Employees of
Wastewater Management are exposed to a wide variety of field and
industrial hazards. To counteract these exposures, a thorough
occupational safety and health program has been instituted. Primary among
these would be the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) program, which
protects the employee whenever a hazard cannot be removed and
administrative controls are infeasible. Examples of PPE available are
safety helmets, steel-toe boots/shoes, prescription and plano safety
glasses, and ear plugs/earmuffs. Employees are instructed on when to use
such equipment, as well as how to properly care for their PPE.
Perhaps the most widely recognized hazardous task in the wastewater industry is confined space entry, a task undertaken on an almost daily basis. New employees of Wastewater Management undergo extensive training during orientation and throughout their employment with the county. This training provides them with the necessary information to safely and routinely enter manholes, wet wells, and similar subterranean work areas.
Other mandatory safety programs/training instituted throughout Wastewater Management include:
- Lockout/tagout
- Powered industrial trucks
- Respiratory protection
- Hazard communication
- Portable fire extinguishers
- Emergency response plans
Optional safety training and programs currently offered include:
- Driver Improvement Program (state approved)
- Adult CPR
- Universal First
- Automated external defibrillator classes