The weather is on everyone’s mind. The news is filled with global warming and high heat and lack of rain. These have a dramatic impact on people across the country. Not only do farmer and ranchers have to find ways to water their crops and animals but rivers dry up and wildlife are left to find places to search for ways to stay cool and hydrated. Water is a huge part of how society sustains itself. But water can also be a force of destruction.
The weather is on everyone’s mind. The news is filled with global warming and high heat and lack of rain. These have a dramatic impact on people across the country. Not only do farmer and ranchers have to find ways to water their crops and animals but rivers dry up and wildlife are left to find places to search for ways to stay cool and hydrated. Water is a huge part of how society sustains itself. But water can also be a force of destruction.
Water is unique in that it will destroy and deteriorate most things in its path. Water can tear down buildings and water can grow a crop of corn. Water can fill a pond for a herd of cattle and it can cause flooding on a massive scale. Structures soaked in water are safety hazards, not just because they can become unstable, but also because if they are left un-treated then they become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Insulation also absorbs water, and since insulation is often found close to electrical systems it can cause electrical arcs destroying equipment that touches the water level.
Now, when it is so dry and the river beds are nearly empty, people can become complacent. But all it takes is one flash flood, one short burst of heavy rain to cause the river beds to flood and then, as if in a blink the same water that was prayed had now destroyed home, businesses and hospitals. When a river, lake or any outside water floods a building it is called a Category 3 water loss. There are 3 different categories of water loss and 3 is the worse. Outside water isn’t the only water that is classified at Category 3, sewage back-up is also a Category 3 water loss. Category 3 water loss is really dirty water. It is water that carries many particulates and bacteria.
When Category 3 water touches anything it has to be thrown out, or professionally cleaned. Each affected area, room, and surface must be surveyed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist to determine what has been contaminated and what hasn’t. The CIH will also write a protocol for how to begin cleaning the environment after a water loss that carries that serious of a health hazard. He will work directly with a remediation company to properly remove any compromised material, clean up the facility and rebuild and structures that required replacing.
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Occupational Health Overcomes Everyday Hazards
Many workers face different types of hazards on a daily basis. Each company has a responsibility to proactively protect their employees from hazards encountered in the workplace. Accidents or injuries can bring production to a halt, reduce the workforce while the employee is recovering and lead to costly worker compensation claims. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can help your company improve the Occupational Health present at your facility.
The Risk from Asbestos
Asbestos poses a major health risk in many office buildings and homes due to the wide adoption and usage of asbestos as an insulator in the construction process. Asbestos can be found in the glue beneath vinyl flooring or in material applied to concrete to regulate the temperature between floors in an office building. These buildings and homes are being remodeled and modernized as an update to the space, but the demolition process can be hazardous if asbestos is present. Test for asbestos prior to starting your next remodeling project to ensure workers are safe.
Communicating the Dangers with HazCom
Hazard Communication focuses on explaining the dangers present at the workplace. The employees have a right to understand the hazards present and how to remain safe on the jobsite. A Certified Industrial Hygienist can work with your company to fulfill the HazCom requirement set forth by OSHA.
