How Workers Stay Safe When Responding to a Flood

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Responders will wear safety gear

Ways A First Responder Can Stay Safe

Floods are a catastrophe that can happen in Yelm, WA. They can be caused by excessive rain, tidal surges, ice storms, and dam problems. The workers that respond to these situations must be able to keep themselves. Here are some ways that a first responder can stay safe and how their employers protect them.

Safety Practices
While a first responder faces great risks, remediation companies, rescue squads, or other services that employ them will have established safety practices for them to follow. To prepare, the workers will learn their company's safety plans. This includes:

• Evacuation plans
• Emergency kit locations
• Behaving in floods
• Plan of action

Additionally, these employees are thoroughly trained in what hazards they should avoid when near floodwaters. For instance, they know to avoid driving vehicles through standing water, entering water that may have a current, touching mold with bare hands, and helping wild animals. Responders will also take preventative measures to ensure their safety, including getting appropriate vaccines and wearing safety gear.

Employer Responsibilities
Each company with a flood response team is required to take measures to protect its workers' safety. This means employers are required to offer each first responder training, appropriate safety gear, and adequate plans for different emergencies. Additionally, employers will likely be responsible for ensuring that workers have the necessary vaccines and follow directions while on the job. This also means that companies do not send their employees into unsafe conditions unless they can safely perform the necessary tasks, such as cleanup and evacuation jobs.
There are many ways that rescue and cleanup professionals can stay safe when dealing with emergencies. For instance, employees can take certain measures, such as getting necessary immunizations and learning their company policies, before entering a hazardous area. Additionally, employers have certain responsibilities they must perform to ensure their employees' safety, such as offering training and safety gear.