Floodwater Risk -- Protect Yourself!

• Floodwaters can cause serious harm to your health and safety. The best way to protect yourself is to stay out of the water.
• Exposure to contaminated floodwater can cause wound infections, skin rashes, gastrointestinal illness, tetanus and many other injuries and illnesses.

• If you come in to contact with floodwater, make sure to wash your hands with soap and water.
• Wash any clothes contaminated in hot water with detergent before wearing them again.

Health and Safety Risks when Dealing with Floodwater

Sharp Debris
Exposure: Cuts from nails, screws, glass, and/or metal pieces. This will not only cause injury, but also exposure to infections through the open wound.
Protection: Wear heavy duty long clothing and thick shoes if you must go through water. Otherwise stay away.

Structural Damage
Exposure: Serious injuries from the collapsing of buildings and homes.
Protection: Stay away from any homes or buildings with severe structural damage.

Electrical Damage
Exposure: Electrical shock from fallen power lines.
Protection: If you see power lines down, be sure to report them to local electric company. If for any reason you must enter water, make sure all power in area has been shut off.

Open wounds
Exposure: Open wounds exposed to harmful substances in the water.
Protection: If you must enter the water ensure wounds are properly protected before entering. Otherwise avoid going into the water. Seek medical attention if there is a foreign object embedded in the wound.

Toxic Chemicals and Substance
Exposure: Exposure to gas, oil, pesticides and other chemicals and substances.
Symptoms that could occur if affected: muscle twitches, difficulty breathing, headaches, diarrhea, skin rashes, and/or disorientation.
Protection: Avoid areas that you know, or suspect are contaminated with chemicals. Practice good personal hygiene practices.

Fecal Matter Contamination
Exposure: Exposed to sewage waste, organic waste, and animal feces.
Symptoms that could occur if affected: Vomiting, Nausea, Diarrhea, and Gastroenteritis. Protection: Wear protective gear. If you know certain areas are affected by sewage, stay out of the flood water. Seek medical attention if a wound becomes contaminated with feces to determine if you need a tetanus booster.

Insects and Animals
Exposure to bugs that carry harmful diseases and wild animals such as snakes, alligators, or raccoons that pose a threat to personal safety.
Protection: Look out for animals and do your best to stay away. 

If you do end up working in flood water, here are some safety hygiene tips from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/floods/floodsafety.html 

Submitted by: Kate Connell, Loss Control Representative