OSHA Fact Sheet: Hurricane Sandy Cleanup PPE Matrix

Workers engaged in hurricane cleanup and recovery activities may be exposed to a variety of hazards. A comprehensive list of potential hazards and controls, sorted by common tasks, can be found in OSHA’s Hurricane eMatrix. Specialized operations, such as electrical power restoration, hazardous materials response, or confined space entry require controls specified in the applicable OSHA standards.

• Designing a way around a hazard is always the preferred control method. For example, installing a guardrail to prevent a fall from occurring is better than relying on a safety harness and lanyard to catch the worker after a fall occurs. However, in many cases personal protective equipment (PPE) may be the only practical control method. All PPE has limitations and is the control method of last resort.
• The suggested PPE Matrix is provided to assist employers in determining the PPE needed for a specific task. Respiratory protection is addressed below the matrix.

Respiratory Protection: The employer must assess site-specific conditions for potential respiratory contaminants and protection.

• In many cases, N-95 filtering facepiece respirators may be adequate for dust or other particulates.
• Where mold is known to be or potentially may be present, use an approved respirator. See the OSHA fact sheet on Mold Hazards during Hurricane Sandy Cleanup (OSHA FS-3619) for further guidance.
• Where asbestos is known to be or potentially may be present and disturbed, higher levels of protection are required (e.g., P100 particulate filter respirator). ° In addition, the requirements of OSHA’s Asbestos standard, 29 CFR 1910.1001, also need to be followed.
• Where chemical contaminants are present, such as organic chemicals, different cartridges or filters are required depending on the chemical.
• Common respirators do not protect workers from carbon monoxide (CO), which is present in the exhaust from generators and other internal combustion engines.
• Respirator selection and use is regulated due to the potential risk to workers.
  • Employers who provide N-95 filtering facepiece respirators for voluntary use by their employees need to provide their workers with Appendix D of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, 29 CFR 1910.134. Appendix D provides precautions that workers should take to ensure that the respirator does not present a hazard.
  • Where employers mandate the use of respirators, additional requirements of the Standard apply, including fit testing and medical evaluation.
• Training regarding the limitations of respirators, proper fitting, when they should be replaced, and medical considerations for the user is essential.

Sanitation and Hygiene: In addition to PPE, proper sanitation and hygiene are essential for minimizing the spread of contaminants and disease. Handwashing is a critical component of good hygiene. In the absence of suitable facilities, workers should be provided with hand sanitizer.

• It is essential that employers assess each site and operation individually to determine the actual or potential hazards based on sitespecific conditions. Employees must always be trained to recognize hazards and take necessary precautions.
• Workers relying on PPE must be trained to recognize these limitations, as well as the safe ways to put on and remove PPE, properly store it, take care of it, and when it’s time to replace it.

Additional guidance, Fact Sheets, and other information can be found on OSHA’s Hurricane Sandy webpage. Another source of information is the resource webpage maintained by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS).

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U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA (6742)