Wastewater plants are some of the most hazardous places for individuals to work. In addition to the common work-related dangers of sprained ankles, pulled muscles, or back strain, treatment plants works face seriously ailments like blindness, lung infection, or even death when wastewater treatment safety practices aren’t carefully followed. In addition to partnering with quality manufacturers of parts like the oil water separators North Carolina vendors supply, there needs to be a comprehensive but compliant safety program in place for wastewater facilities.
Take Appropriate Measures
When looking to implement a safety program, the first considerations should take action over all the areas of in-plant risk and exposure. These included common slips, trips, and fall injuries, but it should also account for chemical or hazardous waste exposure, overflow, storage, and transportation of materials. The plan should be well-documented and developed according to the recommendation and requirements of governing bodies like OSHA and the EPA.
Thoroughly Train Employees
The onboarding process will give your employees an overview of your procedure, but you will need in-depth, continual training to have best-practices and immediate response protocols fresh in their minds. Chain of command is sometimes fuzzy to new employees, so clearly outline who needs what kind of information and how often it should be presented. Post plans and procedures all around the worksite for employees to easily identify and remember. You should also conduct drills on a routine basis. This can help you work on areas that have an inaccurate or slow response. Your employees should also be outfitted with the proper personal protective equipment. Don’t just limit this OSHA requirement to those that work in the lab.
Maintain Company-wide Consistency
Having a solid, unified front towards safety is the best way you can protect your employees. From the top-down, safety should be a priority. Encourage any visitors to your site or plant to follow your safety procedures. You may need to have a brief meeting over the basic processes and restrictions, and never lever visitors unattended while on site. Create safety teams and appoint team leaders. If you can get your employees to take more responsibility for safety, the entire company will reap the benefits. If necessary, bring in consultants to help you come up with a strong plan.
Employee safety isn’t something that should be an afterthought or a reaction to an accident. When working with hazardous materials and wastewater, put strong safety precautions in place and carefully monitor compliance.