Dangers from above can kill. This can range from falling debris in a further collapse to the dropping of a load by a crane during debris clearance.

The threat is likely to be obvious in daylight, but at night it could be overlooked. Sections of the structure can be disconnected from their tie points and be susceptible to failure due to the wind or aftershocks.

Large sections of floors, walls, ceilings and building contents can fall suddenly, especially in aftershocks and high wind conditions.

Low hanging power lines can cause a tripping or electrical shock hazard. A broken conductor could energise any material capable of conducting electricity. Very high voltage (22,000 volts) is fed into many larger buildings.

Ornamental plasterwork, loose windowpanes and broken panes of glass, neon signs and any other structure that can fall must be secured or removed before work commences.

Rescuers must not work under cranes or machinery employed to remove hazards and rubble.