How to Clean Up After a Tornado

When it’s safe to leave your shelter, here’s how you can safely survey the damage and get back to work.

Evaluate your property.

When you hear the all-clear from local authorities, leave your shelter.

If you aren’t at your company building, don’t return until authorities say it’s safe to do so.
Make sure you wear appropriate clothing when you evaluate the damage, like long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes.
Keep an eye out for broken gas lines and fallen power lines, and report them as soon as possible to local officials.
Evacuate the area if you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing, and make sure to alert the authorities.
Take pictures of damage for insurance claims.

After a tornado, you may encounter:

Dangerous driving conditions because of slick or blocked roadways
Slippery walkways
Flying or falling objects, like tree limbs or utility poles
Sharp objects, like broken glass or nails
Electrical hazards in the form of downed power lines or damaged objects in contact with power lines
Falls from dangerous heights
Fires caused by equipment failure or line contact
Exhaustion from working extended shifts, as well as heat and dehydration

Eliminate the problem wherever possible. For example, you should remove a fallen power line before working on anything else in the area.
Get ahead of equipment-related injuries: You can do this by guarding the
“pinch points” on a piece of heavy equipment, or making sure the cab is temperature-controlled.
Make sure your team is well-rested: Decrease the chances they’ll make a mistake on the job by giving them frequent breaks and making sure they’re getting the rest they need.
Work in the daylight. This is especially true for high-hazard or unfamiliar tasks.
Keep the workspace clean. Decontaminate equipment or personnel if they come into contact with contaminated water or chemicals.
Use the right personal protective equipment (PPE). Use PPE that’s appropriate for the task your team is working on. See more about how to select and use PPE here.

You can reduce the risk of hazards and contaminants by employing basic safety, sanitation and good housekeeping practices. These include:

Drinking safe water
Washing hands before eating, drinking, smoking or after using the restroom. Use hand sanitizer if potable water isn’t available
Not eating or drinking anything exposed to floodwaters, and not eating or drinking in an area that contains debris, floodwater or sludge
Using bug repellent
Promptly dealing with cuts and scrapes

In addition to PPE, employees should have gear that’s appropriate for the environment:

Evaluate the work your team will do in a tornado-impacted area. Then you can consult with a health care professional, who will: