Fire & Water Restoration Workers
Restoration crews go into buildings right after fires, floods and burst pipes, before they’ve been made safe. The water may be electrified or contaminated, the structure may be weakened, and tearing out damaged materials can release asbestos, lead and mold.
- Construction
- Restoration
Photo: restoration technician in a respirator, gloves and boots extracting water from a flooded basement with air movers running
Top hazards
- Electric shock in flooded areas
- Sewage and contaminated water (germs, chemicals)
- Mold growth within a day or two
- Weakened floors, ceilings and roofs; falling debris
- Asbestos and lead disturbed during tear-out
- Carbon monoxide from gas pumps, generators and heaters
- Soot and smoke residue after fires
- Lifting wet, heavy materials
Before entering
- Power to flooded areas shut off by the utility or an electrician; never wade into water that may be energized
- Gas shut off if there’s any sign of damage or odor
- Structure checked for sagging floors, ceilings and roofs
- Water source and contamination level identified (clean, gray or sewage)
- Building age checked for asbestos and lead before demolition
- Ventilation and CO monitoring if using fuel-powered equipment
Key practices
- Sewage and flood water: wear waterproof gloves, boots and eye protection; wash hands before eating; keep tetanus shots current. See Biological Hazards.
- Mold: wear at least an N95 for mold cleanup, more for large areas; contain and use HEPA vacuums. See Mold.
- Demolition: test suspect materials before tearing out drywall, flooring and insulation in older buildings. See Asbestos and Lead.
- Fire damage: wear respirators for soot cleanup; it can contain toxic compounds.
- Equipment: use GFCIs for pumps, dehumidifiers and air movers; keep generators outside. See Portable Generators.
Electricity and water kill. Don’t enter a flooded basement or touch wet equipment until power is confirmed off. See Wet Locations.
Standards & references
Last updated: