US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association

katrinasatelliteOSHA Update – Hurricane Preparedness: Hurricanes are a form of tropical cyclones that have circulating air and sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour, with some of the strongest storms exceeding 155 miles per hour. They are capable of causing devastating damage to communities. Our Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to Nov., and peaks between Aug. and Oct. Each employer is responsible for the safety and health of its workers and for providing a safe and healthy workplace for its workers. Employers are required to protect workers from the anticipated hazards associated with the response and recovery operations that workers are likely to conduct. We would like to share with you resources on hurricane warnings, hazards that hurricanes cause, and precautions that workers and employers should take after a hurricane has occurred.

The preparedness page outlines the warnings and watches used for hurricanes, including the five categories used to rate the strength of a hurricane and on creating evacuation plans and supply kits. The response/recovery page features a link to OSHA’s Hurricane eMatrix, which features information on hazard exposures and risk assessments for hurricane response and recovery work. The information in the matrix is organized based on the types of activities performed so that it is easy for workers to identify the precautions they should take based on the tasks they will be performing. OSHA and NOAA are working together on a public education effort aimed at improving the way people prepare for and respond to severe weather. This page is designed to help businesses and their workers prepare for hurricanes, and to provide information about hazards that workers may face during and after a hurricane.

In addition to the information found on OSHA’s Preparedness webpage, we recommend both the FEMA website and, for a more unique approach to emergency planning, please visit the CDC’s Zombie Preparedness guide; because if you plan for zombies you will be prepared for anything.  For further assistance regarding this topic in the form of free consultation services, policy development or training, please contact the UVICELL Safety in Paradise office at 340-693-1146 or via email at safetyinparadise@uvi.edu. We look forward to helping you meet your safety and health needs!

UVICELL Safety in Paradise can help small and medium-sized employers by providing free OSHA On-Site Consultation Services. To learn more about this free and confidential safety and health program visit: http://safety.uvi.edu/.

Hurricane Season is Here – Resources from CHTA: It only takes one storm to change your business, life and community. Tropical cyclones are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena, and the Caribbean is no stranger to its destructive force; therefore, we encourage you to be prepared for any eventuality. This is your time to plan and prepare.

The guides listed below are useful resources to help you be storm ready:

Weather Monitoring Resources:

To keep your guests, employees and community informed, this guide offers safety messages that can be posted on social media: