A supercell is a weather system that produces severe thunderstorms featuring rotating winds sustained by prolonged updrafts that may result in hail or tornadoes. On March 5, 2022, three supercells swept across Iowa, producing several tornadoes. Two of the supercells were in southern Iowa and produced three tornadoes, which injured five people and killed six. Another single long-track supercell produced multiple tornadoes from the southwest corner of the state all the way through central, and into east-central, Iowa. The largest tornado, an EF-4, moved across Madison, Warren, Polk, and Jasper counties for nearly 70 miles. At its peak, the tornado produced winds of nearly 170 miles per hour. This Winterset-Newton tornado was on the ground for more than 90 minutes and its path, at several locations, was an incredible 800 yards wide that would equal eight football fields end to end or approximately half a mile.

On March 7, 2022, Iowa OSHA On-Site Consultation staff assembled in Winterset, Iowa with city officials and the Madison County Emergency Management Group to coordinate cleanup and recovery efforts. Consultation staff offered their assistance and gave a well-received presentation to contractors on-site providing their equipment to local volunteers. The presentation briefly covered recognized hazards, an overview of construction equipment, how to ensure safety devices on the equipment were in good working order (i.e., ensuring backup alarms are not disabled), how to protect workers during disaster clean up, chain saw safety, chipper machine safety, and tree trimming safety. The Consultation staff drove state-marked vehicles to identify their presence throughout the disaster cleanup area.

Iowa Consultation set up a table to provide information to anyone needing aid or assistance at the volunteer gathering areas. Consultation staff used OSHA QuickCards and other printed information to explain the hazards and how to avoid injuries and illnesses that often happen during disaster cleanup efforts. The consultants were available to provide guidance to the volunteers on several days. One corrective action recommended by the consultants that was implemented immediately was the use of back-up alarms and strong lighting on earth moving equipment. Another example was the need for personal protective equipment to limit exposures to recognized hazards.

During the tornado cleanup, no injuries or loss of life occurred. This compliance assistance was effective because volunteers were invited to the briefing provided by Iowa Consultation and were allowed time for questions and answers before work began. The City of Winterset and Madison County Emergency Management Group have maintained an open line of communication with Iowa Consultation to further their knowledge and keep contractors and volunteers safe during the cleanup efforts.

The OSHA On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards and how to fix them, provide advice for compliance with OSHA standards, train and educate workers, and assist in establishing and improving safety and health programs. On-Site Consultation services are separate from OSHA enforcement efforts and do not result in penalties or citations. To locate the OSHA On-Site Consultation program nearest you, call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit www.osha.gov/consultation.