Occupational hazards

In
Water treatment plant

Name: Mohamed Salem Mahmoud Salem

Code No: 0905 – 3 -019

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 Occupational hazards in Water treatment plant

Introduction

Drinking water treatment plants are used to remove particles and organisms that lead to
diseases and protect the public’s welfare and supply pure drinkable water to the
environment, people and living organisms. In addition, they also provide drinking water
that is pleasant to the senses: taste, sight and smell and provide safe, reliable drinking
water to the communities they serve.

Processes of sanitary water supply from surface water source

Major processes

Conventional surface water treatment plants consist of several steps in the treatment process.

These include:

(1) Collection

(2) Purification

(3) Disinfection

(4) Storage

(5) Distribution

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 Subjective Hazards

And Control measures

A- Physical Hazards
1- Noise

 SOURCEC
 Exposure to high noise levels, from electro mechanical equipment such as:-

- Pumps
- Generators
- Blowers
- Compressors

 RISKs
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- Occupational hearing impairment.
- Communication interference and safety.
- Effects on job performance.
- Annoyance.

 Control measures

* Engineering control;-

- placing sound-blocking enclosures around equipment

- constructing an enclosure around the employee’s workstation

*Administrative controls;-

- Replacement of old equipment with quieter new models

- Adherence to equipment maintenance programs
- reduce noise doses by limiting exposure time
- PPE
- Pre- employment and periodic medical examination
- Record Keeping

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B- Chemical Hazards

 SOURCEC
Exposure to chemicals such as:-
- Chlorine gas
- Aluminum sulphate
- Caustic Soda lye
- Various chemicals in the lab

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 RISKs

- Respiratory Disorders.

- Tissue damage

- Eye damage

- Toxic

 Control measures:-

* Engineering control;-

- Local ventilation.

*Administrative controls;-

- Periodic measures.

- PPE.

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B- Biological Hazards

SOURCES

Exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms due to:-

1- Accidental contact between workers and raw water or wastewater

2- Conducting laboratory tests

3- Exposure to insects and rodents that may transmit diseases

Risks
Exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms may lead to infections and diseases.

Control measures
* Engineering control;-

- improvement of ventilation
(Negative pressure and separate ventilation) .

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*Administrative controls;-
- PPE.

- Instructions.

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- Safety signs.

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D - Accident factor

SOURCES

- High places

Falls due to working with a defective ladder and/or falls from heights while climbing and
staying on an elevated industrial installation

- Wet floors

Falls, slips, and trips on the level on floors made wet and slippery during the handling of
water.

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- Sedimentation water tanks

Hazard of drowning when working on Sedimentation water tanks

- Electrical installation

Electric shock caused by contact with “live” wires or defective electrical installations (the
danger is especially high because the work is done in a wet and humid environment)

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- Hazardous materials

Exposure to hazardous substances due to the sudden release of toxic materials as a result
of an accident or human error, such as addition of chemicals to an unsuitable installation
(e.g. release of chlorine gas due to an insertion of disinfectants such as hypochlorite into
installation with aluminum sulfate)

- Flammable substance

Fire hazard due a flammable substance.

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- Water courses

Hazard of drowning when working on water courses with a strong current

- Confined places

Suffocation hazard while carrying-out maintenance or installation works, such as working

in a confined place (tank, boiler) or when doing excavation work (collapse of excavation
or a tunnel)

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Control measures

- Wear safety shoes with non-skid soles.

- Use ladders in good repair; make sure that ladder is in required position without the
possibility of displacement and/or collapse; inspect ladder before climbing.

- All cavities, hollow spaces, elevated working surfaces, and other locations where there
is hazard of falling should be "securely fenced" by appropriate railing guards.

- During work with these machines, ensure that work clothes are attached to the body;
use appropriate headgear; guard all moving parts of equipment that may injure the
worker

- Check electrical equipment for safety before beginning to work; call a qualified
electrician for testing of suspect equipment.

- All chemical supply connection points must be checked and post appropriate signs must
be posted at these points.

- Apply chemical safety rules when handling or working with hazardous chemicals; read
MSDS and consult a safety supervisor regarding specific chemicals.

- Use appropriate ear protection

- Learn and use safe lifting and moving techniques for heavy or bulky loads; if necessary,
use lifting aids.

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