• If you are an employer, worker, homeowner, or 

member of the public involved in cleanup and 

recovery activities, it is important that you assess 

the potential for hazardous conditions and/or 

exposures before you engage in these activities. 

Keeping Workers Safe during Disaster 

Cleanup and Recovery

Natural disasters can cause widespread flooding and damage to property and 

infrastructure. Cleanup and recovery activities involve hazards that can cause serious 

injuries or death. OSHA urges employers and workers engaged in cleanup and recovery to 

be aware of these hazards and how to protect workers. These hazards are outlined below 

along with the proper precautions for employers and workers.

• Based on an initial assessment of hazards, 

employers need to provide workers with the 

appropriate personal protective equipment, 

training, and information to safely perform 

the work. 

If you have questions, need information or advice, need assistance, or to report an emergency or to file a 

complaint, call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). We are here to help. For more information about the hazards 

listed below, visit OSHA’s Hurricane Preparedness and Response website at: www.osha.gov/hurricane.

 Possible Hazards Protective Measures

Contaminated 

Floodwaters

• Bacteria and other infectious organisms (from 

sewage) in water and soil.

• Toxic substances from flooded industrial and 

waste sites.

• Mold and fungi in the air.

• Ventilate enclosed spaces with fresh air. 

• Assume that floodwater is contaminated unless 

proven otherwise.

• Allow only trained workers with the proper personal 

protective equipment to clean up toxic chemicals, other 

hazardous waste, and mold.

• Be up-to-date with a tetanus shot (within the last 10 years).

• Discard water-damaged and visibly contaminated materials. 

• Use waterproof boots, latex or rubber gloves and other 

protective clothing. Consider using special chemicalresistant outer clothing and protective goggles.

• Use an N-95 NIOSH-approved disposable respirator, at a 

minimum, when handling mold-contaminated materials.

• Keep an adequate supply of clean water available for 

drinking and washing.

Downed 

Power 

Lines • Burns and electrocution from contact with 

energized lines or objects, including tree limbs, 

in contact with downed power lines.

• Assume that all power lines are live or energized.

• Establish and clearly mark a danger zone around downed 

lines. Stay at least 10 feet from all downed lines. 

• Allow only properly trained and equipped workers to repair 

electrical wires. 

Tree Trimming 

and Debris Removal

• Electrocution from contact with power lines or 

tree limbs in contact with power lines.

• Being struck or crushed by falling tree limbs.

• Injuries from equipment, such as chain saws 

and chippers.

• Strains and sprains from lifting or moving tree 

limbs and other debris.

• Contact the utility company to de-energize and ground or 

shield power lines. All tree trimming/removal within 10 feet 

of a power line must be done by trained tree trimmers.

• Establish and clearly mark a danger zone where tree debris 

may fall onto workers. Stay alert at all times.

• Use work gloves, a hard hat, work boots, hearing protection 

and eye/face protection. Wear chaps when using a chainsaw.

• Watch out for chainsaw kickback. Do not cut with saw tip.

• Do not get too close to a chipper. Never reach into an 

operating chipper.

• Use mechanical equipment to lift heavy objects. If not 

possible, use extra people and proper lifting techniques.

Source: www.noaa.gov

FactSheet
 Possible Hazards Protective Measures

Falls

• Falls from aerial lifts, ladders, roofs, and other 

elevated work surfaces.

• Slippery and uneven working surfaces that can 

create injuries due to slips, trips and falls.

• Use safe procedures to prevent aerial lift tip-overs. Use a 

body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to 

the boom or basket of the lift.

• Use proper ladder safety (e.g., set on firm and stable ground, 

maintain “three-point” contact, do not stand on top rung). 

• Be aware of wet or slippery surfaces, obstacles, or uneven 

surfaces on the site.

Portable

Generators

• Shocks and electrocution from gas- and dieselpowered generators.

• Toxic carbon monoxide (CO) from generator 

exhaust. 

• Fires from improper refueling and fuel storage.

• Never run a portable generator inside a house or in an 

enclosed space like a garage.

• Inspect electric cords to ensure they are in good condition and 

free of defects. Use a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

• Ensure that spaces where generators are used are 

properly ventilated. 

• Shut down the generator before refueling. Never store fuel 

or the generator indoors.

Work Zones

• Transportation incidents (injuries and deaths) 

in work zones where workers are struck by 

moving vehicles and mobile equipment.

• Wear high-visibility clothing and headwear compliant with 

ANSI/ISEA 107-2004.

• Use proper traffic controls (i.e., signs, cones, barriers).

• Use proper lighting, flaggers and worksite communications.

• Make sure that vehicle operators are properly trained. 

• Always use seat belts and rollover protection.

Construction

Activities

• Exposure to asbestos-contaminated materials 

during the demolition of buildings and 

structures.

• Spaces with limited access, suffocation 

hazards, or which are confined spaces.

• Trenching and excavation accidents (cave-ins). 

• Risk of back, knee and shoulder injuries 

from manual lifting and handling of building 

materials and fallen tree limbs. 

• Properly select and use PPE (personal protective equipment) 

which may include respiratory protection, along with other 

procedures detailed in 29 CFR 1926.1101.

• Do not enter permit-required confined spaces without 

training and a permit to enter. See 29 CFR 1910.146 for 

more information.

• Prevent cave-ins by benching, sloping, shoring, or shielding the 

soil. See 29 CFR 1926.651 and 1926.652 for more information. 

• Use proper lifting techniques and teams of two or more to 

move bulky or heavy items.

DTSEM FS-3698 11/2013

Worker Rights

You have the right to a safe workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) 

was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires that 

employers provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers. OSHA 

sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, 

training and assistance to workers and employers. Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect 

their workplace if they believe that their employer is not following OSHA standards or that there are 

serious hazards. Contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) if you have questions or want to file a 

complaint. We will keep your information confidential. We are here to help you.

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.