“Aftermath of Katrina, Returning to a Workplace”

The Aftermath of Katrina was a catastrophic event that left several states faced with several challenges. I am industrial Hygienist given a task to re-establish basic medical needs in New Orleans Hospital. I have been given a team consisting of: a Safety Supervisor (Programs and training), an Environmental Manager (Physical plant, wastes and regulatory issues), 2 technicians (versed in IH and environmental sample and collecting and testing) and the IC. First, I will advise the IC to contact all necessary people to get additional resources rolling our way to assist in our recovery effort (American Red Cross, National Guard, electrical, and the water company). I will use the 3 elements to perform safe entry, safe clean up procedures, and hazard assessment by recognition, evaluation, and control. Anticipating and recognizing the need for “assuring access to fresh water and restoring safe sewage handling is an immediate public health need (Lister pg1)”. Power line damages and power outages increase the risk of hazards. My concern would be to prevent or control the spread of infectious diseases. I would make sure the team and all patients who entered the hospital would perform proper hand-washing techniques. I would advise my team to be careful with the water on the first floor. Many floods bring out snakes, other creatures and animals, and even insects that can be a hazard. I would order a team of two to go in and do a quick survey of the second floor to assess the damages. “The walk thru survey is an opportunity to observe the process, tools, equipment, and potential hazards (Nims pg 261)”. As the industrial Hygienist, I will “educate, train, inform, and advise the team at all levels, in all aspects of hazard communication (Nims pg 9)”. In considering what PPE to use I would consult my environmental manager to consider what possible airborne contaminants, blood exposure, chemical exposure, and biohazards are in the hospital. In reviewing the possible hazards, I would place my team in a chemical protective suit with SCBA, watertight boots, and cut resistant gloves to eliminate any concerns. I will make sure that also know the limitations and capabilities of their PPE. I will send the team with a radio, gas meter, and sampling equipment. Radio is to keep an open line of communication in case of an emergency or the team wants to relay pertinent information. Gas meters are “units that are relatively small and portable, most weighing less than two pounds, and many of the newer weighing in at just a few ounces. They contain a small pump that draws air into the instrument, where it passes into a sampling chamber, containing a sensor unit, which is connected to a read out device (Nims pg 132).” The sampling equipment will be used to gather samples in air quality, mold, bacteria, or any concerns the team might see as a possible health hazard. I would assign each team member with a task. First team to evaluate the hazards and take samples if needed, and the other to check what is available and in working condition in regards to equipment and make an inventory. Once the survey is performed I will evaluate the findings including any samples the team gathered and start the safe clean up procedures if it is safe to continue. We can assess any safety concern that can cause acute or chronic health effects to the team by eliminating or blocking that particular area off to limit safety concerns. I will assign one team of two to start the clean-up measure by carefully picking up debris and placing in hazardous containers with lids being careful of sharp objects. Removing and discarding of any nonworking equipment to make space. Once it is clean and organized, I would have the team completely disinfecting floors counters, beds, desks, and any working equipment available. The other team will be assigned to carry and gather as much working equipment available and block in any areas that pose a threat such as unstable areas. I will make sure the team take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water to avoid exhaustion and dehydration. I will make sure we have plenty of insect spray since settling water brings mosquitos. Once clean-up is complete we can establish a triage. Make individual rooms as need for the most critical and call if transport to another facility is needed by helicopter. Once an individual is identified in the surrounding population with a disease, it is imperative that those individuals be removed and separated from the crowd to prevent further spread. Develop an exit strategy in case of violent patients or riots occur. We can establish a waiting room to limit the amount of people wandering around the hospital. Control of the Hazard is sometimes the most challenging task. There are engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE. “The best known type of administrative control is work rotation (Nims pg 14)” it limits exposure or exhaustion by the workers. Keeping a record of the duties performed by the team is essential. It is regulated and can provide a valuable source of information for work place hazards. A staffing pattern to prevent personnel from working alone can be designed. We can implement a card or number assignment to all individuals entering to control and restrict movement in hospital. We can also develop a system for alerting security personnel when violence is threatened or their assistance is needed.