Emergency Preparedness and Response

Emergencies can create a variety of hazards for workers in the impacted area. Preparing before an emergency incident plays a vital role in ensuring that employers and workers have the necessary equipment, know where to go, and know how to keep themselves safe when an emergency occurs. These Emergency Preparedness and Response pages provide information on how to prepare and train for emergencies and the hazards to be aware of when an emergency occurs. The pages provide information for employers and workers across industries, and for workers who will be responding to the emergency.

General Preparedness and Response

Natural Disasters and Weather

An emergency kit. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family. Visit ready.gov/plan

National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month. This year’s campaign theme is “Preparing for Older Adults” and will focus on preparing older adults for disaster, specifically older adults from communities that are disproportionally impacted by all-hazard events, which continue to threaten the nation. More information on the campaign can be found on FEMA’s Ready.gov National Preparedness Month website. OSHA is committed to the safety and health of all workers.

Ready.gov

Hurricane Harvey - Photo Credit: DHS/FEMA

Hurricane Response

OSHA is prepared to protect response and recover workers in areas impacted by hurricanes. These areas include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and states along the Eastern Seaboard and the Gulf Coast. OSHA staff in any affected Region will work in support of the federal response to protect response and recovery workers from a variety of safety and health hazards associated with hurricane and flood cleanup and recovery.

Hurricane Page

Floods

Floods can be serious catastrophes, and they are one of the most common hazards in the United States. Floods can be caused by a variety of factors, including a sudden accumulation of rain, rising rivers, tidal surges, ice jams and dam failures. Workers who have to respond to flooded areas face the greatest risks from floods, but all workers can help protect themselves by preparing evacuation plans and learning about the hazards commonly associated with floods.

Flood Preparedness and Response

OSHA's Wildfire Page

OSHA's Wildfire page provides information on evacuation plans, safety zones around buildings, and equipment to have on hand in case a wildfire occurs. Preparing plans in advance can help workers get to safety before a wildfire impacts an area and can also help protect personal property. It also details hazards that may be present in areas affected by wildfires. These include safety hazards, such as unstable structures; heavy equipment and slips, trips, and falls, as well as health hazards such as heat stress, hazardous materials, carbon monoxide and other respiratory hazards.

Wildfire Page

OSHA's Heat Injury Campaign

Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in extreme heat or humid conditions. There are a range of heat illnesses and they can affect anyone, regardless of age or physical condition.

Heat Injury Campaign

Oil Spills

Oil spill cleanup workers can face potential hazards from oil byproducts, dispersants, detergents and degreasers. Drowning, heat illness and falls also pose hazards, as can encounters with insects, snakes and other wild species native to the impacted areas. In these situations, OSHA goals include ensuring that workers receive appropriate training and protective equipment.

Oil Spills

‹ ›