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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 * * Goals to Maintain a ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Hurricane Recovery and Response: Promoting Health and Safety


1
Hurricane Recovery and Response Promoting
Health and Safety
  • Diane Z. Weems, MD
  • Chatham County Health Department
  • Dzweems_at_dhr.state.ga.us

2
Goals to Maintain a Productive Workforce
  • Prevent Illness
  • Prevent injury
  • Treat illness and
  • injuries promptly
  • Prevent/recognize
  • fatigue

3
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

4
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

5
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

6
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

7
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

8
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

9
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

10
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

11
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)

12
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

13
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

14
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

15
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

16
Think ahead, plan, and practice!
17
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
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