OSHA Focuses on Worker Safety in Hurricane Idalia Aftermath

OSHA Focuses on Worker Safety in Hurricane Idalia Aftermath

The agency is prioritizing on-site support in Florida's hardest-hit areas.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Sep 28, 2023

In the wake of Hurricane Idalia, OSHA has shifted its focus to prioritizing the safety of workers involved in recovery and response activities in Florida.

According to a recent release, the agency has temporarily suspended planned inspections in the Florida counties of Hamilton, Lafayette, Madison and Suwannee to concentrate on offering on-site technical assistance and outreach. These areas, severely impacted by the hurricane, are now receiving attention from OSHA’s safety and health professionals.

OSHA’s mission is to collaborate with employers and workers during recovery operations to mitigate serious hazards. However, the decision to pause scheduled enforcement inspections does not negate OSHA’s authority to inspect incidents related to fatalities, catastrophic events, complaints from employees or cases where employers consistently expose workers to severe dangers during the cleanup and restoration processes.

Employers and workers in the affected counties should contact OSHA via its toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit the agency's website to contact an area office representative and request on-site assistance.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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