Transcript Working With Sewage - Health and Safety Strategists
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