ASSE Offers Cleanup Tips for Businesses Affected by Recent Disasters
"It is projected that we can expect more serious storms and tornadoes during the summer," said ASSE President Darryl C. Hill. "Thus, it is imperative we plan accordingly.”
As families, communities, and businesses affected by recent storms begin to clean up and to resume operations safely, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and its members have issed the following business resumption safety tips.
“The inclement weather and devastation caused is the most severe in over half a century,” said ASSE President Darryl C. Hill, Ph.D., CSP. “Furthermore, it is projected that we can expect more serious storms and tornadoes during the summer. Thus, it is imperative we plan accordingly.”
Hill also noted that although there is no one-size-fits-all solution for business resumption following a disaster, businesses should perform a hazard evaluation and consider following these tips:
Emergency Planning and Procedures: Ensure that there is a clear path of egress for the evacuation of employees, fire extinguishers are operable, and that checks for damage and serviceability are made to see if any fire extinguishers were used during the disaster. If damage is found, they should be replaced immediately. Following a disaster a company should review and update its emergency plan. Designate a place for employees to gather once out of the building.
Employee Communications: Find out if your employees are safe. If any employees were injured consider assisting them: communicate this with your employees and follow your company emergency action plan. Once you have learned the facts involving any damage your staff or business may have sustained, evaluate the next steps and communicate your plan with your employees, emergency personnel (city, state and federal), and the community you do business in, your customers, vendors and other organizations you work with.
Structural Security: Have a qualified professional evaluate the structural integrity of the building or facility.
Following a Flood: Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink; avoid floodwaters which may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage and may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines; avoid moving water; be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded as roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car; stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company; return home or to your business only when authorities indicate it is safe to do so; stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters; and use extreme caution when entering buildings as there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Air Quality Assessment: Make sure the atmosphere in the workplace environment is tested for asbestos and other chemical/toxic agents. Air quality is a key concern when restarting business operations.
Ventilation: Have vents checked to ensure water heaters and gas furnaces are clear and operable. Dust and debris can stop or impede airflow decreasing its quality and healthfulness. Safely start up heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which includes prior inspection of power lines before energizing and pressurizing of the systems.
Protection Equipment: Make sure fire and smoke alarms have been cleaned and tested before allowing occupancy of the building. If such systems are wired into other systems, ensure that they are still compatible and work in an efficient and effective manner. Thorough inspection of fire-fighting systems such as sprinkler and chemical equipment functions is a must.
Electrical Safety: Have checks made of electrical systems, computer cables, and telecommunications’ equipment to ensure they are still safe and there is no danger of exposure to electricity. Wiring inspections should be conducted from the outside in to ensure all wiring and connections are not in danger of shorting out due to water damage from rain or fire-fighting efforts.
Health/Sanitation Issues: The general facility sanitation systems should be inspected and tested to guard against potential employee exposure to toxic agents. Food sanitation should also be an issue. Any unused food should be discarded. If the workspace has a kitchen, inspect oven hoods and other ventilation devices to ensure they are not clogged and are working efficiently.
Lighting: Make sure there are adequate illumination levels for employees. Emergency lighting should be checked to ensure it operates and functions in the correct manner.
Solid/Hazardous Waste Removal: Broken glass, debris, or other materials with cutting edges should be safely gathered and disposed of immediately. Ensure that such materials can be disposed of before collection to avoid creating even bigger hazards for both employees and the public. Solid waste disposal will be an issue, especially if hazardous waste is involved. Evaluate waste disposal issues prior to beginning cleanup operations to ensure it can be properly disposed of.
Power Checks: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water, and sewer usage.
Machine Inspections: Inspect the condition of the drain, fill, plumbing, and hydraulic lines on processes and machines. It would be prudent to have plumbing lines evaluated and tested in order to detect any hazardous gases.
Surfaces: Make sure flooring surfaces are acceptable and free from possible slips, trips, and falls—the second leading cause of on-the-job deaths in the U.S. ANSI standard A1264—protection of floor and wall openings is a good starting point.
Transportation: If employees will be on the road, check on the condition of the roads, make sure they are safe. For example, downed power lines could be a major hazard. Transportation accidents continue to be the number one cause of on-the-job fatalities in the U.S. Although the roadway is not a closed environment and roadway conditions cannot be controlled, employers can take steps to protect their employees by assigning a management team member, such as the occupational safety and health professional, to set and enforce a comprehensive company driver safety policy.