Staying Safe as an Emergency Response and Recovery Worker

Emergency response and recovery workers can face many hazards on the job. The specific dangers depend on the kind of emergency, but general precautions from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) apply across events: know how to recognize hazards, and use personal protective equipment.

Know the hazards

Hazards during response and recovery can be physical, chemical, electrical, musculoskeletal, structural or otherwise. Examples include:

• asbestos;
• bloodborne infectious diseases;
• carbon monoxide;
• confined spaces;
• falls;
• heat stress;
• silica.

Reference tools can help identify chemical hazards and their effects — among them CDC's chemical agents list, the NIOSH Emergency Response Safety and Health Database and Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, international chemical safety cards, the Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook, and toxicological profiles and ToxFAQs from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Prevent bloodborne infections

Exposure to blood and body fluids can happen through contact with sharp objects or contamination of open wounds. Follow safety practices to prevent and control exposure, complete training on handling needles and sharps safely, and know the guidelines for managing and treating exposure incidents. Employers of first responders should have an exposure control plan.

Watch for traumatic incident stress

Emergency work can cause traumatic incident stress, with physical, mental, emotional or behavioral symptoms. Some people react right away at the scene; for others, symptoms appear weeks or months later. Learn to recognize the signs and monitor your health both on site and after a response.

Use personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential, because physical, chemical and biological hazards can enter the body through breathing, touch, eating or drinking. What you need depends on the hazards, but the main equipment is respirators, eye and hearing protection, and protective clothing, along with items such as gloves, boots and goggles.

Sources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health: "Safety Guidelines: Emergency Response and Recovery Workers."