Health advice if you are in contact with flood water
GUIDANCE NOTE ON THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH FLOOD WATERS
Raw sewage is mainly water containing excrement, industrial effluent and debris and may exist in varying concentrations in flood waters. Excrement is a major source of harmful micro-organisms, including bacteria, viruses and parasites.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS ?
Exposure to sewage or its products may result in a number of illnesses, the majority of these are mild cases of gastro-enteritis characterised by cramping stomach pains, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Others include:
More serious diseases, such as Weil’s disease which produces flu like symptoms with persistent and severe headaches Hepatitis is characterised by inflammation of the liver and jaundice Occupational asthma, results in breathlessness, chest tightness and wheezing Infection of skin or eyes.
HOW DO MICRO-ORGANISMS ENTER THE BODY ?
The most common way is by hand-to-mouth contact during eating, drinking and smoking, or by wiping the face with contaminated hands or gloves, or by licking splashes from the skin. By skin contact, through cuts, scratches or penetrating wounds. Certain organisms can enter the body through the surfaces of the eyes, nose and mouth. Micro organisms can enter the body by breathing dust from dried contamination on personal protective equipment and other equipment.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
Make sure that you understand the risks to health and the ways in which you can pick up infections. Use safe systems of work and wear the protective equipment that is provided. Report damaged personal protective equipment. Avoid becoming contaminated with sewage Avoid breathing in sewage dust or spray Do not touch your face or smoke, eat or drink unless you have washed your hands and face thoroughly with water Cleanse all exposed wounds, however small, and cover with a sterile waterproof dressing Change out of contaminated clothing before eating, drinking or smoking If you suffer from a skin problem, seek advice from the Occupational Health department Clean contaminated equipment on site. Do not take contaminated clothing home for washing, seek advice from the Health and Safety department
IF YOU BECOME ILL
Consult your doctor in the event of flu-like illness or fever, particularly where associated with severe headaches and skin infections Seek medical advice if there are persistent chest symptoms, particularly if consistent with asthma or alveolitis (inflammation of the lung).