Items Tagged with 'Flooding'

How can I best protect workers from extreme weather events?

Washington — New videos from OSHA feature safe practices for workers tasked with cleaning up after a flood or using a portable generator.

Six inches of floodwater can cause passenger cars to lose control and stall, the National Weather Service warns. Twelve inches of fast-moving floodwater is enough to carry away most cars, while 24 inches can displace a majority of trucks and SUVs.

Flooding can happen anywhere in the country, and it’s a year-round hazard that happens in all 50 states. As little as 6 inches of floodwater can cause vehicles to lose control and stall, the National Weather Service warns.

Rainfall, snow melt, coastal storms, storm surges, and dam and water system overflows all can lead to flooding. Floodwater can, in turn, cause power outages, disrupt transportation and damage buildings. In 2017, 182 people died from flooding-related incidents, data from Weather.gov shows.

Washington – Recent torrential rains in Texas have prompted OSHA to remind workers, homeowners and others to stay safe while cleaning up after floods.

Personal protective equipment may be the best – or only – way to help protect cleanup workers against floodwater-related hazards.