In the Spotlight: ASSE Offers Post-Disaster Safety Checklist for Businesses

Following a disaster, all businesses should do a hazard evaluation and assessment performed by an occupational safety professional, and it would include the following:

• Safe Entry: Contact the proper government agencies to get approval to resume occupancy of the building. Do not enter a facility or building unless the proper clearances have been obtained.
• Structural Security: Have the structural integrity of the building or facility validated by qualified professionals before anyone enters the facility.
• Power Checks: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water and sewer usage.
• Use Existing Federal Guidelines: Utilize existing start-up guidance materials provided by government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for business resumption following a disaster. However, the American Society of Safety Engi-neers (“ASSE”) offers this disaster safety checklist to assist businesses before, during and after a disaster, such as Hurricane Katrina.

Following a disaster, all businesses should do a hazard evaluation and assessment performed by an occupational safety professional, and it would include the following:

• Safe Entry: Contact the proper government agencies to get approval to resume occupancy of the building. Do not enter a facility or building unless the proper clearances have been obtained.
• Structural Security: Have the structural integrity of the building or facility validated by qualified professionals before anyone enters the facility.
• Power Checks: If there is no access to electricity on the site, do not use fueled generators or heaters indoors. Ensure that there are no gas and sewer leaks in your facility. You will need to check with your local utilities for information regarding power, gas, water and sewer usage.
• Use Existing Federal Guidelines: Utilize existing start-up guidance materials provided by government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.