Health and Safety Awareness for Earthquake Emergency

Response

ObjectivesObjectives

• Know the potential health and safety hazards associated with rescue, response, and clean-up work after a major earthquake.

• Be prepared for environmental and occupational health threats to deployed personnel.

• Understand the safety measures you can use to protect yourself in the field.

Potential Health and Safety HazardsPotential Health and Safety Hazards

• Aftershocks & Smaller Quakes • Unstable Work Surfaces / Debris Piles• Heat Stress and other Heat-Related Illness • Potential Chemical Exposures• Electrical Hazards• Carbon Monoxide Inhalation• Heavy Equipment & Lifting• Falling Debris & Particles• Sharp Protruding Objects• Breathing Dust Containing Toxins• Food and Water Contamination• Infectious Disease• Animal and Insect Hazards• Traumatic stress may jeopardize a person’s resiliency

AftershocksAftershocks

• Additional earth movements called "aftershocks." Although most of these are smaller than the main earthquake, some may be large enough to cause additional damage or bring down weakened structures.

• After effects can include fires, chemical spills, landslides, dam breaks, and tidal waves, be sure to monitor your battery-operated radio or TV for additional emergency information

• Emotional “aftershocks” can impact performance

– Ensure surfaces are stable as possible. – Only walk on surfaces you know are stable.– Use alternative methods to access work

surfaces.– Wear personal protective equipment,

including safety shoes with slip resistant soles, hard hats, eye glasses and work gloves.

– Do not walk under or through areas where cranes and other heavy equipment are being used to lift objects.

– Make sure you have an up-to-date tetanus immunization

Health and Safety Hazard 1: Unstable Work Surfaces / Debris PilesUnstable Work Surfaces / Debris Piles

• Massive piles of construction and other types of debris, can contribute to traumatic injuries, including serious fall injuries, from slips trips and falls or collapsing materials.

• Safety Measures

Health and Safety Hazard 2:

Heat Stress and other Heat Related Illness • Wearing encapsulating/insulating gear or doing heavy

work in a hot, humid environment can contribute to significant fluid loss that can progress to clinical dehydration, increased body temperature, impaired judgment, disorientation, fatigue, and heat stroke.

• Symptoms– Heat Stress: headaches; thirst; profuse sweating; muscle

aches.– Heat Exhaustion: headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea;

sweating; pale, clammy skin; cramps in legs and abdomen; rapid, weakening pulse and breathing.

– Heat Stroke: headaches; dizziness; restlessness; confusion; hot, flushed dry skin; body temp above 104 degrees F; unresponsiveness/disoriented.

Health and Safety Hazard 2:

Heat Stress and other Heat Related Illness • Safety Measures

– Drink plenty of water – about one cup every 15 minutes.– Be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat-related

illnesses (heat stress, heat exhaustion, heat stroke).– Block out direct sun or other heat sources.– Use cooling fans, air conditioning, and rest regularly.– Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals.– Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.– Get medical help for symptoms such as altered vital

signs, confusion, profuse sweating, or excessive fatigue.– Remember that self care is essential to your mission.

Health and Safety Hazard 3:

Potential Chemical ExposuresPotential Chemical Exposures

– Be cautious of chemicals, propane tanks, and other dangerous materials.

– Wear protective clothing and gear (for example, a respirator if needed) when handling hazardous materials.

– Wash skin that may have come in contact with hazardous materials.

• During emergencies such as earthquakes, chemicals that have the potential to harm people’s health might be released from businesses, homes, and other sources into the environment.

• Common chemical risks after earthquakes include: underground fuel tanks, industrial/commercial chemicals, household chemicals; diesel, gasoline, motor oil, chlorine, medical waste, and corrosives.

• Symptoms: Eye, nose, throat, upper respiratory tract, and skin irritation; flu like symptoms; central nervous system depression, fatigue, loss of coordination, memory difficulties, sleeplessness, mental confusion.

• Safety Measures

Health and Safety Hazard 4:

Electrical HazardsElectrical Hazards • Electrical Hazards after a earthquake include

overhead power lines, downed electrical wires and cables.

• Safety Measures– Treat all power lines and cables as energized until

proven otherwise.– Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power

lines. – Never touch a fallen power line. – Look for buried power line indicators.– Do not drive through standing water if downed power

lines are in the water. – Get the owner or operator of the lines to de-energize

and ground lines when working near them.

Health and Safety Hazard 5:

Carbon Monoxide InhalationCarbon Monoxide Inhalation

• The use of alternative sources of fuel or electricity during a power outage can cause CO to build up in a home, garage, or camper and to poison the people and animals inside.

• Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death.

• Symptoms: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

• Safety Measures: Avoid poorly ventilated areas near generators to reduce the risk of CO poisoning.

Health and Safety Hazard 6:

Heavy EquipmentHeavy Equipment

• Be aware of activities around you:– Forklifts– Bobcats– Loaders– Backhoes

• Safety Measures– Do not walk under or through areas where cranes or

other heavy equipment are lifting objects.– Do not climb onto or ride loads being lifted or moved. – Do not ride on equipment.– Wear hearing protection where excessive noise from

equipment poses a risk of hearing damage

Health and Safety Hazard 7:

Falling Debris & ParticlesFalling Debris & Particles

• Injuries, including eye injuries, can be caused by dust and falling debris.

• Safety Measures:• Wear PPE, including hard hats, safety shoes, eye glasses and work gloves.

• Use safety glasses with side shields or safety goggles for eye protection from fine dust particles, or for use over regular prescription eye glasses.

• Do not walk under or through areas where cranes and other heavy equipment are being used to lift objects.

• Make sure your tetanus immunization & diphtheria toxoid booster is up to date.

Health and Safety Hazard 8:

MoldMold• After earthquakes with associated floods, water creates the

perfect environment for mold to grow in homes and other buildings, potentially leading to mold infection in people. People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold.

• Symptoms: stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation.

• Safety Measures– Avoid breathing dust (fungal spores) generated by wet building

materials.– Use an N95 NIOSH-approved disposable respirator as a minimum when

working with small areas of moldy or damp materials. More protection may be needed for extended work.

– Wear long gloves that reach the middle of your forearm. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocide such as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution, you should select gloves made from natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC.

– Avoid touching mold or moldy items with your bare hands.

Health and Safety Hazard 9:Breathing Dust Containing ToxinsBreathing Dust Containing Toxins

– An N95 or greater respiratory protection is acceptable for most activities, including silica and portland cement dust.

– A half-mask elastomeric respirator with N, R, or P-100 series is recommended if asbestos is present.

– If airborne contaminants are causing eye irritation, full-face respirators with P-100 organic vapor/acid gas (OV/AG) combination cartridges should be used.

• After an earthquake, dust containing asbestos (from pulverized insulation and fireproofing materials) and silica (from pulverized concrete), which are toxic, may be released into the air.

• Respiratory protection

Health and Safety Hazard 10:

Food- and Water-borne Disease• Flood waters may contain fecal material from damaged sewage

systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated with floodwater.

• Safety Measures:– If you have any open cuts or sores that will be exposed to floodwater,

keep them as clean as possible by washing them with soap and applying an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection.

– Wash hands before drinking or eating.– If clean water is not available, use alcohol-based sanitizer for cleaning

hands. – Eat only food from safe sources, avoid food that had contact with

floodwater.– Use bottled water and sealed drinks only.– Boil water advisories may be present (60 seconds full rolling boil or 1/8

tsp bleach per gallon of water for 30 min before consuming). – Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill.

Health and Safety Hazard 11:

Infectious DiseaseInfectious Disease• Widespread disease is uncommon after most earthquakes

and associated flooding.

• Safety Measures– Hand washing with soap and clean water is paramount.

– First Aid: clean wounds with clean, running water and soap for 10 minutes.

– Report any fever, rash, significant wound or other unusual symptom promptly.

• GI and respiratory conditions may increase due to lack of clean water or hygiene.

• Skin and wound infections may become more common from trauma and poor hygiene. If wound is red, draining, swelling, tender, or warm or hot to touch, seek immediate medical attention.

Health and Safety Hazard 12:

Animal and Insect Hazards • Mosquitoes - Flooding may result in excessive breeding of

mosquitoes which can carry diseases, such as West Nile virus or dengue fever.

• Snakes - Snake nests will be disturbed during an earthquake or flooding, forcing them to seek shelter elsewhere. They are prone to enter abandoned homes, vehicles, furniture and equipment.

• Wild and Stray Animals - Animals displaced from their natural habitats may seek shelter in places where they may be exposed to people. Such animals may be infected with rabies.

• Safety Measures– Use long pants, long sleeves, and repellent containing DEET or

Picaridin. – To help control mosquito populations, drain all standing water left

outdoors in open containers, such as flower pots, tires, pet dishes, or buckets.

– Avoid wild or stray animals.– Call local authorities to handle animals.

ImmunizationsImmunizations• All responders should have had primary series

and tetanus and diphtheria toxoid booster within the past 10 years.

• Hepatitis B vaccine series is required for persons performing direct patient care or otherwise expect to have contact with blood/body fluids.

• Other vaccines (rabies, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera) are not currently indicated.

Personal Protective EquipmentPersonal Protective EquipmentThe following PPE may be needed during earthquake or flood response and

recovery operations:• Foot protection: steel toe/heavy duty work shoes or boots, with

consideration given to water protection in flooded areas.• Eye and face protection: goggles or safety glasses, full face shields, or

other suitable protection.• Head protection: hard hat or helmet, in areas where overhead falling object

or electrical hazards exist.• Hand protection: gloves suitable for the tasks being performed (balancing

dexterity versus protection). Considerations include biological hazards (blood borne pathogens), chemical hazards, and physical hazards (abrasions, cuts and punctures, heat).

• Respiratory protection: where nuisance levels of dust or mold are present, use of N95 NIOSH approved filtering face piece is recommended. Charcoal-impregnated respirators may provide additional comfort against nuisance odors. When airborne contaminants exceed, or may reasonably be expected to exceed, exposure levels the use of respiratory protection is recommended.

• Hearing protection is recommended where excessive noise from equipment poses a risk of hearing damage.

Personal Protective Equipment:Usage guidelinesUsage guidelines

• Respirators should be used in the context of an OSHA-compliant respiratory protection program, including respirator medical clearance, training, fit testing and fit checking.

• Disposable PPE should be properly discarded as directed by local authorities.

• Non-disposable PPE should be cleaned and disinfected as specified by CDC guidelines. This information will be provided when the PPE is issued.

Earthquake Informational LinksEarthquake Informational LinksFor Further Information on Earthquakes and Worker Health

and Safety Precautions please access:

– CDC Emergency Preparedness and Response Page on Earthquakes: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/

– HHS Disasters and Emergencies on Earthquakes: http://www.hhs.gov/disasters/emergency/naturaldisasters/earthquake/index.html

– Traumatic Incident Stress: Information For Emergency Response Workers: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/unp-trinstrs.html