Working With Sewage

 Introduction  Are you at risk?

 Protecting yourself  If you become ill Jane Hallett 2002

Sewage

 Work activities may bring you into contact with sewage products  These products may make you ill  Illness is usually mild gastroenteritis  There is a risk of developing a more serious disease  Most illnesses go unreported Jane Hallett 2002

Sewage

You could become ill by coming into contact with micro-organisms present in the sewage  Bacteria  Viruses  Parasites Jane Hallett 2002

What are the health risks?

  Gastroenteritis Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis)  Hepatitis  Asthma  Skin/Eye infections  inflammation of the lungs Jane Hallett 2002

How you become infected

 Hand-to-mouth  eating, drinking, smoking, contact wiping the face with contaminated gloves   Skin contact Breathing  cuts, scratches or wounds and some organisms enter the body through the eyes  either as dust or mist Jane Hallett 2002

Are you at risk?

 On site at a water treatment works  On a site with a high rat population  On a site near portable toilets  On a site near fresh water  Handling sewage equipment in the works Jane Hallett 2002

Are you at risk?

 Animal urine - particularly rats  All freshwater courses  Dead animals - small rodents & birds  Soil where animals have been  Most likely in warm weather Jane Hallett 2002

Protecting yourself

 Understand the risks  Understand how you may be infected  Wear protective clothing  Avoid sewage if possible  Apply good personal hygiene  Cleanse all wounds & cover  Change out of contaminated clothing  Clean equipment & boots etc on site Jane Hallett 2002

If you become ill

 Report any flu-like illness or fever to your doctor  Report any persistent chest problems to your doctor  Report any illness to your employer  Tell your doctor you have been working with sewage Jane Hallett 2002

Top Risk Occupations & Hobbies

 Water Leisure Industry Workers  Agricultural Workers  Fishermen & Water Sports Enthusiasts  Plumbers  Construction Workers  Sewage Workers  Forestry/Countryside Workers Jane Hallett 2002

Sewage - recap

 Most illnesses are mild  Most illnesses are caught through hand-to mouth contact  If in doubt - see your doctor Jane Hallett 2002