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Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: OSHA's Role in the Response
"On the night of April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, located 45 miles off the coast of Venice, Louisiana, exploded and caught fire, resulting in the deaths of eleven workers. The rig sank on the morning of April 22, and oil leaking from the Macondo wellhead began reaching shore in late May. At the peak of the Deepwater Horizon response operations, more than 47,000 men and women were involved in responding to and cleaning up the oil spill each day. The workers on the front lines of the response faced potential hazards on the job such as extreme heat, fatigue, electrical, motor vehicle, sharp objects, material handling, confined spaces, potential chemical exposures, loud noises, drowning, struck-by, slips, falls, and insect bites. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was part of the coordinated federal response to ensure that workers were protected from these hazards. OSHA's efforts included a comprehensive assessment of hazards and aggressive oversight of BP to ensure that workers had the training and protection they needed. OSHA's activities were guided by its strategic objectives for the response: 1) Continually monitor and evaluate BP's efforts to ensure that BP implements the appropriate precautions needed to fully protect all workers from the safety and health hazards associated with their cleanup work. 2) Reach out to communities to ensure that workers know their rights and that employers know their responsibilities for protecting workers. Focus efforts to increase workers' 'voice in the workplace' and educate workers regarding how to obtain OSHA's assistance. 3) Ensure that all workers are adequately trained for their jobs in a manner and language they understand."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2011-05
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Avian Flu
"Avian influenza (AI) viruses infect wild birds and poultry (e.g., chickens). They are divided into two groups based upon the severity of the disease they produce in poultry: low pathogenicity AI (LPAI) viruses and highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) viruses. LPAI viruses occur naturally in wild birds but can spread to poultry where they generally cause minor illness. However, HPAI viruses are highly contagious and cause high mortality in poultry. While LPAI viruses pose little threat to human health, certain HPAI viruses have caused serious illness and even death. Of particular concern to public health are the HPAI H5N1 viruses that are spreading rapidly in some parts of the world. HPAI H5N1 viruses have caused the deaths of millions of birds and of over 140 people worldwide. These deaths have thus far been restricted to Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. As of October 2006, the HPAI H5N1 virus has not been found in the United States."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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Hospitals and Community Emergency Response: What You Need to Know [2008]
"Protecting healthcare workers who respond to emergencies involving hazardous substances is critical. Healthcare workers responding to emergencies may be exposed to chemical, biological, physical, or radioactive hazards. Hospitals providing emergency response services must be prepared to carry out their missions without jeopardizing the safety and health of their own and other employees. Of special concern are the situations where contaminated patients arrive at the hospital for triage (sorting) or definitive treatment following a major incident. In many localities, the hospital has not been firmly integrated into the community emergency response system and may not be prepared to safely treat multiple casualties resulting from an incident involving hazardous substances. Increasing awareness of the need to protect healthcare workers and understanding the principal considerations in emergency response planning will help reduce the risk of employee exposure to hazardous substances. (Note: This publication focuses on emergencies originating outside the hospital and does not address responses to internal hazardous material (HAZMAT) releases, e.g., release of ethylene oxide)."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2008
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response
"OSHA's [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] standards for general industry and the construction industry on hazardous waste operations and emergency response (29 CFR 1910.120 or 29 CFR 1926.65) cover all employees involved in: 1. Clean-up operations of hazardous substances at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites required by Federal, state, local or other governments; 2. Corrective actions involving clean-up procedures at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA); 3. Voluntary clean-up operations at sites recognized as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites by Federal, state, local or other governments; 4. Operations involving hazardous waste that are conducted at treatment, storage and disposal facilities licensed under RCRA; 4. Emergency response operations for hazardous substance releases or substantial threats of releases. Exceptions are permitted if the employer can demonstrate that the operation does not involve employee exposure or a reasonable possibility of such exposure to hazards. State and local government employees are covered by equivalent standards in the 26 states with OSHA-approved state plans and by the Environment Protection Agency's hazardous waste standard in states without plans."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2004
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Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers
"Healthcare and social service workers face significant risks of job-related violence and it is OSHA's [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] mission to help employers address these serious hazards. This publication updates OSHA's 1996 and 2004 voluntary guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers. OSHA's violence prevention guidelines are based on industry best practices and feedback from stakeholders, and provide recommendations for developing policies and procedures to eliminate or reduce workplace violence in a range of healthcare and social service settings. These guidelines reflect the variations that exist in different settings and incorporate the latest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of violence in the workplace. Workplace setting determines not only the types of hazards that exist, but also the measures that will be available and appropriate to reduce or eliminate workplace violence hazards. For the purpose of these guidelines, we have identified five different settings: [1] Hospital settings represent large institutional medical facilities; [2] Residential Treatment settings include institutional facilities such as nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities; [3] Non-residential Treatment/Service settings include small neighborhood clinics and mental health centers; [4] Community Care settings include community-based residential facilities and group homes; and [5] Field work settings include home healthcare workers or social workers who make home visits."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2016
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Protecting Worker Safety and Health under the National Response Framework
"During a disaster, protecting response and recovery workers is essential for assuring a successful response and recovery. When large-scale disasters overwhelm State and local assets, the National Response Framework (NRF) Worker Safety and Health Support Annex can provide the technical assistance needed to help protect Federal, State, tribal, and local organizations' response and recovery workers. Depending upon the scope, complexity, and hazards associated with the incident, these services can include: identifying and assessing worker health and safety hazards present at the incident site and in the environment; assessing the resources needed to protect workers and identifying the sources available to meet these needs; providing technical expertise in industrial hygiene, occupational safety and health, structural collapse engineering, safety engineering, radiation safety, biological and chemical agent response, and occupational medicine; managing the creation and implementation of a site-specific health and safety plan (HASP); monitoring and managing worker safety and health hazards through on-site identification, evaluation, analysis, and mitigation, including personal exposure monitoring; providing assistance with developing, implementing, and monitoring the personal protective equipment (PPE) program, including the selection, use, and decontamination of PPE; coordinating the collection and management of exposure and accident/injury data to identify trends and facilitate data sharing; coordinating and providing incident-specific response and recovery worker training; and assisting with the development and distribution of educational materials on preventing and mitigating hazards."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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U.S. Department of Labor: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) [website]
The mission of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is to save lives, prevent injuries and protect the health of America's workers. To accomplish this, federal and state governments must work in partnership with the more than 100 million working men and women and their six and a half million employers who are covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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Hurricane eMatrix: Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix for Hurricane Response and Recovery Work
"Work conditions change drastically after hurricanes and other natural disasters. In the wake of a hurricane, response and recovery workers will face additional challenges, such as downed power lines, downed trees, and high volumes of construction debris, while performing an otherwise familiar task/operation. In this Hazard Exposure and Risk Assessment Matrix, OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] provides information on many of the most common and significant additional hazards that response and recovery workers might encounter when working in an area recently devastated by a hurricane. This Matrix highlights a number of tasks and operations associated with disaster response and recovery. The Matrix is designed to help employers make decisions during their risk assessment that will protect their workers working in hurricane-impacted areas."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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Hoja de Datos OSHA: Derrame de Petróleo en el Cañon Deepwater Horizon/Mississippi 252
Note: the summary for this Spanish language document is from the English translation. "Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) top priority is to ensure that oil spill response and cleanup operations are done as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible. This fact sheet provides basic information about common operations, hazards, training and worker protection. If you are unsure or think your work is unsafe, STOP and ASK your supervisor. You can call OSHA at one of its gulf coast Area Offices during normal working hours or at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or TTY 1-877-889-5627 for further information."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2010-06
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Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool [website]
From the Website: "This eTool* will help small, low-hazard service or retail businesses implement an emergency action plan, and comply with OSHA's [Occupational Safety and Health Administration's] emergency standards. [...] Businesses that deal with hazardous substances (such as Ethylene Oxide, Methylenedianiline, or Butadiene), or that are subject to the provisions of the Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals, Hazardous Waste Operations, or Grain Handling standards may also need to develop an emergency action plan in compliance with 29 CFR [Code of Federal Regulations] 1910.38(a). However, these businesses are beyond the scope of this eTool. [...] *eTools are stand-alone, interactive, highly illustrated web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. Some use expert system modules, which enable users to answer questions and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site. Some provide guidance information for developing a comprehensive safety and health program and include other recommended practices that often go beyond specific OSHA requirements. As indicated in the disclaimer, eTools do not create new OSHA requirements."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments
"Workplace violence, whether it is defined narrowly to include only violent criminal acts, or broadly to include verbal threats, has long affected retail workers. OSHA [U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration] developed these recommendations to help late-night retail employers design and implement prevention programs tailored to the workplace violence hazards in their businesses. Existing data, while limited, suggests that late-night retail establishments, such as convenience stores, liquor stores, and gasoline stations, experience relatively high homicide and assault rates. This booklet is meant to provide guidance to retail employers so they may avoid such incidents whenever possible. By recognizing the hazards that lead to violent incidents and implementing appropriate prevention and control measures, employers will improve the safety of their workers. OSHA encourages employers to establish violence prevention programs and to track their progress in reducing work-related assaults. Although not every incident can be prevented, the severity of injuries sustained by workers can be reduced. Adopting practical measures, such as those outlined in this publication, can significantly reduce this serious threat to worker safety"
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2009
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Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic
According to this guidance, without the proper steps in place in the labor workforce, the spread of an influenza pandemic could have major consequences in the business sector and the economy. The guidance provides a plan for businesses to prepare for an influenza pandemic to help stem the pandemic and to continue business without unnecessary exposure to the influenza. The guidance divides workplaces and work operations into four risk zones, according to the likelihood of employees' occupational exposure to pandemic influenza. Recommendations for employee protection are presented for each of the four levels of anticipated risk and include engineering controls, work practices and use of personal protective equipment such as respirators and surgical masks and their relative value in protecting employees. This guidance has several websites of agencies and of information that could be helpful in finding more on pandemic influenza from both federal and state programs.
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2007-02
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OSHA Fact Sheet: 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."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Health and Safety Recommendations for Workers Who Handle Human Remains
"Employers and workers face a variety of health hazards when handling, or working near, human remains. Workers directly involved in recovery or other efforts that require the handling of human remains are susceptible to bloodborne viruses such as hepatitis and HIV, and bacteria that cause diarrheal diseases, such as shigella and salmonella."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Cleanup Hazards
"Cleanup work of any kind is hazardous, but flood conditions make it even more so. Following the procedures listed below will help to keep you safe and healthy while cleaning up after natural disasters that involve flooding."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Working Safely Around Downed Electrical Wires
"Electrical hazards exist in some form in nearly all occupations. However, those hazards multiply for workers involved in cleanup and recovery efforts following major disasters and weather emergencies. One particular life-threatening danger exists around downed and low hanging electrical wires."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-07
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OSHA Quick Card: Electrical Safety
The OSHA Quick Card: Electrical Safety provides safety information on electrical hazards, "electrical hazards can cause burns, shocks and
electrocution (death)".
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Datos Rápidos: Protéjase: La Gripe Aviar Empleados de Granjas Avícolas
This document is in Spanish. "Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and have infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S., take appropriate precautions if you are involved in poultry destruction." This document also includes "Cuando se Trabaja en Actividades de Erradicación".
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Quick Card: Protect Yourself: Avian Flu: Poultry Employees
"Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and have infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S., take appropriate precautions if you are involved in poultry destruction." This OSHA Quick Card also includes health safety tips for "When Engaged in Eradication Activities".
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Datos Rápidos: Protéjase: La Gripe Aviar: Empleados de Laboratorios
This document is in Spanish. "Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S., take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Quick Card: Protect Yourself: Avian Flu Laboratory Employees
"Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S., take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Datos Rápidos: Protéjase:: La Gripe Aviar: Empleados del Cuidado de la Salud
This document is in Spanish. "Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are detected in the U.S., take appropriate precautions. In addition, patients who have traveled within 10 days in a country with avian flu activity and who are hospitalized with a severe feverish respiratory illness, or who are otherwise being evaluated for avian flu, should be isolated using the following precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Datos Rápidos: Protéjase:: La Gripe Aviar Encargados de Comida
This document is in Spanish. "Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses which have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S. or if you are a U.S. employee working in a country known to have HPAI H5N1 outbreaks, take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-11
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OSHA Datos Rápidos: Protéjase: La Gripe Aviar Precauciones Generales
This document is in Spanish. "Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are detected in the U.S. or if you travel on work assignments or are employed in countries that have HPAI H5N1 outbreaks, take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Quick Card: Protect Yourself: Avian Flu Healthcare Workers
"Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are detected in the U.S., take appropriate precautions. In addition, patients who have traveled within 10 days in a country with avian flu activity and who are hospitalized with a severe feverish respiratory illness, or who are otherwise being evaluated for avian flu, should be isolated using the following precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Quick Card: Protect Yourself: Avian Flu Food Handlers
"Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses which have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are found in the U.S. or if you are a U.S. employee working in a country known to have HPAI H5N1 outbreaks, take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-11
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OSHA Quick Card: Protect Yourself: Avian Flu General Precautions
"Avian flu is a viral disease and it can be very contagious and even deadly in poultry (e.g., chickens). Of great concern are the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses that have killed millions of birds and infected humans in other countries. If these viruses are detected in the U.S. or if you travel on work assignments or are employed in countries that have HPAI H5N1 outbreaks, take appropriate precautions."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2006-10
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Fungi Hazards and Flood Cleanup
"Flood conditions contribute to the growth and transmission of many kinds of fungi, some of which can cause sickness. Cleanup workers are at increased risk of exposure to airborne fungi and their spores because they often handle moldy building materials, decaying vegetable matter, rotting waste material, and other fungus-contaminated debris. The fungal material is carried into the respiratory tract when airborne particles are inhaled. There are many different kinds of fungi, including mildew, molds, rusts, and yeasts. Most of these are harmless, but some can cause respiratory and other disorders when workers inhale or come into contact with fungi. Inhalation is the route of exposure of most concern to flood cleanup workers. The recommendations below offer strategies for workers renovating flooded buildings, homes, and structures to protect themselves while handling building materials that are visibly contaminated with fungi."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Hand Hygiene and Protective Gloves in Hurricane-Affected Areas
"Flood environments present many health and safety challenges for rescue workers, emergency responders and clean-up crews. Preventing or minimizing disease exposure when working in contaminated flood waters is possible by taking various precautions, specifically with proper hand hygiene and the use of protective gloves."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-09
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OSHA Fact Sheet: Grounding Requirements for Portable Generators
"Portable generators are internal combustion engines used to generate electricity. They are useful when temporary or remote power is needed, and are commonly used during cleanup and recovery efforts following disasters."
United States. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
2005-10
