should wear hazmat suits.

Most cases of sickness during flooding are brought about when workers ingest contaminated food or water. Many of these organisms produce similar symptoms. Workers may suffer from nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle aches and fever.

Tetanus can be contracted from contaminated soil, or from water entering broken areas of the skin, such as cuts, abrasions or puncture wounds. Tetanus is an infectious disease. It affects the nervous system and causes lockjaw, or severe muscle spasms, especially of the jaw. Symptoms may not appear for weeks after exposure. Tetanus often begins as a headache, but may later cause difficulty swallowing or opening the jaw.

The Center for Disease Control suggests that adults have Tetanus booster shots every 5 years. This is particularly important for recovery workers and anyone who works outdoors regularly.

The normal water supply may be compromised, making tap water unsafe. Employers who must operate after a storm should have safe sources of water, such as bottled water, on hand. Employees should be cautioned never to drink floodwater, even if it looks clean. The water supply may also be tainted by toxic waste from flooded sites, or hazardous chemical overflows. In extreme cases, the water supply can be polluted with raw sewage. Most floods don’t cause widespread disease outbreaks, but workers who come into contact with dirty water can fall ill.

Some floodwaters may be contaminated by industrial chemicals. Different chemicals cause different symptoms, however, the most common symptoms of chemical poisoning are headaches, dizziness, skin rashes,, nausea, excitability, weakness, and fatigue.

The danger of West Nile Virus is increased during and after floods. Pools of stagnant or standing water become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, some of which may carry the viruses. Encephalitis and other mosquito-borne illnesses are also a risk.

When wild animals are present in a populated area, they pose additional risks after floods. The animals’ shelter and food will often be destroyed. This increases the concentration of animals on dry land, and the probability of bites. Animals may contract rabies, which makes the bites even more dangerous. There is also an increased risk of flea and tick bites, with associated illnesses, including Lyme disease.

Good hygiene is critical to worker’s health during storm clean-up. It is important to wash hands regularly with clean, running water and soap to prevent waterborne diseases. It is especially important to wash hands before rest breaks, meal breaks, and at the end of the shift.

Workers should assume that any water in the flooded areas, and in surrounding areas, is not safe, until state or local authorities specifically approve the water source. Everyone should use bottled water, or water that has been boiled for at least 10 minutes, for washing.

Disinfecting water chemically is a viable option to boiling it.

To disinfect water, use 5 drops of household bleach to each gallon of water and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Rinse water storage containers regularly with household bleach.