3.0) Safety & Health: (page 1 of 2)

3.1) First Things First: Mitigation and restoration contractors should put the safety and health (S&H) of its workers, subcontractors and the occupants of the structure they are servicing as their highest priority.

Contractors should implement the following programs into their operations:

    - Appoint a Safety & Health director
    - Develop a Safety & Health policy program
    - Safety & Health meeting at the start of each project
    - Immunization program for workers

3.2) Safety Equipment: Persons should wear the appropriate safety equipment (see PPE Section 4.5) when entering a loss site.  This should include; respirator, eye protection, gloves, safety or hard work boots, hard hats, overalls and any other safety equipment that is deemed necessary to protect the safety, health and welfare of workers and all persons involved.

3.3) Health: Some loss sites will be classified as unhealthy, such as; #2 Gray Water and #3 Black Water and sewage back-flows, while some fires loss sites would also be classified as unhealthy. (ref. 6.8, 7.8, 7.9)

Water losses, when not properly treated or when left unattended for periods of time could result in mold (fungi) formation.

Fires contain particles of incomplete combustion (PIC's) a/k/a soot that could be of organic or inorganic matter or a combination of both, and could contain chemical by-products that produce hazardous gases.

Organic fires, such as a protein fire can contain as many as 26 amino acids and nitrates, and some nitrates have been known to produce carcinogenic properties.

When by-product chemicals such as hydrochloric acid are present, the structure should be ventilated, and fireman fans or equal should be used to remove off gassing.

Should hazardous substances such as; PCB's, asbestos, lead, mercury, etc. be discovered during the mitigation or restoration process, work should stop, and the procedures described in Section 3.21 should apply.

3.4) Structure: Structural weakness and defects are possible after fire, storm and flood losses.  After a loss, the structure should be inspected for possible structural weakness and defects.

Areas that are structurally unsound should be marked off with OSHA approved color-coded tape and signs as described below:

    - DANGER (Red), probable severe injury or death
    - WARNING (Orange), possible severe injury or death
    - CAUTION (Yellow), probable minor injury

When a structure is deemed unsafe by a government agency, no one should enter the structure until the appropriate measures are taken to secure or repair the unsafe areas of the structure.

An engineer or competent person should inspect  possible and probable structural weakness and defects to determine the probable effects they could have on the structure integrity.
 

Ozone Threshold Limit Value (TLV) Chart
Table 3-A
 

3.5) Contents: Contents are items not considered a part of the structure and would include; furnishings, clothing, appliances, food, etc.

3.5.a) Food: Open containers of food should be considered contaminated after fire or smoke loss.  While foods that come in contact with water should also be classified as contaminated.

Foods that have been classified as contaminated should not be consumed and property owner(s) should be informed of possible food contamination.  Foods when classified as contaminated should be inventoried and priced before discarding, while the pricing of contents is the responsibility of the owner,. 

At times, it would be necessary for contractors to remove contaminated food when performing mitigation services.  All foods inventoried by contractors should be left on-site for the property owner(s) to inspect, confirm and price before discarding.  Questions about contaminated food replacement or pricing should be directed to the insurance adjuster.

3.5.b) Hard Contents: Content items when exposed to #2 Gray Water #3 Black Water, sewage, mold or could be disinfected and cleaned. 

Hard contents would include non-absorbing materials, such as; tile,

3.6) Board-Up and Structural Repairs: Board-ups and structural repairs are necessary to protect a property and its contents from the elements of weather, vandalism, and looting.

When performing board-up and structural repairs, every effort should be made to prevent further damage to the structure when securing plywood, shrink wrap, etc.

Experienced and competent persons should perform the securing, bracing and repairs of structural components.

3.6.a) Board-Up: Board-up material should be of materials that are suited to withstand the elements they are designated to protect it from, while broken glass, sharp objects, etc. that poses a safety hazard should be removed. 

3.6.b) Structural Repairs: Losses such as; fires, storms and vehicular collisions could require structural repairs to the roof, exterior walls, etc.

3.6.c) Materials:  When performing structural repairs, only materials suited for the application they are intended for should be used.

    - Plywood, when used as temporary roof sheeting or as
      temporary floor sheeting should be type CDX, have a
      minimum thickness of 1/2", and be secured a
      minimum of 16" on center.
    - Structural lumber shall be free of defects.
    - Fasteners such as; nails, bolts etc. should be the approved
      type to meet the structural  stress and load bearing they
      are intend to carry.
    - Used materials could be used, as long as the used materials
      meet the minimum code requirements of new materials
    - Only materials suited for the application they are
      intended to protect, carry, support, etc. should be used
    - Bracing and temporary supports should be rated to handle the
      dead and liveloads (weights) that they are designed to carry
    - When in doubt about the appropriate materials or methods
      needed to carry the dead and live loads (weight) of a structure,
      an engineer or competent person should be consulted.
    - Structural repairs or bracing should conform with local,
      regional and national codes.
    - Damaged structural components such as; broken glass, torn or
      twisted, etc. lumber should be documented (photographed)
      before work commences.

3.6.d) Unsafe Structures: Structures that are classified as unsafe by a government agency, should be labeled as un-safe, and marked off with OSHA approved color-coded tape and signs as described in Section 3.4.

Structural bracing and repairs to structural components should only be performed by experienced and competent persons,

3.6.e) Natural Gas: Structures should be checked for natural gas leaks during a loss site inspection, and is most significant after natural or man-made disasters (earthquake, explosion, hurricane, tornado, etc.).

3.7) Chemical and Cleaning Agents: The mitigation and restoration process would require the use of various chemicals and cleaning agents.

When using chemical and cleaning agents, the use practices, mixing instructions and safety precautions on the product label and MSDS sheet should be followed. 

MSDS sheets for chemicals, cleaning agents and materials should be available at the loss site at all times.

A record of the type, quantity and use location of the chemical and cleaning agent used, should be recorded.

© Copyright 1998-2007 William Yobe

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3.8) Chemical/Paint Storage: Chemicals, cleaning agents, paints and containers such as trigger sprayers and pressure sprayers should be stored in OSHA approved storage vaults and locked at the close of business each day.

3.9) Chemical Application: Occupants and workers should be informed of potentially high VOC's (volatile organic compound) when chemicals or cleaning agents have a VOC rating of 250 g/L or higher. 

When applying chemicals and cleaning agents in occupied properties, every effort should be taken to prevent the infiltration of VOC's from one area of the structure to another area.

Which should include:

    - Closing/sealing off the HVAC system in the
      room(s) chemicals are being applied
    - Post warning signs at all entrances of the
      room(s) that the chemical is being applied
    - Provide the proper ventilation per the  manufacturers’
      label and MSDS Sheets
    - Wear the appropriate respirators and protective
      clothing
    - Removal of persons without protective  equipment and
      clothing from the room(s) where chemicals are being applied

When handling or applying substances, VOC regulations set forth by the EPA should apply.

3.9.a) Ozone: Ozone is a part of our atmospheric system as a layer to protect the earth from ultraviolet rays.  Nature produces ozone through lightning to naturally purify the air we breathe.  Nature has also taught us that large concentrations of ozone can be harmful.  These natural occurrences have resulted in ozone to be used as an air purifier and sanitizer in commercial applications. 

Ozone is a gaseous form known as O₃ and is generated commercially by electrically splitting the oxygen atom O₂ to create a third atom. 

Electrically created ozone molecules are very unstable and very reactive, resulting in ozone molecules to have a half-life.  The half-life theory is based on the humidity, temperature, air make-up and concentration of the contaminates.  Since large concentrations of ozone can be harmful and the concentration levels are measurable, OSHA has set occupational health guidelines for ozone. 

The most crucial guideline per OSHA is the exposure level limit, which states no one should be exposed to more than the Threshold Limit Value of .008 (ppm) in a weighted 8 hour exposure period.  Other governmental agencies have set Threshold Limit Values for ozone exposure as shown in Table 3-A, however, it is recommended that contractors conform to the Threshold Limit Values set-forth by OSHA .

When using ozone during the mitigation or restoration process after a fire or smoke loss, contractors should ventilate the areas ozone generators were used to release possible by-product gases.  This is necessary since ozone could react with VOC’s and produce by-product gases such as; benzene, acetylene, etc. during the ozone process.

Federal mandates described in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR Part 29, and regional safety and health mandates would also apply when utilizing ozone.

When using ozone generators, the manufacturers safety precautions, use practices and setup instruction should apply

The following additional precautions should be followed when using ozone:

    - Persons, animals, plants, rubber products,
      combustible materials and fumes should be
      removed from the area.
    - Warning signs should be posted at all entrances
      of the area(s) being ionized, with the date, time,
      applicators’ name and an emergency 24 hour phone.
    - When ozone is being used in a confined area, HVAC
      ductwork, supply and return should be closed/sealed off
      from the balance of the structure.
    - Doors and entrances should be closed and sealed off
    - Key and lock holes should be sealed off
    - Thresholds should be sealed off.
    - Indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity should
      be checked and recorded before and after the
      ionization process.
    - Ozone should not be used in wet locations or in areas
      where the possibility of pet urine is present to
      avoid the possibility of bleaching
    - Before ozone is considered, all chemicals that were
      used should be cross-referenced for possible ozone
      reaction.  Some chemicals and soot by-products
      will react with ozone and produce harmful gases

3.9.b) Thermo Fogging and Ultra Low Volume Fogger (ULV): 
When using thermo or ULV foggers, the equipment and chemical manufacturers’ guidelines on equipment setting, chemical usage and mixing instructions should be followed.

Occupants should not be exposed to fogging chemicals.  Applicators should wear the appropriate respirator and protective clothing when applying chemicals.

When fogging equipment is being used, the following precautions should apply:

   - Occupants and animals should be removed from the area
   - Warning signs should be posted at all entrances of the area,
     with the date, time, applicator's name and 24 hour
     emergency phone number
   - HVAC systems should be shut-down, and ductwork
     supply and returns should be closed/sealed off
   - Doors and entrances should be closed and sealed off
   - Key and lock holes should be sealed off
   - Thresholds should be sealed off
   - Inform fire department before thermo fogging begins
   - Turn off pilot lights
   - Disconnect smoke alarms.

3.10) OSHA: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the government agency responsible for regulating and enforcing safety and health issues for labor within the construction industry. And contractors should familiarize themselves with OSHA regulations.

3.10.a) Confined Spaces: When performing mitigation and restoration services in confined spaces, workers should conform to the standards and guidelines set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 29 and supplemental publications.

Workers should attend a certified eight-hour course on confined space safety and regulations before attempting to perform work within confined spaces.

3.10.b) Demolition: When performing demolition services, the standards and guidelines set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations, CFR 29 and supplemental publications should apply.

Before the demolition process begins, a designated debris removal route should be predetermined.

When carting non-contaminated debris, the debris should be misted, or the carting contraption should covered to prevent airborne dust. (ref. 6.25, 6.25.a)

3.11) Codes and Permits: When performing mitigation, restoration or reconstruction, local, regional and national codes should apply, and permit should be purchased when required.

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