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

Earthquakes
Floods
Heat
- Occupational Heat Exposure
- Heat Illness Campaign
Hurricanes
Lightning Safety
Tornadoes
Wildfires
Winter Weather

Emergency Events

COVID-19

A new coronavirus—similar but not identical to the viruses that cause Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome—has emerged from China, and is causing human cases of pneumonia-like illnesses in several countries. Without sustained human-to-human transmission, most American workers are not at significant risk of infection. However, workers involved in airline operations (including cabin crewmembers), healthcare (including clinical laboratory personnel), and border protection may have exposure to travelers infected with the virus in China or other affected areas. OSHA's COVID-19 webpage provides information for workers and employers about the evolving outbreak and ways to protect workers on the job.

COVID-19 Page

Hurricane Harvey

Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25, 2017, as a Category 4 storm near Rockport, Texas, bringing catastrophic flooding to the Gulf Coast. OSHA staff in Region 6, on the ground in areas from Texas to Louisiana and in the National Office are working to protect response and recovery workers from a variety of safety and health hazards associated with hurricane and flood cleanup and recovery.

Hurricane Page

Hurricane Irma

OSHA is prepared to protect response and recovery workers in areas impacted by Hurricane Irma, including in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and southeastern states. OSHA's Emergency Preparedness and Response web pages for hurricanes and floods provide information for staying healthy and safe during storm response and recovery operations.

Hurricane Page

Zika - Photo Credit: Cynthia Goldsmith/CDC

Zika Virus

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) are monitoring the Zika virus outbreak spreading through Central and South America, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean, including U.S. territories. This interim guidance provides employers and workers with information and guidance on preventing occupational exposure to the Zika virus.

Zika Virus Page

Washington Mudslide

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2014, a major landslide occurred 4 miles east of Oso, Wash. (and 17 miles east of Arlington, Wash.), in OSHA Region X when a portion of a hillside collapsed. Mud and debris from engulfed residential sites slid across the North Fork area of the Stillaguamish River in Snohomish County.

The area where the mudslide occurred experienced up to 200 percent normal rainfall during the previous 45 days. Nearby Arlington, Washington reported 7.33 inches of rain that month, almost double the average for March and the area's fourth-wettest March on record.

Washington Mudslide

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