Employee Safety: Timeline for Returning to Work

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

Employees can probably return even if the building is still under minor reconstruction.

When black water floods your building in Mesa, AZ, your primary concern is probably for the safety of your employees. You cannot ignore, however, the risk of taking too long for employees to return to work. Fortunately, employees don't have to stay away through the whole restoration process. Knowing what is going on in each stage of that process can help you discern whether it is a good idea for your employees to be present during it.

1. Stage 1 – Extraction

The first step of the flood cleanup process is extraction of the excess water. Technicians must remove as much of the water as possible to prevent further damage. This halts the progress of water saturation as well as mold growth.

2. Stage 2 – Demolition

The next step is removing everything that is unsalvageable. This includes walls, ceilings, floors and insulation. It is not safe for anyone other than the professionals in charge of cleanup to be present during this step.

3. Stage 3 – Disinfection

Black water contains the highest level of contaminants. It is likely that sewer bacteria and harmful microbes are present in the water. Everything the water touches must be disinfected before it is safe for people to enter. Professionals use a variety of techniques, such as air filtration devices or antimicrobial chemicals, to disinfect the affected areas.

4. Stage 4 – Restoration

After the building is clean, the process of replacing walls and making it look nice can begin. It's probably a good idea to wait until new walls and other basic structures are in place before employees return, but other aspects of the restoration process, such as painting or replacing lost items, can occur after regular workdays begin again.

Employees can probably return even if the building is still under minor reconstruction. As soon as remediation specialists rid the building of the contamination caused by black water, it is typically safe for employees to come back to work. When in doubt, always defer to the expertise of the specialists who are handling the cleanup process. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROmesaeast.com/.