An emergency plan must be created against rain and flooding!
Assessing the negative effects of excessive rainfall and floods, experts pointed out the measures to be taken against these situations.
Pointing out that protective measures should be taken against puddles in buildings located at or below road level, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan expressed that "Appropriate drainage systems should be installed in buildings against rain and flooding."
Noting that especially the regions with stream beds must be specified in the zoning plans and that construction should not be allowed in these areas, Dr. Tuğçe Oral stated that "Safe construction methods should be considered by taking into account the floods that may occur in the buildings around these areas or in the construction."
Üsküdar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan and Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Occupational Health and Safety Research Assistant Dr. Tuğçe Oral evaluated the negative effects of excessive rainfall and floods and explained the measures to be taken against these situations.
If you are going to walk in a puddle, you should proceed in a controlled manner with a guide stick
Pointing out that protective measures should be taken against puddles in the structures located at or below the road level, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan expressed that "Even in minimal rainy weather, observations can be made and the areas where water accumulates can be easily explored. Thus, it is possible to be prepared in advance for the problems that may be encountered in case of large rains or floods. It may not be possible to predict the depth of puddles that may occur due to heavy rains due to the turbidity of the water. For this reason, even if the depth of the puddle does not exceed our shoes, it is necessary not to step on it uncontrollably. A guide stick must be obtained, and if it is to be walked in the puddle, it should be proceeded in a controlled manner with the guide stick.”
What precautions should be taken against sudden rain and flooding in buildings?
Expressing that "Appropriate drainage systems should be installed in buildings against rain and flooding," Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated the following:
"The accumulation of water that may damage the structure should be prevented and its removal should be ensured. Moreover, these systems should be checked regularly to reduce the possibility of clogging and overflow due to waterborne materials. 'Control valves' should be installed in sewer traps to prevent rainwater or flood water from flowing back into homes and businesses. In buildings that are constantly faced with rain and flooding, control lines indicating the height can be drawn on the walls to remind the maximum water height. Thus, the positioning of electrical devices or electrical sockets to be used in the household or workplace can be done according to the control line. The household should also be made aware of this issue by not keeping valuable or material items in such residences, keeping official documents, vehicle keys or jewelry in a high place in the house. In existing structures, the walls should be covered with waterproofing components with renovations that will prevent flood water from backfiring. In areas where rainy and floods are frequent, waterproofing materials and control valves must be installed on wastewater drains in new buildings to be built, and the discharge flow of incoming water must be ensured."
An emergency plan should also be created for flooding...
Emphasizing that an 'Emergency Plan' should be created in a flood disaster as in every house, as in an earthquake, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan stated that "Thus, each family member can be assigned a responsibility with joint decision-making, crisis management and auxiliary kits on safe meeting points and shelter areas. Prepare emergency kits and supplies that include essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit. Assign roles and responsibilities to each family member to ensure everyone knows what to do during a flood emergency. It is likely that the gutters, which are usually made against flooding on the roof and around the buildings, will be clogged due to drought in hot weather. For this reason, it should be ensured that the dried substances are dissolved by ensuring that water flows through the gutters at regular intervals, and possible blockages should be detected in advance and floods should be prevented."
How important is reinforcement during the construction phase?
Stating that the biggest risk in constructions is in the foundation stage, and that heavy rain and floods affect the magnitude of material and moral damage, Asst. Prof. Rüştü Uçan said that "For this reason, risks such as slippage and collapse should be taken into consideration, especially in the foundation works of the constructions to be made in rainy regions, and precautions should be taken against soft landslides. In these areas, it is important that the basements are not used for accommodation or business purposes due to the danger of flooding. If there is experience with the current water height levels, the elevation level of the construction should be kept high.”
Occupational health and safety measures against floods...
Research Assistant Tuğçe Oral from the Department of Occupational Health and Safety pointed out that the electrical installation cables used should be adequately protected and maintained, and that physical wear and tear should be checked before each shift, and Oral continued her remarks as follows: "Since it is not possible to predict the duration and severity in rainy weather, work with electrical appliances in the open area should be suspended. If there is a sudden rain or flood, it should be ensured that the power line is cut off, the authorized personnel are trained in this regard, and they act consciously in a possible situation. Work shoes recommended to be worn on construction sites are insulating and therefore it is important to wear them by everyone. If it is noticed that the water level is rising, you should definitely go to higher areas and stay away from all electrical devices. If it is a place where visibility is limited, a flashlight should be used."
Occupational health and safety measures...
Pointing out that when someone caught in an electric current is noticed, the principle of 'ourselves first' should not be forgotten and the importance of avoiding one-to-one contact to intervene, Dr. Tuğçe Oral said that "In order to save the person caught in the current, the current should be cut off by hitting the contact point like a wooden stick with an insulating material. In this regard, it is necessary to mention the people working in construction, especially in occupational safety training, for intervention in emergencies. In short, it is important to create emergency plans according to the flood disaster, considering the geographical location and geological risks in the region where the construction sites are located. Thus, the impact of material and moral damages that may occur can be reduced."
What should be considered against floods?
Research Assistant Dr. Tuğçe Oral noted that especially the regions with stream beds should be specified in the zoning plans and that construction should not be allowed in these areas, and said that "Safe construction methods should be considered by taking into account the floods that may occur in the buildings around these areas or in the construction. The physical structure of the wall should be protected, especially with materials containing special waterproofing, especially in a way that the basement floor or high elevation or basement floor is not used. Emergency scenarios must be created in crowded houses, and one should be prepared in any situation."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)