Natural events and emergencies

Healthy and safe work after a natural event or emergency

Workers have a right to be kept safe and healthy, whether they are involved in cleaning up or clocking on for a shift.

Working with silt or contaminated soil after a natural event or emergency

Always assume that debris and flood water (and therefore silt) is contaminated with farm run-off, chemicals, or sewage. Contaminated debris, flood water, and silt can make you sick.

Preventing and cleaning up mould after a natural event or emergency

When buildings and vehicles become wet due to severe storms or earthquakes, it is common that mould will grow in the days and weeks afterwards.

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) to clean up after a natural event or emergency

Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays an important role in protecting people’s health.

Asbestos safety after a natural event or emergency

When homes and other buildings containing asbestos are damaged during floods, the asbestos-containing materials can become eroded, disturbed, broken, or friable.

Managing fatigue after a natural event or emergency

Immediately after an emergency, it’s important to watch out for fatigue of your workers. Fatigue can reduce a person’s ability to perform work safely and effectively, risking their own health and the safety of others.

Managing strain and sprain risks after a natural event or emergency

Immediately after an emergency, it’s important to monitor the musculoskeletal health of your workers. This includes ensuring that workers don’t over-exert themselves by moving, lifting, carrying, or pushing/pulling things that are heavier than they can safely manage.