Responder Safety

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Responder Safety
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Safety Awareness for Environmental Health
Practitioners Protect yourself while helping
others!
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Learning Objectives

• Identify common hazards you may encounter during
  a response and how those hazards affect your
  health and safety
• Describe the health and safety precautions that
  should be taken during a response to protect
  yourself

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ICS Key to a Safe Response Is the Safety Officer

• Assures personnel safety and monitors hazardous
  and unsafe situations
• Prepares a site-specific safety and health plan
• Environmental health must support and provide
  input to safety

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Federal Response

• OSHA sets safety and health standards for
  emergency responders
• Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
  standard of 29 CFR 1910.120(q)
• Worker Safety and Health Annex to the National
  Response Framework

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Employer Responsibilities

• State and local governments are responsible for
  worker health and safety including
• Allocating sufficient resources for safety and
  health programs
• Training staff
• Purchasing protective clothing and equipment as
  needed
• Vaccination
• Correcting unsafe or unsanitary conditions

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Responder Responsibilities

• Follow all health and safety rules and wear or
  use all required gear or equipment
• Follow safe work practices for your job
• Report hazardous conditions to your team
  leader/supervisor
• Report hazardous conditions to OSHA if employers
  do not fix them
• Protect your family at home from contamination
  exposures

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Physical and MentalFitness for Duty

• You are responsible for
• Being prepared to do your job
• Following good personal health habits
• Assessing whether you are well enough to work
• Assessing appropriate work schedule and adequate
  staffing levels
• Coping with role ambiguity

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Recommended Personal Gear

• Copy of personal records and ID
• Weather-appropriate gear (e.g., rain, snow)
• Changes of clothing
• Toiletries
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Prescription medicines/OTC medicines
• Sunscreen and lip salve
• Insect repellant
• Hat or cap
• Sunglasses and extra pair of glasses/contacts
• Cell phone and charger

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Emergencies in the Field

• Notify your supervisor or the incident commander
  about all injuries sustained at your site
• For minor injuries
• Apply buddycare/first aid
• Seek a first aid station or clinic
• For serious injuries
• Go to the local hospital
• Call 911 (know your exact location)

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Potential Hazards

• Stress
• Physical
• Chemical
• Biological
• Thermal
• Radiation
• Violence

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Safety and Health Hazards Are Dynamic

• Hazard Control Response Time Line

Emergency Phase (first 72 hours) Recovery Phase (first 4 weeks) Reconstruction Phase (first 2 years)
Structural Instability Re-entry Decontamination Re-entry Decontamination
Exposure Assessment (1st responders, HCWs, community) Respiratory, Ingestion, Eye, and Dermal Hazards Business Resumption Hazards
Human Remains Hazardous Materials Solid Waste Disposal
Electrical Hazards Heavy Equipment Hazards Ground and Water Pollution
Thermal Stress Cross Contamination Demolition Hazards
Fire Agriculture Hazards Construction Hazards
Security Food Hygiene
Mass Evacuation and Shelter Communicable Diseases
Food and Water Mental Health
Hazardous Materials Vector Control
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Stress

• Pace yourself
• Take frequent rest breaks
• Watch out for each other
• Be conscious of those around you
• Stay hydrated
• Attend mental health debriefings

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Debris Piles/Unstable Work Surfaces

• Only walk on surfaces you know are stable
• Watch for sharp edges and points
• Wear protective equipment (safety shoes with
  slip-resistant soles) and leather gloves
• Avoid temporary trench edges

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Structural Integrity

• Do not enter questionable structures until they
  are evaluated and rendered safe
• Conduct all necessary activities from outside
  damaged structures
• Ensure structures are evaluated by a competent
  person

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Injury from Dust and Flying Debris

• Be alert to the hazards from nearby workers,
  machinery, and falling/shifting debris
• Wear safety glasses with side shields
• Consider wearing goggles for protection against
  dust particles or for use over prescription
  glasses
• Wear hard hats, safety shoes, and work gloves

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Heavy Equipment

• Stay aware of all moving machinery and motor
  vehicles
• Do not walk under or through areas where cranes
  and other heavy equipment are lifting objects
• Do not climb onto or ride loads being lifted or
  moved
• Do not ride on equipment or in bucket

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Power Lines

• Treat all power lines and cables as energized
  until proven otherwise
• Stay clear of downed electrical lines

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Exposure to High Noise Levels

• A worksite is considered noisy if you
  have to shout to be heard
• High noise levels are generated from gas-powered
  saws, pneumatic tools, and heavy construction
  equipment
• Wear appropriate hearing protection in noisy
  work environments

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Hearing Protection Devices

• Foam plugs
• Premolded, reusable plugs
• Canal caps
• Earmuffs

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Driving in Disaster Areas

• Use a seat belt at all times
• Avoid distractions
• Stay alert to situations requiring quick action
• Watch for emergency vehicles
• Watch for other drivers and flaggers

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Bloodborne Pathogens

• Bloodborne pathogens microorganisms such as
  viruses or bacteria that are carried in blood and
  can cause disease in people
• Infected blood can enter your system through
• Open sores
• Cuts
• Abrasions
• Acne
• Any sort of damaged or broken skin such as
  sunburn or blisters
• Mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)

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Bloodborne Pathogens

• Adopt Universal Precautions assume blood or
  bodily fluids potentially contaminated with blood
  are infectious
• Wear gloves
• Wear eye protection such as goggles or faceshield
  if needed
• Consider receiving the Hepatitis B series
  vaccination

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Handling Human Remains

• For personnel exposed to blood and body fluids
• Use gloves when handling bodies or fluids
• Use eye protection, gowns, and masks when large
  quantities or splashes are anticipated
• Wash hands frequently
• CDC Interim Health Recommendations for Workers
  who Handle Human Remains After a Disaster

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Mold

• Flooded buildings promote mold growth
• Symptoms include sneezing, nasal, eye and skin
  irritation, and asthmalike symptoms
• When working with small areas of moldy or damp
  materials, use
• NIOSH-approved particulate respirators
• Gloves
• Goggles
• Additional protection may be
  needed for high-contamination
  areas or when activities generate
  substantial dust

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Chemical Exposures

• You may be exposed via the following routes
• Inhalation
• Skin absorption
• Ingestion
• Sources
• Industrial/commercial
• Households
• Responder use (e.g., pesticides and
  disinfectants)

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Chemical Exposures

• Follow recommendations from Safety Officer/EHS
  professional/Public Health
• Avoid hazardous atmospheres
• Avoid contact with chemical
• Stay aware of wind directions
• Alert local emergency authorities

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Chemical Agents
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Confined Spaces

• What is a confined space?
• Space with limited access
• Large enough for bodily entry
• Not designed for occupancy
• Example sewers/storm drains

• What are the hazards?
• Oxygen deficiency
• Entrapment
• Engulfment
• Hazardous atmosphere

Avoid confined spaces!!!!
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Symptoms headache, dizziness, drowsiness, or
  nausea progressing to vomiting, loss of
  consciousness and collapse, coma, or death under
  prolonged or high exposures
• Areas affected by gasoline- or propane-powered
  generators or heavy machinery
• Vicinity of operating equipment
• Vicinity of temporary generators
• All fires and temporary space heaters
• Debris reduction sites
• Burning and compacting

• Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas!

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Inhalation of Dust Containing Asbestos, Silica,
and Other Particulates

• Dust may contain hazardous materials
• Avoid dust-generating activities
• Follow PPE recommendations by supervisor or
  safety officer
• NIOSH-approved respirators may be recommended if
  potential for exposure to asbestos, silica, or
  high levels of particulates

N-95 Respirator
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Respirator Care and Use

• Used in the context of an OSHA-approved program
• Fit testing, training, medical evaluation,
  maintenance, and safe storage
• Wear NIOSH-approved respirators
• Replace when filter material is wet or
  visually soiled

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Use of Facemasks and Respirators
Video Presentation
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Smoke Inhalation

• Hazard hazardous decomposition products
• Avoid smoky areas
• Call Emergency Services

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Cold Stress

• Contributing conditions
• Cold air temperatures
• High velocity air movement
• Dampness of the air
• Contact with cold water or surfaces
• Cold-related disorders
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Chilblains
• Immersion/trench foot

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Cold Stress Prevention

• Wear appropriate clothing
• 3 layers of clothing
• Hats
• Boots
• Stay hydrated
• Take frequent breaks in warm areas

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Heat Stress

• Contributing conditions
• High temperature and humidity
• Direct sun or heat exposure
• Physical exertion
• Clothing (e.g., PPE)
• Poor physical condition
• Heat-related disorders
• Heat rash
• Fainting
• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke

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Heat Stress Prevention

• Stay hydrated (1 cup water/sports drink every 20
  minutes)
• Watch for signs and symptoms of heat-related
  illness
• Reduce work load/adjust work schedule
• Take frequent breaks in cool areas
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting
  clothes
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals

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Sun Exposure

• Prevent overexposing skin and eyes to sunlight
  and wind in all seasons
• Use sunscreen and lip balm
• Use protective eyewear
• Limit exposure

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Radiation Exposure

• Follow time, distance, and shielding precautions
• Wear personal dosimeter when entering
  contaminated areas
• Female workers should declare their pregnancies
• Follow PPE, personal hygiene and decontamination
  precautions

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Animal Bites, Stings, and Aggressive Behavior

• Use insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin
  
• Discuss displaced wildlife and pets with
  appropriate personnel
• Inspect areas before entering
• Be cautious about where you place your hands and
  feet
• Wear proper foot gear and leather gloves when
  handling materials where nests may be present

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Social Conflict and Violence

• Report unlawful activities to ICS and coworkers
• Avoid travel into hostile areas without a buddy
  and means of communication
• Seek police escort where travel is necessary

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Waterborne Disease

• Remember it is not just rain water
• Failed wastewater treatment plants
• Backed up, overflowing sewer lines
• Chemical spillage and wash off
• Flood water pollution of wells
• Drink from bottled water sources until water
  supplies are safely treated

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Foodborne Disease

• Practice hand hygiene before eating
• Assure that your food is from a safe source
• Identify and throw away any food that may not be
  safe to eat
• Store food safely
• Only drink from proven potable water sources

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Contact with Poisonous Plants

• Learn to recognize poisonous plants
• Use gloves and wear long pants
• Rubbing alcohol may removethe oily resin causing
  thereaction.

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Remember

• The hazards and issues are dynamic and require
  vigilance and flexibility
• The key to a safe response is attention to the
  health and safety issues of your work environment
• Physical hazards are similar to any construction
  or demolition site
• Health hazards include hazards associated with
  the environment (e.g., food, water, chemical,
  vectors)
• Social impacts include the hazards associated
  with psychologic stress and violence

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How to Approach Worker Safety and Health

• Prevention is the key!
• Prevent exposure/illness/injury through the
  occupational health hierarchy of controls
• Engineering controls
• Administrative controls
• Personal protective equipment

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Worker Safety Health During theExxon Valdez
Oil Spill
Video Presentation
Courtesy of the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Worker
Education Training Program (WETP) and Mark
Catlin (Service Employees International Union
(SEIU) Education Support Fund). For more
information on this and other worker safety and
health videos, contact Mark Catlin at
mark.catlin_at_seiu.org.
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Questions
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REFERENCES

• CDC Interim Immunization Recommendations for
  Disaster Response
• http//www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/disease/responder
  immun.asp
• CDC Key Facts About Hurricane and Flood
  Recovery
• http//www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/recove
  ry.asp
• CDC Hurricane Information for Response and
  Cleanup Workers
• http//www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/worker
  s.asp
• CDC Chemical Agents http//www.bt.cdc.gov/Agent/
  AgentlistChem.asp
• EPA Dealing with Debris and Damaged Buildings
• http//www.epa.gov/katrina/debris.html
• EPA Potential Environmental Health Hazards When
  Returning to Homes and Businesses
• http//www.epa.gov/katrina/sep14returnhomeadvisor
  y.htm

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REFERENCES

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  (OSHA) Expert System, Electronic health and
  Safety Plans (e-HASP2)
• http//www.osha.gov/dep/etools/ehasp/index.htm
• Keeping Workers Safe During Cleanup and Recovery
  Operations Following Hurricanes
• http//www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html
  
• Occupational Safety and Health Guidance Manual
  for Hazardous Waste Site Activities
• http//www.osha.gov/Publications/complinks/OSHG-H
  azWaste/4agency.html
• Hurricane eMatrix Hazard Exposure and Risk
  Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response
  Recovery Work. Occupational Safety and Health
  Administration
• http//www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/hurricane/index.h
  tml

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REFERENCES

• NIOSH Interim Guidance for Post Exposure Medical
  Screening of Workers Leaving Hurricane Disaster
  Recovery Areas
• http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/MedScreenWo
  rk.html
• Respiratory Programs
• www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/index.html
• http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators
  
• Suggested Guidance for Supervisors at Disaster
  Rescue Sites
• http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/emhaz2.html
• 2005 Safety Awareness for Responders to
  Hurricanes Protecting Yourself While Helping
  Others
• http//tools.niehs.nih.gov/wetp/newsbriefs/Aug07/
  Hurricane_Booklet_0807_v3.pd

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REFERENCES

• US EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial
  Buildings http//www.epa.gov/iaq
• CDC. Mold Prevention Strategies and Possible
  Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes and
  Major Floods
• http//www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5508a1
  .htm
• Environmental Health Officer Deployment Resource
  CD
• http//www.ehopac.org/index.cfm?facontacts_resou
  rces
• http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/emhaz2.html
• NIOSH Emergency Preparedness and Response Topic
  Page
• http//www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres