Hurricane Milton Updates

We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and will be working with our Southeast Region Operations team to prepare for the impacts of a second major hurricane in Florida. If forecasts are correct, Miltion will make landfall late Wednesday evening near Tampa as a Category 5 hurricane.

For those of you in the path of the storm it is very important to stay informed with the latest information as well as any local or state level instructions in the coming days. Florida’s Division of Emergency Management will have up to date press releases, executive orders and assistance information related to Hurricane Milton. Please begin preparing for your safety and the safety of your family, friends and neighbors. 

Communication will be very important over the next few days. Please stay in contact with your supervisors and office operations managers to communicate your plans and any needs you may have. We will communicate updates related to office and operations status for locations that will be affected by the storm.

If you need help or have any questions, please contact your direct supervisor or reach out to our Director of Human Resources, Donna Josey (Donna.Josey@sam.biz) or our Director of Health & Safety, Todd Baker (TBaker@sam.biz).

Incident Management and Communication

• Immediately report all work-related incidents, no matter how minor; even small lacerations may become infected in post-hurricane environments.
• If affected by the storm, please use checkin@sam.biz or call 512-895-5222 to report your status and to get office updates after the storm passes.
• You can also monitor sam.biz/SAM-911 for office updates.
• Call 911 for emergencies.
• Call AXIOM for all work-related injuries – (877) 502-9466
• Contact the Safety Hotline for other safety related needs – (512) 685-3577

As a reminder, here are some helpful tips for what to do before, during and after the storm.

Take Shelter

• Your personal safety is the highest priority.
• Shelter in place until the storm has passed or evacuate as directed by your local officials.
• Resist the temptation to go out during or immediately following with storm.
• Don’t drive or walk through floodwater– it may be deeper than you think.
• Keep in mind that floodwater often carries germs, bacteria and potentially sewage. Avoid contact with flood waters if at all possible.
• Never operate a generator inside an enclosed area.

Secure Property and Equipment

• Take the necessary precautions to protect your personal property.
• If you have company equipment, make sure it has been secured in the office or in your home/hotel.
• If you have a company vehicle, park it in a location that is least likely to result in damage from flood waters and flying debris.
• If you know your area is likely to experience excessive flooding please coordinate with your manager for securing company vehicles at the Houston office.

Downed and damaged power lines, and dangerous materials

• NEVER get within 20 feet of fallen power lines. Assume all power lines are LIVE.
• Contact your local power company or city office to inform them of downed power lines.
• Fast moving flood waters may be carrying large objects that can strike and injure you.
• Flood waters may also be covering dangerous objects that could cause injury.

Return to work, walking and working surfaces

• Follow the instruction of your Supervisor, Project Manager or client representative at all times and only return to work when instructed to do so.
• The ground is wet and slippery which is the time when falls can occur. Be sure of your footing as you walk and note that there is potential for back injuries, arm, and shoulder injuries during falls.
• Avoid walking on debris when possible. These items can slide or move causing you to lose your balance, may be covering or hiding a more significant hazard, or may have sharp edges or nails that could cause laceration or puncture wounds.
• Natural ground will be saturated and your vehicles can become stuck or bogged down depending on the area.

Your safety is very important to us and should be your first priority. Please continue to track Hurricane Milton at this link or your local weather service.