Safety Tips for Disaster Recovery and Cleanup


Hurricanes in Macon, GA can be horrifying but cleaning up after a disaster can be worse, because of the potential hazards and amount of time and effort  needed. Flooding can disrupt water purification and sewage disposal systems, overflowing of toxic wastes sites, and spilling of chemicals previously stored above ground. 

Below are some safety tips for disaster cleanup and recovery in Macon, GA.

  • Use a wooden stick or pole to check flooded areas for pits, holes, and protruding objects before entering any establishment. 
    • Conduct a preliminary inspection in your worksite to verify stability before entering the building or operating vehicles over roadways or surfaces.
    • Don’t work in or around any flooded buildings or any establishment that is destroyed by flood until it has been examined and certified as safe by qualified experts.

  • Use fuel-powered generators outdoors. Do not bring them indoors!

  • Get the right safety gear
    • Hard hats
    • Goggles
    • N95 masks (or a respirator with a higher protection level)
    • Heavy work gloves
    • Waterproof boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank)
    • Earplugs or protective headphones (if you’re working with noisy equipment)
    • At least two fire extinguishers (each with a UL rating of at least 10A)

  • If sewage is involved, make sure to wear the following during your cleanup:
    • Rubber boots
    • Rubber gloves
    • Goggles

  • If damage to an electrical system is suspected, for example, the wiring has been underwater and you can smell burning insulation, turn off the electrical system in the building and follow lockout / tag-out procedures before starting work. Do not turn the power back on until equipment has been inspected by a qualified person.

  • To disinfect water, use 5 drops of liquid household bleach to each gallon of water and let sit for at least 30 minutes for disinfection to be completed.

  • Disease Prevention/First Aid:
    • There is a significant potential for disease from debris, waste, standing, and contaminated water.
    • Make sure your tetanus shot is current. Wounds associated with a flood should be evaluated for risk. Tetanus vaccination may be needed.

  • For workers exposed to mold or fungi, avoid breathing dust, fungal spores, generated by wet building materials, crops, and other materials. You can call Macon mold remediation company if you discover some mold issues in building.

  • Large items with heavy mold growth should be covered with polyethylene sheeting and sealed with duct tape before being removed from the area.

Hazards should be properly identified, evaluated in controlled systems to reduce or eliminate occupational safety and health risks to response and recovery workers.

Keep in mind that some emergency response operations such as utility restoration, cleaning up spills of hazardous materials, search and rescue must be conducted by qualified workers with proper training, equipment, and experience.

If your home or business is damaged by flooding, call the experts for Water Damage Restoration in Macon, GAServiceMaster of Middle Georgia

Call ServiceMaster of Middle Georgia at (478) 313-4353 for 24-hour emergency service in Macon, GA, and surrounding areas. 

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