Common Hazards of Homeless Encampments Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma.

Common Hazards of

Homeless Encampments

Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma

Homeless Population• Transients• Squatters• Hobos• Tramps• Vagrants• Bums• Vagabonds

"The hobo works and wanders, the tramp dreams and wanders, and the bum drinks and wanders." Dr. Ben L. Reitman

• Single Men

• Unemployed– Victims of the recession?

• Poor / destitute

• Suffer from addictions– Alcoholism– Drug abuse

• Mental illness– Depression

Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma

Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms

Tent cities Groups living under freeway overpasses

I-5 Seattle Seattle

Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma

Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms

Skid Row

Occupy Tacoma

Groups sleeping in parks

Portland

Courtesy of Chris Ott, City of Tacoma

Homeless Encampments take a variety of forms

Blue Tarp Camper

Zen Bentwood Chalet

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