According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US water industry employed over 550,000 Americans in 2019. These employees are responsible for providing water services to millions of clients each year. Yet, the average American seldom considers who is responsible for providing or delivering their household with necessary water services, let alone the safety of those employees.
How Dangerous Is the Water Utility Industry?
The water industry is one of the most hazardous and over-looked industry sectors in the US due to the unique risks that workers are regularly faced with. It was once considered the most dangerous industry in the US, due to the hazards associated with confined space entry. Data gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Safety Council, and the American Water Works Association concluded that injury rates within the water industry far exceed those in other utilities. Thus, the safety of water workers is essential and should be the top priority of your organization. This article will outline the hazards associated with working in the water industry, as well as how your water company could benefit from implementing a lone worker safety monitoring solution.
What are the Hazards?
It is not uncommon for water workers to perform their daily tasks in isolation or a remote location – this only amplifies any pre-existing safety hazards. In general, water industry hazards can be split into three main categories: biological, chemical, and physical hazards. Regular hazard assessments should be carried out to determine the frequency, likelihood, and severity of certain safety risks. You can learn more about identifying hazards in your workplace here.
Biological Hazards stem from contact with any pathogens, which can be any bacteria, microorganisms, or viruses that could cause diseases. Harmful pathogens tend to grow from human or animal sewage. Exposure to these hazards can occur from direct contact or inhalation of gases or particles. Workers who are particularly at risk of repeated exposure to biological hazards are plumbers, sanitary workers, agriculture, and forestry workers. The health consequences associated with exposure to these biological hazards can have serious short and long term effects, from eye and nose irritation to imposing detrimental impacts on internal organs.
Chemical hazards mostly originate from oxygen deficiencies that are commonly found in confined spaces, such as pipes, sewers, or access tunnels. You can learn more about the dangers of working in a confined space here. Sanitary sewers, for example, may contain methane or other poisonous gases like carbon monoxide or hydrogen sulfide that are produced from wastewater and treatment processes. Leaks from storage tanks, industrial sites, or illegal dumping of chemicals can also contribute to excess chemicals and gas found in sewage. Hazards associated with toxic gases and chemicals are magnified if an employee is working alone or in a confined space.
Physical hazards associated with working in the water sector mainly stem from poor housekeeping that creates hazardous working conditions. Slips, trips, and falls are the most common cause of injury. These preventable, but prevalent, incidents can happen because of uneven surfaces, spills that have not been properly cleaned, or poorly marked obstacles that pose tripping hazards. Additional physical hazards include exposure to loud noises, working with dangerous machinery, and working from heights. You can learn more about identifying hazards in the workplace here. Some occupations in the water service industry require employees to travel to the homes of clients. For instance, plumbers are often required to deliver at-home services, such as maintenance repairs or installations. Working in the presence of unknown and unpredictable customers exposes a water worker to infinitely more risks. Clients may be irate, aggressive, or uncooperative. If one of your workers is entering the home of a remote client, you need to be sure that they are safe.
In Recent News
Wichita Falls River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant in Texas dealt with significant tragedy in July of 2016 when two of its employees died in a sewer while conducting standard maintenance procedures on a pump. According to CBC News, the workers became exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas and were not wearing adequate protective gear.
Key Largo, Florida dealt with a similar misfortune when one by one, three men descended into a manhole and did not come out. The manhole was filled with hydrogen sulfide gas and methane that had built up from years of accumulated rotting vegetation. None of the men wore gas masks or proper PPE that likely could have saved their lives. A firefighter descended into the hole in an attempt to rescue the men and became unconscious in only a few seconds. Luckily, the firefighter survived. However, the three men who initially entered the manhole did not. This type of situation makes it evident how quickly hydrogen sulfide gas can act on a water worker if the worker is not properly equipped.
Lastly, this year in Delaware County, four workers were conducting a dye test - a procedure done by a plumber to determine if a single home is connected to a sanitary only sewer. When the two workers above-ground did not get a response from the two workers in the sewer, it was discovered that the workers had been exposed to toxic gases and fallen unconscious. Although first responders tried to rescue the water workers, it was too late and both men in the sewer died.
Mitigating risks for lone workers in water companies
All water workers must be educated and up to date on pertinent safety procedures and protocols. This includes what to do in the event of an emergency, being aware and alert to the risks and warning signs of a field of work, and always wearing the appropriate PP&E for the job.
Yet, sometimes abiding by all of these safety standards is not enough to keep your people safe. Implementing a lone worker safety monitoring solution can provide your organization with the coverage it needs to ensure the safety of its people. It is evident that the water industry is full of unique hazards and risks. Combined with the fact that many workers are required to work in isolation or in remote locations, extensive safety measures must be put in place to cover employees in every scenario. Whether your workers are entering a manhole, working near open water, or traveling to client’s homes – you need to be sure that they are safe.
How Scatterling Can Help During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic
During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic a worker monitoring solution like Scatterling can deliver several invaluable benefits to your company. Giving workers the ability to check-in periodically throughout their shift will continuously confirm their safety. If an employee misses a check-in, monitors will be notified instantaneously and be able to act immediately. Employees who are performing higher-risk activities, such as entering an unknown client’s home for the first time, can adjust their check-in intervals to shorter time periods. This will allow them to confirm their safety more often.
Motion sensors are an additional useful feature that could be life-saving for water workers. Fall-detection senses rapid movements toward the ground, and man-down detection picks up on extended periods of inactivity. These features would be especially useful for employees who may be exposed to hazardous gases. Because motion sensors do not rely on an employee’s ability to call for help, to call for help, they are ideal for situations where a worker is faced with the risk of losing consciousness and being unable to signal that they are in trouble.
Given the unique risks that come with working in the water industry, as well as the broad spectrum of professions the sector covers, water companies must ensure that their people are properly covered.
COVID-19: Scatterling wants to help - FREE Subscription for Scatterling lone worker app
As you well know, the COVID-19 pandemic has escalated in the USA. Firstly, our thoughts go out to everyone already impacted by the disease. We appreciate all citizens’ and organizations’ efforts to self-isolate and “flatten the curve.” We also want to especially thank the healthcare workers and essential services workers on the front lines making a difference. As a result of your inspiring effort, we are now offering our Scatterling remote worker safety monitoring service, for the next 3 months to new subscribers: