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The article reports on the multiple hazards facing "second responders" during disaster recovery operations in the United States. Disaster recovery experts discusses the need for employers to make sure they know with whom they are working. The article emphasizes the need for workers to be constantly aware of their surroundings to avoid chemical and physical hazards.

The article reports on the unpreparedness of the U.S. health care system for large-scale disasters. According to the new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC, the American health care system remains ill-prepared for a large-scale natural or man-made disaster. Among several recommendations to improve preparedness were planning for alternate areas to care for patients, improving capacity levels in hospitals, and planning for delivering health care in environmental locations.

The article reports on the disagreement between the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency about which agency is in charge of providing safety and health assistance to disaster response and recovery workers following Hurricane Katrina delayed some of OSHA's efforts. It reveals that some federal agencies lack awareness about OSHA's role in a disaster.

The article reports that the Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association is organizing recovery assistance for colleges and universities impacted by hurricanes in the U.S. in 2005. Web forms are available for individuals or groups interested in volunteering time and expertise, as well as for colleges and universities seeking assistance.