Common Hazards
of
Homeless
Encampments
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Population
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• Single Men
Transients
Squatters
Hobos
Tramps
Vagrants
Bums
Vagabonds
• Unemployed
– Victims of the recession?
• Poor / destitute
• Suffer from addictions
"The hobo works and wanders,
the tramp dreams and wanders,
and the bum drinks and wanders."
Dr. Ben L. Reitman
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
– Alcoholism
– Drug abuse
• Mental illness
– Depression
Homeless Encampments
take a variety of forms
Tent cities
Groups living under
freeway overpasses
Seattle
I-5 Seattle
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampments
take a variety of forms
Groups sleeping in parks
Skid Row
Occupy Tacoma
Portland
Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma
Homeless Encampments
take a variety of forms
Zen Bentwood Chalet
Blue Tarp Camper
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