OSH Information Resources on Disasters

CIS News, January 2005

OSH Information Resources on Disasters

With regard to the recent tsunami in South Asia, the following provides information guidance on occupational safety and health (OSH) issues associated with disasters. It includes material linked to recovery and reconstruction operations such as clean-up, demolition and construction.

ILO OSH resources
- Chapter on Disasters, Natural and Technological, extracted from the ILO Encyclopaedia of Occupational Health and Safety
- References on Natural disasters and disaster relief from the CISDOC bibliographic database
- ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Construction, 1992 (includes guidance on demolition)
- How to prevent accidents on small construction sites, prepared by the ILO Sectoral Activities Programme

Non ILO OSH related resources
- World Health Organization South Asia earthquakes and tsunamis website
- Worker Safety After a Flood: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunamis and General Information on Tsunami-Related Diseases (includes disease information in local languages of the affected regions), prepared by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Warns of Hazards of Flood Cleanup Work and Suggested Guidance for Supervisors at Disaster Rescue Sites (potential hazards and general recommendations are presented).
- Facts sheets on Cleanup Hazards, Flood Cleanup and Protection of Cleanup Workers from Asbestos Hazards prepared by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the US Department of Labour
- Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Emergency Preparedness Resources Directory.
Updated by CD. Approved by EC. Last update: 31.01.2005.