OSHA Hurricane eMatrix Maps Hazards for Storm Cleanup Crews
OSHA’s Hurricane eMatrix gives storm-recovery employers an activity-by-activity breakdown of hazards, and crews heading into cleanup work can put it to use now. Safety+Health Magazine reported on October 9, 2026, that the agency has compiled a set of post-hurricane response and recovery resources.
The eMatrix outlines the activities most commonly performed during hurricane response and recovery and gives detailed information on the hazards tied to each, per the magazine. It also offers recommendations on safe work practices, precautions and personal protective equipment for specific work activities. OSHA says the tool is meant to help employers protect their workers.
Other materials include QuickCards and fact sheets on demolition safety, electrical safety and tree-trimming safety. All of it sits under the OSHA Resources tab on the agency’s hurricane webpage. The report does not name a specific storm or describe any new requirement.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- Build the eMatrix into your job hazard analysis before mobilizing. Match each task on your scope to its entry, then carry the listed precautions and PPE into the written JHA for that task. This is our suggested use. The source describes the eMatrix as guidance, not a JHA template.
- Use the QuickCards for demolition, electrical and tree-trimming crews. These are the three topics the source names. They are short enough for pre-shift briefings, and you can pull them from the OSHA hurricane page under the Resources tab.
- Document that your crews used OSHA’s own guidance. The source calls these resources, not new rules, so a record of the eMatrix-based JHA and briefings can help show your safety planning if a GC or insurer asks.
