How to Respond In Disaster Situations
When faced with a disaster, you need to act fast to protect yourself and your loved ones. It is best to prepare for common disaster scenarios like floods, hurricanes, and wildfires before they happen so you can quickly take the correct action and get yourself to safety. Disasters often involve hazards like downed power lines, carbon monoxide poisoning, exposures during flood and mold cleanup, and the risk of structural collapse, which can have serious or fatal health effects.
In the below ‘Resources by Type’ you will find support documents, websites, and other resources to improve your disaster preparedness and emergency management.
Resources by Type
Support Documents
- Cultural Heritage Emergency Preparedness and Response: Guidelines for the OEHS Professional (AIHA White Paper)
- Guidance to Protect Volunteers From COVID-19 During Natural Disaster Response and Recovery (AIHA Guidance Document)
- Health and Safety Issues in Natural Disasters (AIHA Guidance Document)
Websites
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Resources
- Hurricane Preparedness and Response
- Flood Preparedness and Response
- Department of Labor Hurricane Recovery Assistance
- Fact Sheet: Keeping Workers Safe during Hurricane Cleanup and Recovery (PDF)
- Quick Card: Protecting Workers from Heat Stress (PDF)
- Fact Sheet: Disaster Cleanup and Recovery PPE Matrix (PDF)
- Fact Sheet: Mold Hazards during Disaster Cleanup
- List of worker safety and health resources for hurricane flood cleanup and recovery (PDF)
Other Resources
- Common Responses to Traumatic Events
- Dealing With Natural Disasters
- Emergency Responder Health Monitoring and Surveillance™ (NIOSH)
- FEMA: When Disasters Strike
- The NIEHS Worker Training Program (WTP)
- Tips for Hiring a Contractor After a Natural Disaster
- Disaster preparedness guide for seniors and caregivers