In each edition of ANSI/IICRC’s S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, dating back to 1994, the mitigation contractor’s stated first priority on a loss site has remained clear: “Eliminate safety hazards”. I am certain that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus) or COVID-19 (the disease) are not what the authors of the standard had in mind. In 2020, however, the principle applies to water and fire loss sites perhaps now more than ever.
The list of potential hazards on even the most basic mitigation loss can be lengthy. Asbestos and lead exposure. Electrical issues and ceiling collapses. Mold, soot, and bacteria – Oh my! Over the past year, new perils crept out of the shadows and onto the job site– you and me! And your coworkers to your left and right, the five other workers you drove alongside to the job site in the company truck with the windows rolled up, the 15 to 20 temporary laborers hired for the day to demo some water damaged apartments, the multiple residents in each of those apartments, the insurance adjuster, public adjuster, property manager, project manager, building consultant, industrial hygienist, anyone else who may pop in for a visit!. Proper social distancing is nearly impossible 100% of the time on a loss site. Let’s look at ways employers, technicians, and occupants can raise awareness while increasing their chances of staying safe at work during this harrowing time.