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January 30, 2009
Little
Rock - As temperatures moderate and life slowly returns to normal in north Arkansas following this week’s ice storm, both workers involved in the clean-up and residents returning to their homes and work-places should continue to exercise care to avoid injuries, according to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH).
Dr. William Mason, Incident Commander for the Arkansas Department of Health Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Little Rock, says the recovery phase can be the most dangerous part of any disaster.
Dangers to both recovery workers and residents run the gamut from roads that remain icy in spots to downed electrical lines to the possibility of injuries resulting from cutting and removing fallen trees and limbs.
In all cases, the process of restoring electrical power should be carried out by qualified electricians. All power lines should be regarded as ”hot,” Dr. Mason said, and tests should be conducted to determine if there is either high voltage or low voltage in the lines. He added that personal protective equipment such as approved gloves and sleeves should be worn when repairing power lines.
Using chain saws to remove trees that have fallen or broken under the weight of ice also poses the significant possibility of injury. Each year more than 36,000 people are treated for injuries from using chain saws.
Safeguards against injury while using a chain saw include:
- Operating the saw according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Properly sharpening and lubricating the blades.
- Using the proper size saw for the job.
- Wearing appropriate protective equipment.
- Avoiding contact with power lines.
- Cutting at waist level or below.
- Tasking care to avoid “spring poles”: trees or branches bent, twisted, hung up on, or caught under another object.
- Keeping bystanders or coworkers a safe distance away.
For more information on protecting you and your family, click on www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters.
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