TOSHA aids in tornado relief effort

Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration teams worked with clean-up crews and private citizens across the state on February 8 urging job safety during the recovery process after the tornadoes on February 5.

Ten teams of TOSHA staff travelled into the counties affected by the storms to provide assistance and distribute safety and health items and guidelines. The teams went to Memphis, Jackson, Castalian Springs, Fairview/Pinewood, Macon County, and Trousdale County. The safety information covered such topics as generator safety/ carbon monoxide exposure, chain saw safety, demolition, work zone safety, tree trimming, and portable ladder safety. They handed out personal protection equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)-approved dust masks to contractors and homeowners to help with safety or health issues that could arise. 

“Governor Bredesen has pledged the full resources of the state to help people rebuild their lives,” said Commissioner James Neeley. “The recovery effort after these massive tornadoes can be very dangerous, and the work of our TOSHA division to educate the public on safety issues is key to aiding those efforts and preventing additional injuries or deaths.”

TOSHA sent volunteers to assist Federal OSHA with restoration after the 9/11 World Trade Center collapse and also to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. They worked with crews to assure job safety and evaluate safety concerns.

“TEMA has already reported one fatality due to carbon monoxide exposure when a storm survivor took a generator into his damaged home for power,” said TOSHA Administrator John Winkler.  “We are trying to reach out and inform the public about the dangers that can arise in these situations and prevent any further deaths from occurring.”

Carbon monoxide is one of the most common industrial hazards. Mild exposure can cause such symptoms as nausea, dizziness or headaches while severe poisoning can result in brain or heart damage or even death. The poisonous gas is produced by the incomplete burning of any material containing carbon, such as gasoline, natural gas, oil, kerosene, propane, charcoal, or wood.