Can Employees Return to Work During the Restoration Process?

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Business owners may wonder when employees can safely resume work in a commercial building that has experienced damage. The answer may be sooner thank you think. Depending on what caused the damage and how extensive it is, employees may be able to return to work as soon as cleanup is complete and work through restoration.

Water Damage

There are several types of water damage that may affect the duration of mitigation

• Clean Category One water from a burst supply pipe should not cause a major interruption
• Category Two gray water is considered contaminated with chemicals or microbes but does not contain solid waste. Complete disinfection prior to resuming work is often required, and interruption might not be necessary if only a portion of the property sustained damage.
• Category Three black water in flood cleanup or from a sewer backup should be extracted, and the affected area disinfected and dried.

Keep in mind that nearly all categories of water contain salts that can cause corrosion and short-circuiting in electronics. Computers, electronic devices, or servers may or may not be able to be restored, which could cause delays.

Storm Damage

If a storm causes a roof leak or broken windows, employers should wait until cleanup and basic mitigation is complete before calling in employees to work. The same guidelines for water damage apply to flood damage from a storm.

Other Damage

Fire or smoke damage may call for more extensive restoration and air filtration. It may take longer for a workspace to be considered safe for employees following this type of damage. Consult with a restoration service to set a timeline for resuming regular business.

Employees should not work in a structure that is undergoing mitigation for black water or flood cleanup. They may be able to return during restoration. For the best results, hire an experienced commercial restoration company in Tacoma, WA.