Loss Control Flood Cleanup

Flooding can cause the disruption of water purification and sewage disposal systems, overflowing of toxic waste sites and dislodgement of chemicals previously stored above ground. Although most floods do not cause serious outbreaks of infectious disease or chemical poisonings, they can cause sickness in workers and others who are exposed to contaminated floodwater. In addition, flooded areas may contain electrical or fire hazards connected with downed power lines.

Floodwater often contains infectious organisms, including intestinal bacteria such as Salmonella, Shigella, Hepatitis A virus and agents of Typhoid, Paratyphoid and Tetanus. The signs and symptoms experienced by the victims of waterborne microorganisms are similar, even though they are caused by different pathogens. These symptoms include:

Ingesting contaminated food or water brings about most cases of sickness associated with flood conditions. Tetanus, however, can be acquired from contaminated soil or water entering broken areas of the skin, such as cuts, abrasions, or puncture wounds. Tetanus is an infectious disease that affects the nervous system and causes severe muscle spasms, known as lockjaw. The symptoms may appear weeks after exposure and may begin as a headache, but may later develop into difficulty swallowing and difficulty opening the jaw. Floodwaters also may be contaminated by agricultural or industrial chemicals or by hazardous agents present at flooded hazardous waste sites. Flood cleanup crew members that must work near flooded industrial sites also may be exposed to chemically contaminated floodwater. Although different chemicals cause different health effects, the signs and symptoms most frequently associated with chemical poisoning are:

Pools of standing or stagnant water become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, increasing the risk of encephalitis, West Nile Virus or other mosquito-borne diseases. The presence of wild animals in populated areas increases the risk of diseases caused by animal bites as well as diseases carried by fleas and ticks.

Protect Yourself:

After a major flood, it is often difficult to maintain good hygiene during cleanup operations. To avoid waterborne disease, it is important to wash your hands with soap and clean, running water, especially before work breaks, meal breaks, and at the end of the work shift. Workers should assume that any water in flooded or surrounding areas is not safe unless the local or state authorities have specifically declared it safe. If no safe water supply is available for washing, use bottled water, water that has been boiled for at least 10 minutes or chemically disinfected water. (To disinfect water, use 5 drops of liquid household bleach to each gallon of water and let sit for at least 30 minutes for disinfections to be completed.). Water storage containers should be rinsed periodically with a household bleach solution. If water is suspected of being contaminated with hazardous chemicals, cleanup workers may need to wear special chemical protective outer clothing and goggles. Before entering a contaminated area that has been flooded, you should don plastic or rubber gloves, boots and other protective clothing needed to avoid contact with floodwater. Decrease the risk of mosquito and other insect bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and by using insect repellants. Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating foods, after using the bathroom, after participating in flood cleanup activities, and after handling articles contaminated by flood waters. In addition, children should not be allowed to play in flood waters or with toys that have been in contact with flood waters. Toys should be disinfected.

If a cleanup worker experiences any of the signs or symptoms listed above, appropriate first-aid treatment and medical advice should be sought. If the skin is broken, particularly with a puncture wound or a wound in contact with potentially contaminated material, tetanus vaccination may be needed if it has been five years or more since the individual’s last tetanus shot.

Tips to Remember:

Before working in flooded areas, be sure your tetanus shot is current (given within the last 10 years). Wounds that are associated with a flood should be evaluated for risk; a physician may recommend a tetanus immunization.
Consider all water unsafe until local authorities announce that the public water supply is safe.
Do not use contaminated water to wash and prepare food, brush your teeth, wash dishes or make ice.
Keep an adequate supply of safe water available for washing and potable water for drinking.
Be alert for chemically contaminated floodwater at industrial sites.
Use extreme caution with potential chemical and electric hazards, which have great potential for fires and explosions. Floods have the strength to move and/or bury hazardous waste and chemical containers far from their normal storage places, creating a risk for those who are exposed to them. The fire department or police should handle any chemical hazards, such as a propane tank.
If the safety of a food or beverage is questionable, throw it out.
Seek immediate medical care for all animal bites.