Safety Risks of Reconstruction Workers in Clean-Up and Recovery Phase due to Natural Hazards

Natural disasters, including hurricanes and floods, cause severe damage and require significant clean-up activities that typically involve skilled support staff such as construction workers, who play essential roles in the response, clean-up, and other recovery activities. During this process, the workers are exposed to many hazards that are unusual for conventional construction activities. For this reason, it is crucial to identify and assess the post-disaster clean-up safety risks to these workers. This research aims to determine the everyday hazards faced by workers during post-disaster reconstruction (PDR) and determine management strategies to overcome them. Recent studies were reviewed to determine the above-mentioned hazards and management strategies, and 17 hazards were identified that imperil the health and safety of PDR workers. Among them are physical hardships, extreme weather, lack of PPE, chemical and biological hazards, and factors related to the inability to perceive risks. To overcome these hazards, 12 strategies are identified including hands-on training for community workers and using the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study's outcomes will help construction companies to gain a better understanding of the various hazards and will assist reconstruction workers in following safety practices in post-disaster recovery operations.