By Julia Vann
With the recent Tropical Storm Gordon, the U.S. Department of Labor has urged the states affected to be extra mindful about safety protocol. In the aftermath of a storm, you would think that the worst would be over. That’s true, but that’s why it’s so important to stay safe afterwards. There are still hazards left behind by the storm and workers need to be careful about those. Most importantly, workers need to be protected from those hazards.
After a natural disaster, everyone is probably in a state of panic. It can be easy to forget how to stay safe. Thankfully, OSHA has a list of precautions to take!
Evaluate the work area for hazards
All you need to do is check the area first before sending workers in for cleanup. Even if it looks safe from a brief glance, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Prevent falls from elevated surfaces
Easier said than done. There’s going to be a lot of elevated surfaces that need checking after a storm. The best solution for this is just make sure workers aren’t going up there in poor equipment.
Assume all power lines are live
Even if a power line looks dead as can be, that doesn’t mean it is. The best thing to do in this situation is to assume it’s live. Even if it really is dead and it takes a little bit of extra work to get it out, it’s much better than letting someone get electrocuted.
Use chainsaws, portable generators, ladders, and other equipment properly
It should go without saying, but after a disaster, cutting corners might sound appealing. There’s so much work to get done, it might sound nice to forgo a bit of the safety protocol. Don’t do this. The lives and safety of the people is worth so much more than a faster job.
Use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, hard hats, hearing and foot protection
This should go without saying, but again, cutting corners might sound good. If you don’t have the protective equipment, don’t get to work. It’s that simple.
After a natural disaster, there’s a lot of dangerous work to do. That’s why it’s extra important to take the necessary safety precautions to keep people safe.
To learn more about OSHA compliance, visit the American Medical Compliance website today.
