Conditions in the Gulf Coast are changing
constantly. There are many safety issues following the
hurricanes, including mold, possible toxins in the homes and
ground, debris throughout the city, and the lack of usual
medical care and police protection.
Some things to keep in mind:
General
Be aware of your surroundings.
Know where you are. In case of emergency, 911 emergency services
are working in most areas but you will need to identify to the
operator exactly where you are, especially if calling from a
cell phone.
Don’t wander into unknown areas. There are many areas that have
been deemed to be dangerous to enter. Stick with your group.
Carry ID with you and have phone numbers to local contacts at
all times.
Your cell phone may not always work. We will provide you with
landline numbers where you can be contacted in case of an
emergency.
Trip and fall hazards. Before you walk in a new area, use your
eyes to look for potential trip and fall hazards. Either go
around the hazards (use another path) or remove the hazard.
Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster
is cut feet.
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes, that may
have come into buildings with the floodwaters. Use a stick to
poke through debris. Floodwaters flush snakes and many animals
out of their homes. Use bug spray as well, and watch for fire
ants, wasps, bees, and spiders.
Transportation
Be careful where you are driving as there is a tremendous
amount of hazardous debris in the city and on the roads.
If you are driving be aware that many traffic signals are not
working and there are not always stop signs. Approach every
intersection with caution.
Many streets are still impassable, many streets are cordoned
off, and there is a great deal of heavy equipment moving around
in the city.
Health and sanitation
Bring bottled water with you to the work site each day. Do not
drink water from any of the homes you are working in unless the
owner tells you it is safe for drinking.
Drink lots of water and wear hats. Summers on the Gulf Coast
are very hot and humid. Take salt pills if necessary. Avoid
caffeinated beverages. Take plenty of breaks and rest in shade.
Wash your hands before eating.
Avoid contact with standing “dark” water.
There are limited
medical facilities available but there are
emergency treatment centers in case of accident or illness.
Make sure that your trip leader is aware of any medical
conditions/issues that you may have.
Work sites
You will be working around hazards such as mold. Wear proper
protective equipment and wash off with soap and water as soon as
possible after working.
Don’t step on old boards as there could be nails that you
can’t see.
Handle any contaminated materials with either rubber gloves or
heavy work gloves.
Bag up or throw away your work clothes before going home. Your
work clothes will be full of mold spores.
Check with your team leader or member of the church before
trying anything that could potentially be dangerous.
Be aware that you may encounter buildings that are
structurally sound but may have hazards such as falling
material, like boards or sheet rock.
Watch for loose plaster, drywall, and ceilings that could
fall.
Chainsaws are one of the most dangerous power tools used
during cleanup. Always wear proper safety equipment, learn to
safely operate the saw, and keep it in good working condition.
When entering buildings, use extreme caution. Watch carefully
every step you take, looking for loose wires and exposed nails,
among other dangers.
Wear protection around mold. Many kinds of fungi, including
mildew and molds, flourish following flooding. Inhaling molds
from building materials, decaying vegetation, waste material,
and other fungus-contaminated debris can cause sickness in
cleanup workers.
If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a
window and quickly leave the building. Alert your team leader
and/or site manager.
Be suspicious of power lines. Always assume they are
energized. Avoid all containers. Let the owner handle these. Use
your eyes to look for loose wiring. If you are not a trained
electrician, do not touch exposed wiring or electrical
equipment.
If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell
burning insulation, alert your team leader and/or site manager.
Check for sewage and waterline damage. If you suspect sewage
lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and tell the owner.
