OSHA Offers Gustav Cleanup, Recovery Assistance
In the wake of Hurricane Gustav, OSHA said it will be offering its full resources to assist in protecting the safety and health of those involved with cleanup and recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast. The agency is providing public service announcements to area television and radio stations informing listeners on topics such as flooding, electrical hazards, chain saws, and fall hazards.
"After the hurricane has moved on, the danger has not – especially for those involved in cleanup and recovery from this storm," said Edwin G. Foulke Jr., assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "Cleanup after a storm of this magnitude can be particularly dangerous, and employers and employees need to take the proper precautions to avoid serious injury."
OSHA's hurricane recovery Web site at www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html offers QuickCards and fact sheets on dozens of different employee hazards or hazardous situations, including information on flood cleanup, chain saws, heat stress, and dangers from molds and fungi. Employers and employees looking for more information or with specific questions should call the agency's toll-free helpline at 866-4-USA-DOL (487-2365).