Disaster preparedness, or ensuring that our communities—including workers, potential volunteers, community members, and day laborers—are fully prepared to handle future disasters, is critical to ensuring the safety and health of our communities.
Background
Since 9/11, an increase in public awareness on toxic substances and the importance of emergency preparedness has placed a greater demand and urgency on some of NYCOSH’s work. NYCOSH played an important role in providing workers, community residents and government agencies with information about the toxic substances which were released as a result of the collapse of the World Trade Center. Additionally, after Superstorm Sandy, NYCOSH issued the first post-Sandy health and safety fact sheets, which were widely circulated and reproduced.
Training
NYCOSH works alongside community organizations, workers’ centers, unions, and consulates to train members on disaster preparedness. NYCOSH’s trainings cover a number of topics, including: types of disasters, disaster response phases, pertinent government agencies and standards, your rights, overview of hazards, and more.
Hazards in Disasters
– Guidelines for Mold Remediation: http://nycosh.orgresource/guidelines-for-mold-remediation-removal/
– Mold Factsheet for Hurricane and Flood Clean-Up Workers: http://nycosh.orgresource/mold-factsheet-for-hurricane-and-flood-cleanup-workers/
– Trabajadores De Limpieza Del Sandy: Informativa Sobre El Moho: http://nycosh.orgresource/trabajadores-de-limpieza-del-sandy-informativa-sobre-el-moho/