The term sewage relates to raw sewage, sewage sludge or septic tank waste. Raw sewage consists mainly of water, excrement, industrial effluent and debris and is a major source of harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. Sewage treatment reduces the water content and removes debris but does not kill or remove all the microorganisms. Workers whose activities bring them into contact with sewage or sewage products are at risk of contracting a work-related illness.
The UK water industry employs over 166,000 people, and sewage workers are well-trained specialists whose skills and knowledge are in high demand in the industry. As there are countless safety hazards working with sewage that need to be overcome on a daily basis, sewage workers will need to maintain their own safety, as well as the safety of the area and the people around them.
Sewage workers are responsible for maintaining the sewer systems in their communities. They commonly work with heavy equipment and can spend most of their days underground, clearing blockages, repairing pipes, and performing other tasks to keep things running smoothly. The job can be very physical as they often have to lift heavy objects or climb into tight spaces. Depending on where they work and the type of work that they are doing, which may involve undertaking work focusing on the cleaning and treatment of fresh water and sewage, or maintenance of the sewage system itself, the role of a sewage worker may involve:
The above list is not exhaustive. Whatever the environment they work in, a sewage worker will be responsible for ensuring the safety of their work and any equipment to protect the safety of themselves and other people.
Working with sewage, including, for example, untreated sewage, sludge, septic tank waste or effluent water, can expose sewage workers to a variety of infection risks. Sewage workers most at risk include workers involved in sewer inspection and maintenance work, construction workers who repair or replace live sewers, and plumbers who may be exposed to sewage sludge.
There are a number of health risks associated with occupational exposure to sewage. The majority of illnesses are relatively mild cases of gastroenteritis, an infection of the gut (intestines) which is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting caused when microorganisms have entered the body via contaminated tools or hand-to-mouth contact while eating, drinking or smoking, and by wiping the face with contaminated hands or gloves. Contact with other pathogens can cause diseases, a number of which are potentially fatal diseases that can pose a health risk to sewage workers, such as:
Sewage workers can be infected with parasites such as intestinal worms and Giardia duodenalis, also known as Giardia intestinalis, which can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach cramps or pain, nausea and dehydration.
Germs in sewage can cause skin infections if they enter a cut or abrasion, and they can also cause eye and ear infections.
Due to the fact that microorganisms are an innate characteristic of sewage, it is not possible to eliminate the hazard completely; however, measures should be in place to reduce the risk of infection and illness. Sewage workers should assume that everything, including equipment, clothing and themselves, that might be in contact with sewage in the course of their work is contaminated, and have effective decontamination procedures in place.
Sewage workers should always use safe systems of work and wear the protective equipment that is provided. We will look at PPE in more detail later in this guide. They should recognise the risks to health and safety and avoid becoming contaminated with sewage by:
It is essential that a COSHH risk assessment is carried out when working with sewage as some workers will suffer from at least one episode of work-related illness each year.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) places duties on employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises (the responsible person) to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences (near misses). Exposure to microorganisms that lead to diseases such as hepatitis is reportable under RIDDOR when a work activity causes accidental contamination sufficient to cause damage to the health of any person. Such situations are likely to arise when work is carried out without suitable controls, or where those controls fail.
Sewage workers may work on underground pipes and sewers, at reservoirs and water towers or at sewage treatment plants. Most of their time is spent working outside in all weathers. Conditions are often wet, dirty and smelly. They may work in confined spaces, which is governed by The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. The various confined space hazards that pose a risk include toxic gases, oxygen deficiency, oxygen enrichment, flammable atmosphere, excessive heat and flowing liquids. Some of the other factors that should be taken into consideration during the risk assessment include lighting, communication methods and additional equipment needed for the task at hand. All workers must be equipped with the correct gas monitors, body protection, fall arrest and breathing devices, depending on the area that they are entering.
Manual handling injuries have a major impact on all workplaces and sectors, costing the economy hundreds of millions every year. Manual handling encompasses a wide range of actions including lifting, lowering, pulling, pushing, and carrying awkward and heavy objects. The risks are endless for sewage workers as the work can be quite physical, with lots of bending and lifting, and they may experience manual handling injuries such as:
Injury from poor, damaged or inadequate equipment – ensuring tools and equipment are in proper working condition is key to ensuring safety on a job. Inspect all equipment before use and only use if in good working order. Sewage workers should always use equipment properly, follow safe work policies and procedures, and attend any training required. Always ask for an explanation if something is unclear, or uncertain.
Slips, trips and falls are always a risk for sewage workers as they are often working on uneven surfaces and are exposed to all weather conditions. Each year slips, trips and falls cause thousands of preventable injuries. They can cause various injuries such as bruises, sprains, scrapes, broken bones and head traumas. Around 1,000 of these injuries involve someone fracturing bones or dislocating joints, so make sure footwear with a good grip is worn; we will look at PPE later in this guide.
