Damage or Disaster scenes can be a minefield of safety problems. While normally understood procedures for risk & hazard assessment can be used , it should be understood that in many situations there are unknown or hidden hazards which therefore cannot be assessed. Often there may be a combined or multiple hazard which can be created from normally benign or safe components. The mixture of household chemicals can for example produce toxic gases or vapours. Usually safe materials such as asbestos can become friable or damaged to such an extent that they become friable & inhaleable. It is for these reasons special care must be exercised when inspecting a damage scene. Remember your five senses, coupled to experience or knowledge may be required when making initial inspection & continual monitoring may be required as situations may develop from ongoing works or damage.

Personal Safety;
When faced with a damage scene, the personal well being or health of the individual must be of paramount importance. Homeowners should be aware of simple personal protective measures such as respiratory protection & be aware of ingestion & abrasion hazards of biological elements such as bacteria or viral infection. Cuts, grazes can be routes of infection, smoking or eating without washing hands can result in stomach upsets. Where buildings have been wet for a number of days mould may proliferate & may cause allergic reactions.

Simple protection such as rubber gloves & a filter mask are minimum requirements.

Advice.
Following personal assessments & equipped with relevant PPE.

Typical Homeowner health & safety assessments.

· Falling debris.
· Cuts & Abrasions Needlestick or sharp objects. e.g.carpet gripper, glass.
· Slip, trip or fall.
· Electric Shock
· Gas leaks.
· Biological contamination from floods.
· Damaged asbestos. See asbestos
· Soot inhalation, ( toxic dust)
· Structural Collapse
· Working alone

Commercial health & safety assessments.
These would follow similar guidelines but may include other areas such as;

· Asbestos log or management records
· Radiation hazards from monitoring equipment e.g. fire detection equipment.
· Machinery, equipment under load or pressure.
· Written risk & hazard assessments.
· CDM , Construction Design Management compliance.
· Site toolbox talks to convey information.
· Dynamic or rolling risk assessments.
· Ventilation system assessment for spread of contaminants.
· Secondary effects from damage or spread.
· Collapse of structure or components.
· Site Controls
· Identification of competent contractors
· Compliance to various regulations e.g.

o Health & safety at work act 74
o Management of health & safety at work regulations
o Workplace welfare regulations.
o Coshh control of substances hazardous to health.
o Waste disposal regulations.
o Control of asbestos at work regulations
o Management of asbestos at work regulations.