WC145 NovDec 2025 - Magazine - Page 33
WASTEWATER
More Protection in Proactivity
Preventing wastewater hazards through planning
BY GEN HANDLEY
C
Getty Images
ANADIANS USE A LOT OF WATER.
The most recent statistics say that the average citizen in this country consumes more
than 400 litres every day—this includes
residential, industrial and commercial uses.
To keep it flowing and clean into communities and
businesses, there are thousands of people working at
all hours and in a number of roles, sometimes putting
themselves at risk of significant occupational hazards. These roles can include wastewater operators,
technicians, electricians, engineers, health and safety
officers, administrative staff, as well as plant managers
and supervisors; all essential to an operational wastewater treatment plant.
Wastewater treatment plants can be dangerous
places to work with accidents, like fatal falls, still
occurring, despite having provincial regulations and
occupational health and safety agencies in place.
Canada’s public water infrastructure is made up of
about 4,000 wastewater treatment plants which
includes a vast network of about 400,000 kilometres
of underground pipes.
The hidden dangers of wastewater work
Behind the scenes, throughout these treatment systems and facilities, workers must perform their jobs
while at risk of several potentially serious occupational hazards to also deal with.
Trips and falls may seem innocuous. However, even if
they are at a low level, this hazard can be incredibly
dangerous to an employee and their work. They can
occur in wastewater treatment plants at all heights,
particularly around spills and slippery areas of water,
which is a constant risk in the industry. When working alone, plant workers are at increased risk of slips
and falls which can become significantly more serious
without a coworker to help. Additionally, simple
cluttered walkways and work areas can increase the
likelihood of falls.
Gen Handley is Marketing and
Growth Coordinator at SafetyLine
Lone Worker.
Biological hazards like harmful bacteria such as E. coli
and salmonella can also exist in the work environment as well as parasites and viruses such as hepatitis.
A less-known biological hazard they are exposed to
are bioaerosols, which are tiny airborne particles that
contain bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that come from wastewater treatment
processes. Workers can be exposed through direct
contact, inhalation, and accidental ingestion.
Infrastructure failures can occur when the plant is
aging and has received inadequate maintenance, putting employees at risk of various accidents across the
facility. These can include structural collapse, inadequate or outdated safety protections systems (guardrails), pipe breaks and leaks, and water contamination
and pollution. Additionally, failures and breakdowns
with equipment can occur, putting the worker and
operations at risk.
WATER C AN ADA • NOV EMBER/ DECEMBER 2025
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