Facility managers are urged to take proactive steps in protecting lives, property, and operations from costly hurricane and weather impact.

With hurricane season underway and the National Weather Service forecasting above-normal activity in the Atlantic basin, the risk of damaging winds, storm surge, and flooding has increased for many regions nationwide.—especially for those located inland, coastal, and southwestern hurricane-prone areas.

“The best defense against hurricane damage is early preparation,” said Josh Miller,  president at Rainbow Restoration, a Neighborly® company. “Whether you’re protecting your home or your business, being prepared can reduce major losses, keep your loved ones and employees safe, and speed up recovery.”

Rainbow Restoration offered these hurricane preparedness tips:

1. Understand Your Flood Risk and Local Evacuation Routes­—Evaluate flood zones near your facility and communicate evacuation procedures among employees. Post maps of safe routes in common areas and provide regular safety briefings and emergency training to all staff.
2. Reinforce and Secure Your Property—Prepare your building by securing signage, awnings, and loose outdoor equipment. Reinforce vulnerable access points with hurricane-rated features where possible. Back up digital files, elevate valuable inventory and equipment, and photograph key assets to simplify post-storm insurance claims. Review your policy in advance to ensure you understand your coverage.
3. Build an Emergency Kit and Communication Plan—Prepare a disaster supply kit with food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, chargers, and personal hygiene items to last at least 72 hours. Keep kits in an easily accessible place in case of sudden evacuation. Create a communication plan that includes how to get in touch if separated, where to meet, and what to do in different scenarios. Create an Emergency Preparedness Plan and practice throughout the year.  Make sure everyone has key contact numbers memorized or saved.
4. Monitor Alerts and Act Promptly—Recognize emergency alerts during a storm. Know the difference between a hurricane watch (possible within 48 hours) and a hurricane warning (expected within 36 hours). Sign up for local emergency alerts and stay informed via the National Weather Service. Once the alerts go out, activate your Emergency Preparedness Plan.

Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., a Massachusetts-based environmental and hazardous waste management service provider, suffered a worker fatality due to failure to ventilate a confined space containing organic chemical residue, according to a U.S. Department of Labor investigation.

The incident took place at customer’s facility in Twinsburg, Ohio, at which the Labor department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined the employer failed to implement legally mandated, permit-required space entry requirements. Specifically, OSHA found that the employer failed to ventilate, test the environment, and use non-entry rescue equipment, including a tripod, mechanical winch, and full-body retrieval harness.

OSHA cited Clean Harbors Environmental Services for US$602,938 in penalties.

Visit OSHA’s website for information about confined space entry safety requirements, and contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources.