protection including latex and nitrile gloves

(powder-free latex gloves with reduced latex

protein content can help avoid reaction to

latex allergies). These gloves can be worn

under heavy-duty gloves which will, in turn,

protect the wearer from cuts, puncture

wounds, or other injuries that break the skin

(caused by sharp environmental debris or

bone fragments). A combination of a cut-proof

inner layer glove and a latex or similar outer

layer is preferable.

• Foot Protection. Footwear should similarly

protect against sharp debris. 

• Respiratory Protection. Use respiratory protection to combat effects from breathing dust

and hazardous atmospheres which might contain some, or all, of the following: freon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, asbestos,

carbon dioxide, ammonia, and welding gases.

• Hearing protection. Hearing protection is

extremely important, particularly around saws,

earth-moving equipment and hydraulic tools.

• Eye Protection. Protective eyewear (safety

glasses with side shields, at a minimum), is

necessary personal protective equipment.

• Fall Protection Equipment. Use fall protection

equipment, with lifelines tied off to suitable

anchorage points (e.g., bucket trucks), whenever possible.

Other Considerations

• Be aware of electrical and gas hazards, e.g.,

downed wires and cables or broken gas lines.

Incident commanders should be notified

before continuing.

Potential Hazards for Rescue Workers

and Emergency Responders

• Exposure to blood or body fluids, or

pathogens from sewer system breaks.

• Damaged utility services, including downed

electrical cables, overhead power lines, broken

gas lines, steam and water mains, or compressed gas cylinders.

• Piles of construction and other types of debris,

including over-hanging debris.

• Airborne smoke and dust (asbestos, crystalline

silica, etc.) and possible eye and skin injuries

from dust and flying debris.

• Confined spaces (limited openings from entry

or exits), possible hazardous atmospheres,

including possible flammable or toxic environments.

• Slips, trips or fall hazards from holes, protruding rebar, etc.

• Dangers due to proximity to heavy machinery,

e.g., cranes, loaders, debris-hauling trucks, etc.

• Handling a variety of sharp, jagged materials.

• Potential for secondary collapse of unstable

structures.

• Excessive noise from rescue/ventilation or

other heavy equipment, including generators.

General Precautions

Personal Protective Equipment

• Hand Protection. When handling potentially

infectious materials, use appropriate barrier

FactSheet

Search and Rescue Operations

Following a catastrophe, rescue workers and emergency responders are the first

to arrive on the scene, often in unfamiliar surroundings and adverse weather conditions, ready to save lives and secure the environment to help protect the lives

of those to follow. Rescue workers and emergency responders may be involved

in emergency medical operations involving victim rescue or body recovery around

piles of rubble and other debris, collapsed structures or near structural steel.
• If working in confined spaces, ensure that at

least one person remains outside the space to

monitor operations and assist in an evacuation, if necessary. Reliable communications

and rescue equipment, along with functioning

alarm systems, are imperative.

• Watch for heavy equipment operation, including the swing radius for cranes and other

equipment with arms. Each piece of heavy

equipment should have a spotter when operating near emergency responders and skilled

support workers.

Recommendations

• Monitor for signs of heat/cold stress, such as

altered vital signs, confusion, excessive sweating, and fatigue. Adjust work schedules, rotate

personnel, and add additional workers to work

teams. Refrain from food and beverages in

areas exposed to toxic materials.

• N-95 or greater respiratory protection is

acceptable for most activities with dust exposure, including silica and cement dust. Use

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

full face respirators with P-100 organic

vapor/acid gas combination cartidges if airborne contaminants are causing eye irritation. 

• Emergency responders should wear high-visibility and/or retro-reflective garments or vests

to assure that they are readily identifiable by

other rescue and support workers.

• Decontamination of workers and equipment

before leaving the site is important to prevent

adverse health effects, contain any hazards to

the site, and prevent secondary contamination

of off-site facilities (e.g., fire stations or worker’s homes) or additional equipment (e.g.,

ambulances).

Additional Information

• For more information, visit OSHA’s Web site at

www.osha.gov. 

• The National Fire Protection Association

(http://www.nfpa.org) has issued a standard on

protective clothing and equipment suitable for

the urban search and rescue environment.

U.S. Department of Labor

www.osha.gov

(800) 321-OSHA

For more complete information:

DSTM 9/2005