Demolition contractors are often well-qualified to help with disaster response. From stabilizing buildings to removing hazardous materials, there are myriad ways that demolition contractors can assist with disaster relief.
If your demolition company is interested in helping with disaster relief, you need to look at specific resources to register your business, train team members, and safely work in such challenging environments.
Resources for Demolition Contractors
Take a look at some of the helpful resources available to demolition contractors.
1) Disaster Response Registry
If you want to engage in disaster response in the United States, you must register your business with the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM platform lists companies that are able to assist with disaster clean-up efforts, including demolition contractors, supply distributors, fire departments, emergency responders, and more.
Since things happen quickly with disaster responses, it’s critical that the U.S. government has all the data they need to take appropriate actions when the time comes. Once you are in the SAM registry, your company is eligible to help the federal government with clean-up efforts at disaster sites.
2) OSHA Emergency Preparedness and Response
Before you can send your team out into the field to aid with a disaster, it’s important they know how to conduct themselves safely. The OSHA Emergency Preparedness and Response website provides training so employees know how to conduct themselves safely in the event of an emergency.
While OSHA disaster preparation is applicable for any business or operation, it is particularly helpful if you plan on working in disaster relief. Taking the appropriate steps to train your team members will ensure everything runs smoothly when it really counts.
3) Hurricane eMatrix
In the event that you plan on helping with hurricane disaster clean-up, the Hurricane eMatrix on the OSHA website is a great tool. The Matrix provides important details regarding infrastructural damage and resource availability in areas recently impacted by a hurricane. In turn, the website will help you accurately assess risks before deploying demolition employees into these sometimes volatile regions.
Every hurricane leaves unique challenges in its wake, so contractors don’t know what to expect in a new emergency situation. With major natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, communities were severely impacted by flooding and wind, leading to issues with downed power lines, damaged buildings, structure fires, and more. The Hurricane Matrix will explain how much damage to expect and what resources are available before you enter a hurricane-affected area.
4) Natural Disaster Compliance Assistance Toolkit
When your business deals with disaster relief, your entire workforce is relocated to the emergency area in an extremely short amount of time. During the rush of planning and travel, it’s easy to overlook the fact that new locales have their own labor laws and living wages. The Natural Disaster Compliance Assistance Toolkit from the USDL answers the most frequent questions about federal labor standards.
Contact Our Demolition Company Today
Due to our expertise, demolition contractors like Elder are immensely helpful during disaster scenarios. As one of the top demolition contractors in the Pacific Northwest, we’re proud to offer our services to the disaster response community.
We invite you to learn more about our services, including commercial and industrial demolition, asset recovery, scrap metal recycling, concrete crushing and recycling, and more.
Please contact us with additional questions.