As residents recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes and severe storms in Missouri and Kansas, OSHA is urging recovery workers, employers and the public to use caution during cleanup efforts. The agency urges all to be aware of hazards they may encounter, and steps needed to to stay safe and healthy.

In the past year and a half, more than 20 weather and climate disasters, each with losses exceeding $1 billion, occurred in the U.S. and Canada. Consisting of 11 severe storms, four floods, a drought, regional wildfires, and a winter storm, these events caused 185 deaths.

With cleanup from the historic flooding in Louisiana likely to go on for some time, occupational safety and health agencies are warning about the hazards that workers and volunteers will face during cleanup activities.