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Worker Safety After a Flood: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamis

Flood workers should be warned that when the seemingly endless rain tapers off and the flood waters 

recede, they will continue to face a number of hazards associated with cleanup activities.

Workers and volunteers involved with flood cleanup should be aware of the potential dangers involved and 

the proper safety precautions. Because the level of experience varies among workers, cleanup crews must 

work together and look out for one another to ensure safety. 

Electrical Hazards 

Work-related electrocution deaths can follow natural disasters. To prevent electrocutions, those involved 

in cleanup activities are urged to take the following steps:

1. If water has been present anywhere near electrical circuits and electrical equipment, turn off the 

power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not turn the power back on until

electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. Never enter flooded areas or 

touch electrical equipment if the ground is wet, unless you are certain that the power is off. NEVER

handle a downed power line.

2. When using gasoline and diesel generators to supply power to a building, switch the main breaker 

or fuse on the service panel to the "off" position prior to starting the generator. This will prevent

inadvertent energization of power lines from backfeed electrical energy from the generators, and 

help to protect utility line workers from possible electrocution.

3. If clearing or other work must be performed near a downed power line, contact the utility company

to discuss de-energizing and grounding or shielding of power lines. Extreme caution is necessary

when moving ladders and other equipment near overhead power lines to avoid inadvertent contact. 

If you are working on or near power lines, refer to the additional recommendations provided in that

section below. 

Carbon Monoxide 

Flood cleanup activities may involve the use of gasoline- or diesel-powered pumps, generators, and 

pressure washers. Because these devices release carbon monoxide, a deadly, colorless, odorless gas, 

operate all gasoline-powered devices outdoors and NEVER bring them indoors. It is virtually

impossible to assess adequate ventilation. Several carbon monoxide poisoning deaths have been related 

to the use of gasoline-powered engines indoors or in confined spaces. 

Musculoskeletal Hazards 

Cleanup workers are at risk for developing serious musculoskeletal injuries to the hands, back, knees, and 

shoulders. Special attention is needed to avoid back injuries associated with manual lifting and handling of

debris and building materials. To help prevent injury, use teams of two or more to move bulky objects, 

avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person), and use proper automated-assist 

lifting devices.
Worker Safety After a Flood: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamis 

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Thermal Stresses 

Heat 

Cleanup workers are at serious risk for developing heat stress. Excessive exposure to hot environments 

can cause a variety of heat-related problems, including heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and 

fainting. To reduce the potential for heat stress, drink a glass of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes and wear 

light-colored, loose- fitting clothing. Additionally, incorporate work-rest cycles into work routines, work

during the cooler hours of the day, when possible, or distribute the workload evenly throughout the day. 

When air conditioning is unavailable, open windows and use fans. 

Cold 

Standing or working in water which is cooler than 75 degrees F (24 degrees C) will remove body heat 

more rapidly than it can be replaced, resulting in hypothermia. To reduce the risk of hypothermia, wear 

high rubber boots, ensure that clothing and boots have adequate insulation, avoid working alone, take

frequent breaks out of the water, and change into dry clothing when possible. 

Heavy Equipment 

Only those properly trained should operate heavy equipment such as bulldozers, backhoes, and tractors. 

If you are operating this type of equipment, turn it off and block it against motion prior to dismounting for 

any reason. 

Structural Instability 

Flood waters can rearrange and damage natural walkways, as well as sidewalks, parking lots, roads, 

buildings, and open fields. Never assume that water-damaged structures or ground are stable. Buildings 

that have been submerged or have withstood rushing flood waters may have suffered structural damage 

and could be dangerous. Don t work in or around any flood-damaged building until it has been examined 

and certified as safe for work by a registered professional engineer or architect. Assume all stairs, floors, 

and roofs are unsafe until they are inspected. Leave immediately if shifting or unusual noises signal a 

possible collapse. 

Hazardous Materials 

Flood waters can dislodge tanks, drums, pipes, and equipment, which may contain hazardous materials 

such as pesticides or propane. Do not attempt to move unidentified dislodged containers without first 

contacting the local fire department or hazardous materials team. If working in potentially contaminated 

areas, avoid skin contact or inhalation of vapors by wearing appropriate protective clothing and 

respirators. Frequently and thoroughly wash skin areas that may have been exposed to pesticides and 

other hazardous chemicals. 

Fire 

Fire can pose a major threat to an already badly damaged flood area for several reasons: inoperative fire

protection systems, hampered fire department response, inoperable firefighting water supplies, and flooddamaged fire protection systems. Workers and employers must therefore take extra precautions. At least 

two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, should be provided at every cleanup job. 

Drowning

When entering moving water, you are at risk for drowning, regardless of your ability to swim. Because 

those in vehicles are at greatest risk of drowning, it is important to comply with all hazard warnings on 

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Worker Safety After a Flood: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamis 

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roadways and to avoid driving vehicles or heavy equipment into water of an unknown depth. NIOSH 

recommends that you avoid working alone and wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when working in 

or near flood waters. 

Prevention Measures 

First Aid 

First aid, even for minor cuts and burns, is extremely important when exposure to waters potentially 

contaminated with human, animal, or toxic wastes exists. Immediately clean out ALL open wounds and 

cuts with soap and clean water. Most cuts, except minor scratches, sustained during flood cleanup

activities will warrant treatment to prevent tetanus. If you are injured, contact a physician to determine 

the necessary type of treatment. 

Protective Equipment 

For most work in flooded areas, you will need the following personal protective equipment:

• hard hats 

• goggles 

• heavy work gloves 

• watertight boots with steel toe and insole, not just steel shank (where available) 

Excessive noise from equipment such as chain saws, backhoes, tractors, pavement breakers, blowers, and 

dryers may cause ringing in the ears and subsequent hearing damage. If working with any noise that you 

must shout over to be heard, you should wear earplugs or other hearing protection devices. 

Working in Confined Spaces 

If you are required to work in a boiler, furnace, pipeline, pit, pumping station, septic tank, sewage 

digester, storage tank, utility vault, well, or similar enclosure, you should be aware of the hazards of 

working in confined spaces. A confined space has one or more of the following characteristics:

• limited openings for entry or exit

• unfavorable natural ventilation

• is not designed for continuous worker occupancy 

Toxic gases, a lack of oxygen, or explosive conditions may exist in the confined area, resulting in a 

potentially deadly atmosphere. Because many toxic gases and vapors cannot be seen or smelled, never 

trust your senses to determine if safe entry is possible. Never enter a confined space unless you have

been properly trained, even to rescue a fellow worker! If you need to enter a confined space and do not 

have the proper training and equipment, contact your local fire department for assistance. 

Working On or Near Power Lines 

Several workers have died of electrocution following natural disasters. Workers and employers must take 

extreme caution while attempting to restore power or clear areas near downed power lines. In one 

instance while inspecting completed work, a member of a crew stepped on a line and was electrocuted by 

"feedback" energy from a portable backup generator at a nearby gas station. Feedback energy occurs 

when a de-energized line becomes energized by a secondary power source. 

In another instance a worker was electrocuted after falling from a tree onto a line thought to be deenergized. Although the workers had opened a fused switch on a transformer, the line remained energized 

through another transformer. 

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Worker Safety After a Flood: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamis 

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If you are working on or near power lines, the following steps may save your life: 

• Treat all power lines as energized until you have followed the required procedures for personally 

de-energizing and testing them with an appropriate testing device. Do not rely on "fuzzing" to 

determine if a power line has been de-energized. 

• Verifying that a line is not energized may not ensure your safety. You must also ground lines on 

both the load and supply sides of the work area. Grounding is necessary to protect you from the 

hazards of feedback electrical energy from a secondary power source, such as a portable 

generator. 

• When restoring power in underground vaults, added precautions are necessary to avoid explosion 

hazards. As vaults containing electrical connections are drained or pumped out, and energized, 

potentially explosive gases may form. If you are required to work in a utility vault, refer to 

Confined Spaces in the Agricultural Hazards section. 

Stress, Long Hours, and Fatigue May Increase the Risks for Injury and Illness 

Continued long hours of work, combined with emotional and physical exhaustion and losses from damaged 

homes and temporary job layoffs, can create a highly stressful situation for flood cleanup workers. 

Workers exposed to these stressful conditions have an increased risk of injury and emotional crisis, and 

are more vulnerable to stress-induced illnesses and disease. 

Emotional support from family members, neighbors, and local mental health professionals can help to 

prevent more serious stress-related problems in the difficult months ahead. 

People working in all phases of flood cleanup can reduce their risks of injury and illness in several ways: 

• Set priorities for cleanup tasks and pace the work over several days (or weeks). Avoid physical 

exhaustion. 

• Resume a normal sleep schedule as quickly as possible. Get plenty of rest and take frequent rest 

breaks BEFORE exhaustion builds up. 

• Take advantage of disaster relief programs and services in your community. 

• Be alert to emotional exhaustion or strain. When family members and neighbors are unavailable for 

emotional support, consult community health and mental health professionals. 

Additional Information 

For more information about these or other occupational safety and health concerns, call toll 

free: 

• 1-800-35-NIOSH 

• 1-800-356-4674 

E-mail NIOSH: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/cntc_ni1.html

Related Resources: 

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Homepage (www.fema.gov) 

• Storm and Flood Cleanup Topic Page (www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood) 

• NIOSH Emergency Response Resources - Natural Disasters 

(www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/emres/natural.html) 

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/tsunamis, or call the CDC public response hotline 

at 888-246-2675 (English), 888-246-2857 (español), or 866-874-2646 (TTY).