common hazards of homeless encampments courtesy of chris ott, city of tacoma
TRANSCRIPT
Common Hazards of
Homeless Encampments
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Population• Transients• Squatters• Hobos• Tramps• Vagrants• Bums• Vagabonds
"The hobo works and wanders, the tramp dreams and wanders, and the bum drinks and wanders." Dr. Ben L. Reitman
• Single Men
• Unemployed– Victims of the recession?
• Poor / destitute
• Suffer from addictions– Alcoholism– Drug abuse
• Mental illness– Depression
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms
Tent cities Groups living under freeway overpasses
I-5 Seattle Seattle
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms
Skid Row
Occupy Tacoma
Groups sleeping in parks
Portland
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms
Blue Tarp Camper
Zen Bentwood Chalet
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Common Hazards
•Blood-borne Pathogens•HIV / AIDS•Hepatitis
•Bio-Hazards•Feces•Sharps
•Vector Hazards•Rats and mice
•Hanta Virus•Spiders
•Poisons•Drug Labs
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Blood-borne Pathogens
• Blood-borne pathogens are infectious microorganisms in human blood that can cause disease in humans.
• These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). • Needle sticks and other sharps-related injuries may
expose workers to blood-borne pathogens.
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Blood-Borne BMPs• Wear disposable gloves and
sturdy shoes• Do NOT pick up bundles of
debris• Don’t put your hands inside
anything• Carefully place syringes in a
Sharps Container• If you do get a needle stick;
DON’T PANIC! Wrap the needle in a secure package and take it with you to the hospital.
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Bio-Hazards
• Feces• Vomit• Food Waste• MRSA
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
BIO-Hazard BMPs
• Wear disposable gloves• Wear sturdy shoes• Use a shovel to remove
anything gross• Put gross things in
secure containers • Use Sharps Containers
for syringes
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
MRSA
• MRSA - Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type (strain) of staph bacteria that does not respond to some antibiotics that are commonly used to treat staph infections.
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
MRSA BMPs
• Don’t go inside tents.• Don’t generate dust and avoid breathing dust• Protect your skin, eyes, ears, nose, and throat• Wash with soap!• Wash with soap!• Wash with soap!
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Vector Hazards
• Beware of rats and mice nesting in garbage– Avoid breathing dust
• Watch for spiders
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Meth Labs
Do NOT pick up drug lab materials !
Call your local police or sheriff (non-emergency)
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampment BMPs
• Report Homeless Encampments to :• Do not argue with or provoke homeless
people; they have nothing to lose and you have nothing to gain.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment when removing camps or debris
• Wash your hands and change your clothing before you go home!
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma