Hurricane Recovery and Response: Promoting Health and Safety

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Hurricane Recovery and Response Promoting
Health and Safety

• Diane Z. Weems, MD
• Chatham County Health Department
• Dzweems_at_dhr.state.ga.us

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Goals to Maintain a Productive Workforce

• Prevent Illness
• Prevent injury
• Treat illness and
• injuries promptly
• Prevent/recognize
• fatigue

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Before the Disaster

• Provide annual information and training
• Provide annual First Aid / CPR training
• Support Personal Preparedness
• Encourage adequate immunization
• Annual influenza
• Up to date tetanus and diphtheria toxoid
• (Primary series and Td booster w/I 10 yrs)
• -Hepatitis B vaccine series for persons who will
  be expected to have contact with bodily fluids

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After the Disaster

• Prevent Illness from FOOD
• Identify and throw away food that may not be safe
  to eat
• -any food in contact with flood/storm water
• -canned foods that are bulging/damaged
• -perishable foods that have been above 40
  degrees for 2 hours or more
• -Cans in contact with floodwater remove
  labels, wash the cans and dip in solution of
  1 c. bleach in 5 gallons water
• Store food safely

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After the Disaster

• Prevent Illness from WATER
• -Listen to and follow public announcements
  regarding safety of tap water
• -Correctly boil or disinfect water
• Hold water at rolling boil for 1 minute OR add
  1/8 teaspoon unscented bleach/gallon of water,
  stir and let stand for 30 minutes OR use
  water-purifying tablets

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After the Disaster

• Assure safety and prevent injuries
• Avoid Electrical Hazards
• Avoid unstable buildings and structures
• Beware of Hazardous materials
• Beware of wild or stray animals
• Clean up and prevent mold growth
• Prevent musculoskeletal
• injuries

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After the Disaster

• Assuring health and safety
• If flooding has occurred, workers with chronic
  respiratory disease or who are immunocompromised
  should not enter until the building is cleaned,
  dry
• and decontaminated

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After the Disaster

• Avoid heat related illnesses
• Take breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms if
  available
• Drink water and nonalcoholic fluids often
• If possible, limit outdoor activities during the
  hottest parts of the day
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting,
• light-colored clothing if possible

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After the Disaster

• Avoid mosquitoes
• Wear long pants, socks and long-sleeved shirts
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET or
  Picaridin
• www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dybid/westnile/RepellentUpda
  tes.htm.
• Drain all standing water left in
• open containers
• Avoid outside work if
• possible during dusk/dawn

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After the Disaster

• Treat Wounds
• Clean all open wounds and cuts with soap and
  clean water
• Keep wounds covered with clean, dry bandages
• Apply antibiotic ointment
• Up to date tetanus vaccination
• Seek further medical attention if redness,
  swelling, pain or drainage develops

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After the Disaster

• Pace yourself and get support avoid/prevent
  fatigue
• Be alert to physical exhaustion, strain, fatigue
• Set priorities for tasks, and set a reasonable
• pace the work take frequent rest breaks
• Work with a partner or in groups avoid working
  alone
• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible
  regular eating and sleeping are crucial
• Try to eat a variety of foods and increase your
  intake of complex carbohydrates (breads, muffins
  made with whole grains, granola bars)

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After the Disaster

• Do something physical such as stretching or
  moving around
• Be aware of caffeine consumption use
  temporarily to increase alertness, do NOT use if
  already alert or before sleeping/resting
• Engage in active conversation with others

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After the Disaster

• Practice good health habits environment and
  existing factors likely to reduce immune function
  and open the door to illness
• Practice Good Handwashing (alcohol-based
  products are satisfactory if clean water not
  available are limited in supply) and respiratory
  etiquette
• For those with chronic diseases, be sure to
  continue to take all chronic medications as
  prescribed and monitor as appropriate

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Respiratory Etiquette

• To help stop the spread of germs,
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you
  cough or sneeze.
• If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into
  your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.
• Clean your hands after coughing or sneezing
• Wash with soap and water.or
• Clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner

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After the Disaster

• Help workers navigate personal issues and loss
• Support employees access to mental health
  counseling
• Know the community resources available
• American Red Cross, United Way and its
  agencies, Public Health and other community
  agencies

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Think ahead, plan, and practice!
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References

• American Red Cross http//www.redcross.org/servi
  ces/disaster
• US Department of Homeland Security
  http//www.ready.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  http//www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes
• Department of Health and Human Services
  http//www.dmh.mo.gov/diroffice/disaster/documents
  /EmergencyResponseWorkersCopingFacts.pdf