OSHA Shares Guidelines in Advance of Hurricane Florence

With Hurricane Florence barreling towards the Carolinas and mid-Atlantic coast of the United States, and a number of highly active storms in the Pacific Ocean (Typhoon Mangkhut, Hurricane Olivia, and Tropical Storm Paul), local and state governments are bracing for what could prove to be another set of devastating weather events impacting the entire country.

OSHA Guidelines for Safety and Recovery

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information, guidelines and tips to ensure preparedness and worker safety and health resources including disaster recovery.

OSHA’s Hurricane Preparedness and Response Web page outlines several links on preparedness and response and recovery.

OSHA’s Worker Safety and Health Resources for Hurricanes and Flood Cleanup and Recovery website provides up-to-date listings of:

• OSHA Fact Sheets
• QuickCardsTM
• Inter-agency and OSHA alliance partner publications that will aid in cleanup and recovery operations.

Prepare Your Staff for Before, During and After

It’s important to prepare staff on hurricanes and potential flooding that will occur before, during, and after these storms.  Follow these three steps and keep your team safe:

Know the Risks

You can search for general information about hurricanes and risks in your area by visiting www.ready.gov and www.nhc.noaa.gov, or other local/national weather applications.

Be Prepared

As the storm(s) approach, ensure that all employees are aware of accountability systems and how to get in touch with supervisors and/or other employees when disasters affect their area.

Monitor and Stay Informed

Know where to get trusted information during a hurricane and monitor the local news and follow directions of supervisors and local officials.

For questions and assistance with this resource list and the linked documents,
please contact Christopher Lawver, DTSEM/OEMP, at (202) 693-1985.