If you must work in a furnace, gas pipe, hole, pumping station, septic tank, wastewater treatment plant, storage tank, basement, well or similar location, you must be aware of danger associated with working in confined spaces. A confined space has one or more of the following characteristics (1) limited entrance and exit openings; (2) unfavorable natural ventilation; or (3) it is not designed for continual, human occupation.
There may be toxic gases, lack of oxygen, or explosive conditions in the confined area. This may cause a deadly environment. Since many toxic fumes and gases are invisible and odorless, the senses can’t be trusted to determine if it is safe to enter a place. You must never enter a confined space until having the appropriate training, not even to rescue a fellow worker. If you must enter a confined space and don’t have the appropriate training or gear, call the fire department for assistance.
WORKING NEAR POWERLINES
Several workers have perished by electrocution after natural disasters. Workers and owner must be extremely cautious while attempting to restore energy or clearing areas near downed power lines. E.g. a worker died after Hurricane Hugo. He was removing trees from a deactivated power line that had been downed by the storm. While checking the work, he stepped on the line and was electrocuted by the energy of a backup generator of a gas station nearby. This “feedback” energy happens when a deactivated line is activated by a secondary energy source.
The following year, another worker died while clearing branches from a power line after a tropical storm. He was electrocuted after a tree fell on a line he thought was deactivated. Although the workers had opened a melted switch in a transformer, the line was kept active by another transformer.
If you work in or near power lines, the following steps may save your life :
You must consider all lines active until you have deactivated them yourself and tested them with the appropriate device. Do not use the method known as “fuzzing” (use of a metallic item) to find out if a cable has been deactivated.
However, finding out that a line is not active is not enough to ensure your safety. Lines wires next to the charge and supply of the work areas must be connected to earth. Connection to earth ground is necessary to protect yourself against electrical feedback hazards by a secondary source, such as a portable generator.
When power is restored in underground warehouses, additional precautions are necessary to avoid dangers from an explosion. When warehouses with electric connections are emptied or pumped and activated, explosive gases can be formed.
AGRICULTURAL HAZARDS:
If you participate in cleaning efforts in or near an estate, the following additional hazards exist:
Confined spaces in farm:
Fermented agricultural materials or filled with mold in confined spaces can produce large amounts of toxic gases that may affect the lungs or cause death if inhaled. Turn on fans or heaters at least 30 minutes before entering, and leave them on during the job. And you should never enter these areas while alone, and should always use a safety line for the entire body.
Respiratory hazards:
Hay, grains, silage and wet organic manure, as well as other organic or agricultural materials usually generate large amounts of bacteria and mold during the hot summer. Inhaling these organisms and organic dust produced may cause lung disease.
Use appropriate engineering controls, including fresh air ventilation. When exposure to organic dust can’t be avoided, use an air purifier with a particle high efficiency filter (HEPA), to reduce risk.
Stored hay:
Wet hay generates mold very quickly. The biological process of mold and bacteria formation may cause the hay to experience spontaneous combustion. Find out if one of the following dangers of hay exists: Smells, hot and wet areas, and increasing fumes. If you come across one of these dangers, remove the wet hay from the building.
STRESS, LONG HOURS, AND FATIGUE MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURIES AND DISEASE:
Continual work hours, along with physical and emotional exhaustion, trauma caused by the loss of a damaged home, and temporary loss of the job may cause a very stressful situation for those performing cleaning activities after a flood. Workers exposed to these stressful conditions are at greater risk of an emotional crisis and injuries, and are more vulnerable to stress induced disease.
Emotional support from family, neighbors and mental health professionals can help in the prevention of the most serious problems related with stress during the following months.
People who work in all phases of cleaning after a flood may reduce the risk of injury and disease.
Establish priorities for cleaning chores; space the work in a few days (or weeks). Avoid physical fatigue.
Return to normal sleeping hours as soon as possible. Rest enough and make frequent pauses before fatigue builds up.
Take advantage of help programs and services for natural disasters in your community.
Be aware of stress or physical exhaustion. When the family or friends are not available for support, seek professionals in health centers of your community.
