The Vice-Principal for Sustainability, Cooperation and Healthy Life, Pilar Serra, launched a series of recommendations aimed at volunteers who were going to the areas affected by the DANA. Serra said at that time that it was essential to “strictly follow health regulations in order to minimise the risks of infections, injuries and accidents that could aggravate the situation”. Serra reminded us that there were people collaborating in the work who had no training regarding this type of disaster, so it was important that they protected themselves. The instructions were handed out on the volunteer bus that left the Universitat de València.

The Vice-Principal divided the recommendations into three parts:

BEFORE WORK

1. Cover your body with waterproof clothing, rubber boots and

work gloves (with waterproof gloves underneath).

2. Wear protective goggles and face masks (preferably N-95).

DURING WORK

1. Do not eat, drink or smoke in affected areas or with cleanup equipment on.

2. Always drink safe water.

3. Do not use your phone while wearing cleaning gloves.

4.  Do not pour mud into sewers, only flushing water.

5. Report organic findings to the competent authority.  Do not touch them.

AFTER WORK

1. Remove protective equipment with with as little contact as possible and remove any traces of mud

or visible dirt.

2. Wash the equipment with water and germicidal detergent at 60ºC, separately

from the rest of the laundry, with cycles of over 20 minutes.  It can be air-dried.

3. Afterwards, wash the washing machine with germicidal detergent or your usual detergent and

hot water.

4. Do not reuse the equipment for the next day.

5. Shower thoroughly with soap and water, paying special attention to the nails.

6. Seek immediate medical attention in case of injury or illness.