See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/261499796

Application of occupational health and safety management system at sewage

treatment plants

Conference Paper · April 2012

DOI: 10.1109/BEIAC.2012.6226080

CITATIONS READS
5 7,323

3 authors, including:

Amirhossein Malakahmad Alan G. Downe

Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS Multimedia University
98 PUBLICATIONS   1,097 CITATIONS    35 PUBLICATIONS   642 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Cultural UX/Usability View project

Detection Methods of Carcinogens in Estuaries View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Amirhossein Malakahmad on 12 September 2014.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 2012 IEEE Business, Engineering & Industrial Applications Colloquium (BEIAC)
Application of Occupational Health and Safety
Management System at Sewage Treatment Plants
Amirhossein Malakahmad1, Alan Giffin Downe2, Siti Dhamina Muhamad Fadzil1
1
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia
2
Shool of Business, Curtin University Sarawak, Malaysia
Abstract- Sewage treatment plant (STP) operators are exposed
to variety of hazard during wastewater processing. The aim of
this study is to identify and manage these hazards, particularly in
a local STP in Malaysia, through Occupational Health and Safety
Management System (OSHMS). Initially, reported hazards data
were collected via review of literatures, questionnaire
distribution and interview with experts. Then, the most risky
hazards based on conditions of selected STP were identified.
Subsequently, the hazards were ranked based on severity and
likelihood. Results show exposure to excessive noise, skin
irritation and slip and fall are the main concerns of workers in
the site. Therefore, noise mitigation was done using sound
absorbers. It was indicated that the level of existing noise
(94.2 dB) was reduced to 92.1 dB and 90.6 dB by application of
carpet and cardboard, respectively. Skin irritation risk is
suggested to be mitigated by installation of auto-cleaner, self-
cleaning bar screen and scraper blades at the site. In addition,
cordoning off areas while cleaning is in progress and provision of
ramps at cleaning area around the clarifier are found to be the
appropriate solutions for slip and fall risk at the site.
Keywords; OSH Management System, Wastewater
treatment Plant, Noise mitigation
I. INTRODUCTION
For many years, wastewater treatment plants have been
regarded as dangerous work environments. Treatment plant
workers experience health problems, accidents and near-
misses result from exposure to wide range of hazards related
to plant design and processes [1]. These workers deal with use
of mechanical equipments, treatment tanks, and chemicals.
Those activities can expose them to range of hazards. An
analysis by the International Occupational Safety and Health
Information Centre (CIS) found that wastewater treatment
operators encounter no fewer than 15 accident hazards, three
physical hazards, four chemical hazards, three biological
hazards, and three ergonomic and psychosocial hazards in the
course of their daily duties [2]. The injury rate for workers in
the wastewater treatment industry in 2006 was 5.2 injuries per
100 workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
[3]. That is 15% higher than the national average of 4.4 per
100 workers [4]. Slip and fall [5], water born disease [6], air
born infection [7], skin ailments [8] as well as hearing lost [9]
are among the most occupational hazards in a sewage
treatment plant.
Occupational Safety and Health Management System
(OSHMS) promotes a safe and health practices and methods
within the work environment and it can be considered as a
systematic approach for the occupational problems faced by
the workers. The standard on Occupational Health and Safety
Assessment Series (OHSAS) 18001:1999 and The
978-1-4673-0426-9/12/$31.00 ©2012 IEEE
International Labor Organization Guidelines on Occupational
Safety and Health Management Systems (ILO-OSH 2001)
offers good frameworks for work palaces [10]. OSHMS
provides a structure to reduce disruption due to accidents,
reduce workers compensation claims and assist any
organization in complying with regulatory requirements. In
addition, OSHMS contributes to promoting and maintaining
organization image, expedite the safe and successful induction
of personnel and also assists in the instruction of new
personnel or cross functional training and adds requirements
to contractors thus reducing hazards which will contribute to
risks [11]. Moreover, OSHMS promotes safe and protected
practices and methods within the work environment and these
are frame works based on regulations and legal obligations in.
This provides any organization to identify and control risks
that relate to health and safety resulting in reduction of
potential for accidents [11]. Lack of awareness among site
managers and workers and confidentially of accident reports
cause that few attempts address concurrently hazards in STPs
and solve those hazards using OSHMS. The aim of this study
is to initially identify and assess the existing occupational
hazards at a sewage treatment plant (STP) in Malaysia and
properly manage the identified hazards based on a systematic
approach using OSHMS.
II. METHODS
A. Case Study
An STP which was designed for total population of 11,500
persons was selected for further investigations. The plant
consists of primary and secondary treatment processes with
sludge treatment and disposal facility.
B. Data Collection
Data were collected via review of literatures, questionnaire
distributions, interview with expert as well as site inspection
and observation.
Literature research: Report of accidents, accident
investigations, accident statistics, published documents,
regulations and code of practice were reviewed. These data
provide classification of hazards which have previously
identified. In addition the information from handbooks was
reviewed as they are given practical details. Also, Chemical
Safety Data Sheet (CSDS) and Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) which provide information on hazardous materials,
control measures first-aided and emergency response were
considered.
347
Questionnaire: Set of questionnaire was designed with various
questions addressing hazards likelihood and severity. The
questionnaire was drafted based on series of hazards found
through review of literatures in previous step. Once the
questionnaire was drafted, it was sent to field experts for
evaluation. Then necessary amendments were made and the
questionnaire was adjusted according to evaluation to avoid
bias. It was then administered to various respondents including
STP personnel, academicians and safety officers.
Interviews: Based on the results gained from the
questionnaire, structured interview sessions were conducted.
Main purpose of the interview sessions was to validate the
data gained from the questionnaires. In addition, the interview
were carried out for the purpose of increasing details and
supporting data and information on applying control measures
for the selected hazards to be managed.
C. Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is a careful examination of what, in work
palace, could cause harm to people, so that the assessor can
weigh up whether the workers have taken enough precautions
or should do more to prevent harm. Risk associated with each
hazard was calculated according to NIOSH guidelines [10]
using Eq. (1).
Risk = Likelihood × Severity (1)
Risk is the potential for adverse/unfavorable effects resulting
from an activity or event. Likelihood is the chance of an event
occurring and severity is a phenomenon that follows and is
caused by some previous phenomenon.
D. Inspection and Observation at the workplace
Identifying hazards by inspection and observation at the STP
was conducted by statutory, periodic and formal and informal
inspections to assess and validate hazards identified from
previous steps. Activities like assessing flooring aggregates,
observing cleaning process of treatment tanks and measuring
ambient noise were carried out at this stage. Noise level was
measured according to National Institute of Occupational
Safety and Health (NIOSH) standard methods [10] using an
AEMC Sound Level Meter CA832. Frequency band ‘‘A’’ and
time response ‘‘fast’’ were used. The range of 80 – 130 dB
was selected during the measurement. Sampling was done
with 1 hour interval for 8 hours to calculate the total noise
level based on Eq. (2).
(2)
Where:
n = the total number of sample taken
Li = the noise level in dB of the ith sample
ti = fraction of total sample time
Then the results were compared with NIOSH permitted noise
level at work places [12] and safe working hours were
estimated according to Eq. (3). NIOSH has recommended that
occupational noise exposure be controlled so that no worker is
exposed in excess of the defined limits.
348
(3)
Where:
T = permitted duration (hr)
L = effective noise level (dB)
E. Control Measure Application
Where a risk assessment has identified hazards that require
control, there are some considerations which, can be addressed
before going on to setting priorities for controlling them.
Based on level of risk, the hierarchy of control measures was
used to identify mitigating strategies. The hierarchy of control
is a sequence of options which offer a number of ways to
approach the hazard control process. It includes six steps of
elimination, substitution, isolation, engineering and
administrative controls and personal protection equipments
(PPE). The measures used to control risks in industries should
be chosen according to their effectiveness. Based on the
hierarchy elimination has top priority of implementation and
PPE has the least.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Hazards identification based on literatures, questionnaire
and interview
Data collected in this step were categorized based on
biological, chemical and physical hazards. After collection and
compilation of data from literatures, the prepared
questionnaire was sent to 117 recipients. The reply rate was
around 40% which considered reasonable compared to other
studies which have reported 22% [13] and 14% [14] replay
rates. Nine interview sessions with experts were conducted
based on the information gathered from previous steps.
Table 1 shows the identified hazards in this step according to
various reported hazards in STPs around the world.
Although the list was comprehensive and able to address
majority of hazards, some hazards are negligible based on
wastewater treatment processes in Malaysia. Exposures to UV
radiation or application of any chemicals such as chlorine-
based materials as disinfectant were ignored as wastewater
disinfection is not a common practice in STPs in Malaysia.
Among all reported hazards biological hazards (38.4%) has
the highest rate of exposure, followed by physical hazards
(34.6%) and chemical hazards (27.0%). It is most likely due to
nature of work place which involve high possibilities of
workers contact with infectious agents such as bacteria,
viruses, protozoa, helminths and fungi, present in the raw
domestic wastewater which are mainly from human origin.
While hierarchy of control suggests elimination as the best
approach for management of hazards, but in majority of
industrial cases as well as sewage treatment plants, elimination
of hazards are impossible. Process like usage of chemicals and
regents or excessive noise and electrical shocks because of
usage of some devises like pumps and blowers and
furthermore conditions like confined spaces and ponds
(aeration, stabilization, etc.) are unavoidable. Therefore,
instead of elimination, lower levels of hierarchy such as
substitution and isolation are more practicable for majority of
hazards in STPs. Some other hazards such as uncontrolled
mixing of chemicals, poisoning by phosgene, slips and falls on
slippery floors, falling of heavy articles, cuts and pricks by
sharp tools and edges are potential examples of hazards which
are well manageable efficiently by application of systematic
control measure.
TABLE 1. LIST OF IDENTIFIED HAZARDS BASED ON LITERATURES,
QUESTIONNAIRE AND INTERVIEW
Hazard
Hazard
class
Exposure to UV radiation
Exposure to adverse weather
Dermatoses caused by exposure of the skin to wastewaters,
cleaning formulations, acid and alkaline solutions, etc
Irritation of mucous membranes by chemicals
Latex allergy caused by gloves use
Diseases caused by infectious agents (bacteria, viruses,
protozoa, helminths and fungi) present in domestic wastewater
Biological
Diseases caused by contact with the toxins released by the
infectious agents
Diseases caused by insects or rodents proliferating in the
sludge drying beds
Musculoskeletal injuries caused by overexertion while handling
heavy loads
Discomfort and psychological problems related to prolonged
wear of protective clothing
Vigorous chemical reactions caused by uncontrolled mixing
Hazards related to entry into confined spaces
Acute poisoning caused by various chemicals present in
wastewater, used as reagents, or released during the treatment
Chemical
Intoxication caused by erroneous drinking of wastewater
Poisoning by phosgene
Chemical burns by corrosive liquids
Damage to eyes by splashes of irritating or corrosive liquids
Slips and falls on slippery floors
Blows and contusions caused by falling heavy articles
Exposure to excessive noise levels from mechanical
equipments
Falls into ponds, pits, clarifiers or tanks
Physical Burns by steam or hot vapors or splashes of hot plating baths
Electric shock
Cuts and pricks by sharp tools, edges and articles
Injuries caused by flying particles
Fire and explosions due to formation and release of flammable
gases during processing
Interestingly, some reported hazards such as discomfort
and psychological problems related to prolonged wear of
protective clothing are created due to hierarchy of control
ignorance. It shows in many cases, PPE have been considered
as the first and fastest solution to overcome a hazard while it
contributes to some hassles for the personnel and causes some
unsafe actions. As result, application of control measure using
hierarchy of control is an appropriate solution to conquer
almost all hazards reported in sewage treatment plants.
B. Inspection and observation at the workplace
In the next steps hazards listed in Table 1 was investigated in
the selected STP and based on the site investigation the listed
hazards reduced to ten hazards. Then the ten listed hazards
were inspected in the site to estimate the severity and
likelihood of each. Severity was ranked “1”, “2”, “3” or “4” if
it caused negligible injuries, minor injuries, major injuries or
permanent disability or else fatality, respectively. Likelihood
was estimated based on accident records in the plant. Ranks
349
“4” were given to most likely (daily) hazard to be happened
while “1” given to most unlikely (yearly) condition.
Subsequently, “2” and “3’ represent hazards which occur in
monthly and weekly basis, respectively. Table 2 shows
hazards in the STP ranked based on their risks.
TABLE 2. RISK OF HAZARD OCCURRENCE IN THE STP
No. Hazard Severity Likelihood Risk
1 Excessive noise 3 4 12
2 Skin irritation 3 2 6
3 Slip and fall 3 2 6
4 Electric shock 4 1 4
5 Eye damage 4 1 4
6 Fire and explosion 4 1 4
7 Poisoning 4 1 4
8 Fall into ponds 3 1 3
9 Injuries 3 1 3
10 Confined spaces 3 1 3
As shown in Table 2 excessive noise, skin irritation and
slip and fall have had the highest likelihood at site,
accordingly. Hence, they were selected to be managed at the
site using OSH Management System. Excessive noise had the
highest risk of happening in the site and was the main
complain of the workers. It is mainly due to application of
pumps for wastewater flow and blowers for supply air to the
wastewater in aeration process. It is proven that for any
wastewater treatment facility, aeration is an essential process
in secondary treatment of wastewater. Aeration is favorable
due to its low capital cost, easy operation, low odor and
production of non explosive gases [15].
The workers at the STP also experience skin irritation. The
reason is mainly due to wastewater characteristic which
contains microbiological and organic and inorganic matters in
suspended, colloidal and dissolved forms which may cause
problems to the skin. Since their main routine at the plant
deals with the wastewater, the possibility of contact between
the skin and wastewater is high [16 -18]. According to the
workers at the STP, they are prone to have slips and falls
hazard at workplace mainly due to the nature of the job. Their
daily job which are cleaning the grit chamber and bar screen at
the primary section and clearing the clarifier from solid wastes
pose them to the falling hazard. The routine practice of taking
effluent sample can lead to the slips and falls hazard [16-18].
Slips and falls are among serious safety problem in the
workplace. It is generally assumed that slips are more likely to
occur on slippery floors [5]. Since STP operates and deals
with many liquids, the chance for the workers to have this
hazard is high. Therefore, excessive noise, skin irritation and
slip and fall were considered as the main risks in the site and
mitigation measure were implemented to promote
occupational health and safety management system.
C. Noise level mitigation
Initially the sources of noise were investigated. Site
observation indicated that pump station is the main contributor
of the noise at site. Noise level was measured for eight
working hours with one hour interval. Equivalent noise level
(Leq) was calculated and compared with NIOSH standards.
The noise levels results are summarized in Table 3.
 TABLE 3. NOISE LEVEL MITIGATION APPROACH AT THE STP IV. CONCLUSION
No mitigation Carpet Cardboard Hazards mitigation is an essential process in sewage
treatment plant toward promoting of occupational health and
L1 94.5 92.3 90.1
safety. This study shows wastewater treatment plant operators
L2 93.9 92.6 91.1 are faced with various hazards at the site via use of chemicals
L3 94.8 91.7 90.2
and reagents, contact with infectious wastewater stream,
encounter unsafe conditions such as excessive noise level,
L4 94.3 92.1 90.3 electrical shock and slip and fall. A systematic approach using
L5 94.2 91.8 91.5 occupational health and safety management system (OSHMS)
is appropriate solution to address and control the hazards in
L6 93.8 91.7 90 the STPs. Findings of this study indicate that application of
L7 94.5 91.5 90.2 OSHMS as an efficient method contributes to the safer
environment for the workers in other industries.
L8 94.1 92.3 91
Leq 94.2 92.1 90.6 REFERENCES
Permitted
working 4.47 5.98 7.36 [1] Nellie J. Brown. Health Hazard Manual: Wastewater Treatment Plant
hours and Sewer Workers. Manuals and User Guides. 1997. Cornell University
ILR School: Collection.
[2] International Hazard Datasheets on Occupation - Wastewater Treatment
Leq was found to be 94.2 dB in blower house. It shows workers Plant Operator. International Occupational Safety and Health
objections due to excessive noise level at the plant is valid as Information Centre (CIS): International Labor Organization (ILO). 2009
NIOSH standards indicated that any noise level more than [3] Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Water and Liquid Waste
90 dB for an existing facility could be harmful for the Treatment Plant and System Operators.
workers. Effects of noise on people can be classified into two [4] John V. Bannen. Treatment, safety starts at headworkers, Water
categories; auditory effects which include both hearing loss Environment & Technology Magazine, 20(5), 2008.
and speech interference and psychological/sociological effects [5] Kai Way Li, Yao-Wen Hsu, Wen-Ruey Chang and Ching-Hua Lin.
Friction measurements on three commonly used floors on a college
which cause annoyance, sleep interference, and effects on campus under dry, wet, and sand-covered conditions. Safety Science, 45,
performance at workplace. Therefore, based on the NIOSH 980–992, 2006.
guideline in this condition either the level of noise or duration [6] Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Drinking Water
of working hours need to be reduced accordingly. The safe & Wastewater Operator Information Center, Tips for Pennsylvania
Wastewater Workers on Staying Healthy at Work.
working hours based on NIOSH guideline for the site was [7] Helvi Heinonen-Tanski, Tiina Reponen and Jari Koivunen. Airborne
found to be less than 5 hours. As reduction in working hours is enteric coliphages and bacteria in sewage treatment plants. Water
not a favorable approach, noise level mitigation was Research, 43, 2558-2566, 2009.
implemented using carpet and cardboard as to low-cost sound [8] Do Thuy Tranga, Kare Molbak, Phung Dac Cam and Anders Dalsgaard.
Incidence of and risk factors for skin ailments among farmers working
absorber. Application of carpet caused considerable reduction with wastewater-fed agriculture in Hanoi, Vietnam. Transactions of the
of noise level at the site (92.1 dB), but the noise level was still Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 101, 502-510, 2007.
above the standard limits. Application of cardboard on the [9] Frank R. Spellman. Handbook of water and wastewater treatment plant
other hand had shown better reduction in noise level which operations. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis group, 2000
[10] Training Manual for Safety & Health Officer Certificate Programme,
was (90.6 dB). While carpet and cardboard are considered as Module 1: OSH Management. National Institute of Occupational Safety
low-cost sound absorbers, their application was resulted in and Health (NIOSH) Malaysia, 2005.
34% and 65% increase in permitted working hours. Table 3 [11] BRS OSHMS, Occupational Safety and Health Management System
shows the noise level measurement records at the site. (OSHMS) Certification, OHSAS 18001.
[12] Mackenzie L. Davis, David A. Cornwell, Introduction to Environmental
D. Skin irritation Engineering, 4th edition, McGeaw Hill International Edition, 2002.
[13] Pornpimol Kongtip , Witaya Yoosooka and Suttinun Chantanakula.
Skin irritation is due to contact between the workers and the Occupational health and safety management in small and medium-sized
wastewater comes from activities such as sampling and enterprises: An overview of the situation in Thailand. Safety Science, 46,
treatment tanks cleaning. This risk can be eliminated by 1356–1368, 2007.
[14] F. A. Manuele. Achieving Risk Reduction, Effectively. Process Safety
installation of “Auto-cleaner” at clarifier, “Self-cleaning bar and Environmental Protection, 84(B3), 184–190, 2006
screen” at bar screen unit and “Scraper blades” at grit [15] Gerard Keily. Wastewater Treatment. In Environmental Engineering (pp
chamber. This is suggested to be followed by administrative 493-561). United Kingdom: McGrawHill, 1988
controls such as “trainings for workers regarding to standard [16] Roszairi, M. Operator of Tenaga Kini Sdn. Bhd. for UTP STP. Personal
Interview. October 22, 2009.
of hygiene practices”. [17] Azizul, M. Supervisor of Tenaga Kini Sdn. Bhd. Personal Interview.
February 17, 2010.
E. Slip and fall [18] Anuar, S. Operator of Tenaga Kini Sdn. Bhd. for STP. Personal
The inspections at site indicate that the material used for Interview. October 22, 2009.
flooring has the required standards and substitution of floor is
not required. Instead, “cordoning off areas while cleaning is in
progress”,”provision of ramps at cleaning area points around
the clarifier” and finally “delivery of trainings on good
housekeeping” are recommending.

350

View publication stats