Worker Safety and Health During Major Storms and Emergencies

While most workers can stay inside during such a storm, some workers may be required to go into the storm. Many of the hazards occur to workers immediately after the storm has passed, such as during cleanup and utility restoration work. These activities are even more hazardous in areas of flooding, which are often caused by these storms.

What kinds of safety and health hazards are associated with Major Storms and Emergencies?

According to the National Weather Service, about 70 percent of injuries during storms result from vehicle accidents, and about 25 percent of injuries result from being caught out in the storm.

Some of the specific hazards associated with working in Major Storms and Emergencies include:
· Hazardous driving conditions due to slippery roadways
· Slips and falls due to slippery walkways
· Falling and flying objects such as tree limbs and utility poles
· Electrical hazards from downed power lines or downed objects in contact with power lines
· Falls from heights
· Burns from fires caused by energized line contact or equipment failure
· Exhaustion from working extended shifts
· Dehydration

What hazards exist when repairing downed or damaged power lines?

Repairing downed or damaged lines entails many of the activities involved in installing and removing overhead lines and in general maintenance on overhead lines. The crucial difference is that in emergency conditions there are unknown hazards and the potential for changing hazards as work progresses. Under these conditions workers must be extra vigilant and cautious.

Potential hazards include:
· Electrocution by contacting downed energized lines, or contacting objects,
such as broken tree limbs,in contact with fallen lines.
· Falls from heights.
· Being struck or crushed by falling poles, towers or parts thereof, or tree limbs.
· Being injured in vehicular accidents when responding to an emergency situation.
· Burns from fires caused by energized line contact or equipment failure.

What protective measures should be utilized when working on or around downed or damaged power lines?

Stay well clear of any downed or damaged power lines. Establish a safe distance from the lines and report the incident to the responsible authority. Only properly-trained electrical utility workers should handle damaged power lines.

What hazards exist when removing downed trees during a Major Storms and Emergencies, and what safety precautions should be taken?

When these storms occur, downed trees can block public roads and damage power lines. Emergency crews are often sent out to clear downed trees during these storms.

Potential hazards include:
· Electrocution by contacting downed energized lines or contacting broken tree limbs in contact with fallen lines.
· Falls from trees.
· Being struck or crushed by falling tree limbs.
· Being injured by emergency equipment such as chain saws and chippers.
· Proper PPE, including gloves, foot protection, eye protection, fall protection, hearing protection
and head protection, should be used when using chainsaws and chippers to clear downed trees.

Only appropriate power equipment that is built to be used outdoors and in wet conditions should be used. All saws, chippers, and other tools should be used properly and according to their intended application. It is important that all equipment is well-maintained and functioning correctly in order for use. In addition, all equipment should have proper guarding, working controls, and other safety features as installed by the manufacturer.

You should always consult your Health and Safety Manual and Local, State and Federal Safety Laws.
What Personal Protection Equipment is needed during Emergency Operations?

Since staff may deal with many different environments in the field is basic PPE required?

· Respiratory Protection N95, N100 Masks when dealing with contaminated material, dust and mold.
In some cases SCBA or Air Purifying Respiratory Protection may be required, dealing lead,
asbestos,or hazardous materials.
· Eye Protection Use of safety glasses, goggles or face shields when, cutting, sawing, drilling, removing debris,
using power tools or heavy equipment, any time the chance of debris may enter the eye.
· Foot Protection Use of Steel Toe Shoes or Safety Rated Boots at all times.
· Hand Protection Use of gloves to prevent contamination, protection from hazardous materials or
infectious disease.

When moving debris, heavy objects, using power tools and equipment.
· Fall Protection Must be used at all times when working over 12' high.
· Body Protection May be required to protect staff from the weather, or the environment including but not limited
to Fire turnouts, rain and wind gear, coveralls, water proof coveralls, pants, hats, jackets, Class A or
Class B haz mat suits etc. The use of Class 2 ANSI orange vest high visibility clothing is required by law
for all staff when directing or controlling traffic.
· Hearing Protection Required when using power or air driven tools, heavy equipment, high
pressure cleaning using water.

Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this document is to establish procedures to protect workers from exposure to temperature extremes. This procedure is applicable to construction, permit-required confined spaces and any site operations that expose, or have the potential to expose workers to hot environments.

Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all personnel to work safely, follow procedures, and to identify potentially hazardous conditions.

Site Safety Officer
The Site Safety Officer or his designee will review or inspect the following at the worksite on a daily basis prior to starting work.
· Check and Monitor temperature readings at the site.
· Monitor the local weather Service or other competent weather forecast service for severe weather extremes.
· Review the Heat Illness Procedures.

Field Personnel Responsibilities
All personnel are to be aware of and understand:
· The hazards of Worker exposure to temperature extremes.
· The Development of work schedules that will minimize worker exposure to temperature extremes.
· The Identification of conditions and work applications that may contribute to worker exposure to temperature extremes.
· The Heat Illness Procedures.

Heat Illness, Temperature Extremes
Temperature extremes are associated with many occupational health hazards including heat stress. Certain safety problems are common to hot environments. Heat tends to promote accidents due to slipperiness of sweaty palms, dizziness, or the fogging of safety glasses. Whenever there are hot surfaces, steam, etc, the possibility of serious injury or burns exists.

Heat Illness, Heat Stress Symptoms
Use only personnel trained in first aid, or seek qualified medical assistance for worker treatment of heat illness and heat stress symptoms. The most extreme heat induced illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If not treated, heat related illnesses could lead to the following health conditions:
· Mental confusion, delirium.
· Loss of consciousness.
· Convulsions.
· Body temperatures of 106 degrees and higher.
· Coma.
· Seizures.
· Extreme weakness or fatigue.
· Giddiness.
· Nausea.
· Headache and heat rash.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Proper PPE for workers exposed to heat stress level must include:
· Water-cooled garments.
· Air-cooled garments.
· Ice-packet vests.
· Wetted-over garments; and
· Heat-reflective aprons or suits.

PPE worn for protection other than heat can reduce work tolerance and increase the risk or excessive heat stress because of its weight and bulk. When selecting PPE, which will be worn in hot environments, select equipment based on the following:
· Anticipated work rate;
· Ambient temperature and other environmental factors;
· Type of protective ensemble; and
· Individual worker characteristics and fitness.

Training
The following are minimum training elements:
· Wearing proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
· Posting warning signs at Identified temperature extremes areas.
· Environmental conditions that contribute to excessive heat stress.
· Understand the health effects of excessive heat stress.
· Recognizing common symptoms of heat illness.
· Participation in Medical surveillance program.
· Proper work practices and control procedures.

Recordkeeping
Retain the following records:
· Any workers medical records. These must be kept and maintained for at least the duration of employment plus 30 years.
· Any cancelled permit- required confined space entry permits for at least one year.
· Any training materials and records.

Laws and Rules always change, make sure you check both your local OSHA and Federal OSHA Regulations.
You may also what to consult a Physician to help establish your Heat Illness Prevention Program.