Emergency Preparedness

Washington Occupational Health Associates is an experienced provider of emergency preparedness planning and emergency response. Our board-certified physicians are uniquely qualified to respond to client needs in this emerging area and have served both governmental and private sectors in planning for and responding to terrorist and bioterrorism attacks. WOHA physicians also serve as Corporate Emergency Response Medical Directors for a number of clients.

Recent Examples of WOHA Emergency Preparedness & Response

• Response to Terrorism
  • In 2001, WOHA evaluated and treated workers from Capitol Hill, the Brentwood Postal Facility, and other sites for potential exposure to anthrax
  • WOHA had an integral role in the evaluation New York City and Pentagon first responders following the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks
• Exposure Evaluation and Treatment - WOHA has managed exposures to:
  • aerosolized particulates following the explosion of a bomb in a New York City skyscraper
  • cyanide vapors emitted from a hazardous waste site sampling well
  • blood from an HIV-positive co-worker
  • blood borne pathogens from a crushed air courier package
  • head injuries from a fallen polyethylene storage tank
  • cuts from a commercial water-gun cleaner with a 900 mph jet velocity
  • ethelyne glycol incurred during a manufacturing process
• Medical Oversight of Hurricane Relief Deployment
  • In 2005, WOHA screened over 4,000 personnel for deployment to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
  • In September of 2008 alone, WOHA screened over 1,500 individuals to respond to Hurricane Ike
• Direct Disaster Response
  • In March 2010, WOHA personnel traveled to Haiti to assess the public health crisis and treat those affected by the January earthquake

Heat Stress and You.

There’s no shadow of a doubt – it’s summertime.  Don’t underestimate the effects that extreme heat can have on your well being.  It is especially important for workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments to be sensitive to the potential effects of heat.  Occupations that have a high risk of heat stress include construction, factory work, mining, baking, firefighting and others.  The thousands of employees commissioned to clean-up the Gulf Oil spill are prime candidates for heat stress.

Heat stress can result in heat stroke, exhaustion, syncope (fainting), cramps, or rashes.  It is important for employers to take precautions to protect their employees. It is equally important for all to be able to recognize the associated symptoms in case of an exposure and take remedial measures. 

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion include:

• Heavy sweating
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Dizziness, confusion
• Nausea
• Clammy, moist skin
• Pale or flushed complexion
• Muscle cramps
• Slightly elevated body temperature
• Fast and shallow breathing

What to do:

• Have the worker sit in a cool, shaded area
• Have the worker drink plenty of water
• Have the worker take a cool shower, or sponge bath.

Symptoms of Heat Stoke include:

• Hot, dry, skin (no sweating)
• Hallucinations
• Chills
• Throbbing headache
• Extremely elevated body temperature
• Dizziness, confusion
• Slurred speach

What to do:

• Call 911 immediately
• Move worker to cool, shaded area
• Cool the worker by fanning,  or showering, soaking, or sponging with water

For a comprehensive guide to the effects of heat stress for both employers and employees, please visit NIOSH’s informative page: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/heatstress/