Texas Basic Waste Water Operations Ch#13 Safety

The federal law having the greatest impact on workplace safety is the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The law applies only to industrial, manufacturing, and private business employers. Although state, county, municipal, public school, and most federal employers are not required to follow OSHA regulations, they have a moral obligation to provide a safe workplace and safety training. Employers not under OSHA may use the federal regulations as guidelines for a safety program.

The Right-to-Know Act (THSC, Chapter 502 and 506) is a federal law that was adopted by the state as the Hazard Communication Act, requiring employers not bound by OSHA to provide information about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. This law covers state, county, and municipal employees. A key requirement of the Right-to-Know Act is employee access to a Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS is hazardous product information supplied by the manufacturer. An SDS states product hazards and precautions.

A safety program must start with support from the top official and extend to all employees. Everyone must participate or the program will fail. Information for setting up a safety program is available from the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Municipal League, public libraries, and the Internet. The elements of a safety program include the following: • Written policy • Accident review • Supportive administration • Trained employees • Safety inspections • Record keeping

There are many hazards around a collection system and wastewater treatment plant. Some general hazards are listed as follows: • Injury • Disease • Oxygen deficiency • Gases • Chemicals • Fire • Electrical shock • Falls

An atmosphere is oxygen deficient when oxygen content is less than 19.5%. NTOE: Typically breathable air is made up of 78.09% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and other gases in minute amounts.

Toxic or suffocating gases come from industrial waste or decomposing domestic wastewater. It is important to be familiar with industrial waste entering the collection system. Gases such as carbon dioxide and methane are suffocating; chlorine and hydrogen sulfide are toxic.

Hydrogen sulfide, methane, fuel, or solvents are explosive or flammable. Manholes, sumps, pits, and anaerobic digesters are potentially explosive. Caution should be taken in the work atmosphere. Some suggestions for workplace awareness include the following: • Ventilate an underground structure before and during entry. • Test the atmosphere of an underground structure before entering. • Notify someone before entering an underground structure. • Never smoke in a manhole or lift station. • Use a safety harness and lifeline when entering enclosed spaces.

Acids, alkalis, and toxic metals are some industrial wastes. Dangerous commercial wastes come from battery shops, plating shops, and photographic laboratories. NOTE: there does not appear to be a direct reference for this however operators should be familiar with the industrial waste that could come into the plant both for personel exposure safety but also to recognise the effect of those wastes on the treatment processes so that appropriate mitigating steps can be taken quickly.

The effect of electric shock ranges from a tingle to burns, bleeding, loss of breathing, and death. Only trained and qualified personnel should troubleshoot or repair electrical equipment. When working on electrical equipment, considerations include the following: • Lock out and tag breakers or switches. • Do not remove another person’s lock. • Use explosion-proof lights in hazardous atmospheres. • Keep wash water away from electrical equipment.

Do not use ladders with only one hand. Survey the work area for tripping hazards.

To work safely in and around traffic, consider the following: • Warn traffic with signs and/or cones. • Use flagmen or warning lights. • Wear safety-colored vests. • Use a vehicle as a traffic shield. • Avoid working during rush hour. • Flaggers must be used when two-way traffic is restricted to one lane.

Traffic control devices must conform to standards set by the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.

To work safely around manholes, consider the following: • Test the manhole for gases and oxygen level. • Ventilate the manhole before and during entry. • If the manhole cannot be ventilated, wear supplied air respirator. • Wear a safety harness and hard hat. • Place barricades or vehicles around the manhole. • Access manholes with a ladder (manhole steps are not safe). • Do not enter alone; at least two persons should stand-by on the surface. • Do not leave a manhole uncovered.

To work safely around manholes, consider the following: • Test the manhole for gases and oxygen level. • Ventilate the manhole before and during entry. • If the manhole cannot be ventilated, wear supplied air respirator. • Wear a safety harness and hard hat. • Place barricades or vehicles around the manhole. • Access manholes with a ladder (manhole steps are not safe). • Do not enter alone; at least two persons should stand-by on the surface. • Do not leave a manhole uncovered.

To work safely around manholes, consider the following: • Test the manhole for gases and oxygen level. • Ventilate the manhole before and during entry. • If the manhole cannot be ventilated, wear supplied air respirator. • Wear a safety harness and hard hat. • Place barricades or vehicles around the manhole. • Access manholes with a ladder (manhole steps are not safe). • Do not enter alone; at least two persons should stand-by on the surface. • Do not leave a manhole uncovered. NOTE: this passage was referenced three times in quick succession.... might be important.......

Excavations that are 5 feet or deeper should be shored, shielded, or sloped. Cave-ins result from the following: • Dirt too near the trench edge • No shoring • Trench wall undercutting • Shoring failure

To work safely around the treatment plant, consider the following: • Maintain good housekeeping; it is the most important aspect of plant safety for the operator. • Do not stand on walls or ledges when cleaning equipment or structures. • Lock out and tag switches before repairs. • Ventilate before entering rooms below ground. • Do not smoke in flammable atmospheres. • Test confined spaces for gases (never trust your nose). • Before using a chemical, read the SDS, wear protective clothing, lift correctly, and practice good hygiene. • Be cautious when walking on trickling filter media; secure distributors before inspection. • Wear life vests when working over open tanks (water in aerated tanks is not buoyant). • Replace burned-out lights; provide bright light for night shifts.

To work safely around the treatment plant, consider the following: • Maintain good housekeeping; it is the most important aspect of plant safety for the operator. • Do not stand on walls or ledges when cleaning equipment or structures. • Lock out and tag switches before repairs. • Ventilate before entering rooms below ground. • Do not smoke in flammable atmospheres. • Test confined spaces for gases (never trust your nose). • Before using a chemical, read the SDS, wear protective clothing, lift correctly, and practice good hygiene. • Be cautious when walking on trickling filter media; secure distributors before inspection. • Wear life vests when working over open tanks (water in aerated tanks is not buoyant). • Replace burned-out lights; provide bright light for night shifts.

To work safely around the treatment plant, consider the following: • Maintain good housekeeping; it is the most important aspect of plant safety for the operator. • Do not stand on walls or ledges when cleaning equipment or structures. • Lock out and tag switches before repairs. • Ventilate before entering rooms below ground. • Do not smoke in flammable atmospheres. • Test confined spaces for gases (never trust your nose). • Before using a chemical, read the SDS, wear protective clothing, lift correctly, and practice good hygiene. • Be cautious when walking on trickling filter media; secure distributors before inspection. • Wear life vests when working over open tanks (water in aerated tanks is not buoyant). • Replace burned-out lights; provide bright light for night shifts.

To work safely around the treatment plant, consider the following: • Maintain good housekeeping; it is the most important aspect of plant safety for the operator. • Do not stand on walls or ledges when cleaning equipment or structures. • Lock out and tag switches before repairs. • Ventilate before entering rooms below ground. • Do not smoke in flammable atmospheres. • Test confined spaces for gases (never trust your nose). • Before using a chemical, read the SDS, wear protective clothing, lift correctly, and practice good hygiene. • Be cautious when walking on trickling filter media; secure distributors before inspection. • Wear life vests when working over open tanks (water in aerated tanks is not buoyant). • Replace burned-out lights; provide bright light for night shifts.

Laboratories are full of hazards; good housekeeping is mandatory. The following is a list of suggested laboratory safety standards: • Chemical storage must separate acids, alkalis, flammables, oxidizers, and explosives. • Label and date chemicals; read labels; dispose of unlabeled or undated chemicals. • SDS must be available. • Laboratories should have two exits, a safety shower, and eyewash station. • Protective clothing should be available, including gloves, aprons, face shields, and tongs. • Never place a lunch in a sample refrigerator. • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in a laboratory. • Personnel should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers. • Do not allow children in the laboratory.

Laboratories are full of hazards; good housekeeping is mandatory. The following is a list of suggested laboratory safety standards: • Chemical storage must separate acids, alkalis, flammables, oxidizers, and explosives. • Label and date chemicals; read labels; dispose of unlabeled or undated chemicals. • SDS must be available. • Laboratories should have two exits, a safety shower, and eyewash station. • Protective clothing should be available, including gloves, aprons, face shields, and tongs. • Never place a lunch in a sample refrigerator. • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in a laboratory. • Personnel should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers. • Do not allow children in the laboratory.

Laboratories are full of hazards; good housekeeping is mandatory. The following is a list of suggested laboratory safety standards: • Chemical storage must separate acids, alkalis, flammables, oxidizers, and explosives. • Label and date chemicals; read labels; dispose of unlabeled or undated chemicals. • SDS must be available. • Laboratories should have two exits, a safety shower, and eyewash station. • Protective clothing should be available, including gloves, aprons, face shields, and tongs. • Never place a lunch in a sample refrigerator. • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in a laboratory. • Personnel should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers. • Do not allow children in the laboratory.

Laboratories are full of hazards; good housekeeping is mandatory. The following is a list of suggested laboratory safety standards: • Chemical storage must separate acids, alkalis, flammables, oxidizers, and explosives. • Label and date chemicals; read labels; dispose of unlabeled or undated chemicals. • SDS must be available. • Laboratories should have two exits, a safety shower, and eyewash station. • Protective clothing should be available, including gloves, aprons, face shields, and tongs. • Never place a lunch in a sample refrigerator. • Do not eat, drink, or smoke in a laboratory. • Personnel should be trained in the use of fire extinguishers. • Do not allow children in the laboratory.