WC145 NovDec 2025 - Magazine - Page 34
WASTEWATER
The case for proactive planning
For a work environment with such a wide range of
hazards facing its workers, an overall proactive, rather
than reactive approach needs to be taken towards their
safety. While there is still a need for reactive measures
like accident investigation, proactive safety measures
are stronger because the focus is on preventing work
accidents and injuries before an employee is harmed.
Proactive planning entails key safety strategies such as:
“Weneedtoproactivelyaddressthesafetyofthosewhoclean
andtakecareofthewaterbetter,ratherthanreactingto
accidentswhentheyoccur.”
Regular evaluations of any existing hazards and risks,
allowing organizations to anticipate and prepare their
workers for whatever will occur in the future. It is
important these hazard assessments are performed
thoroughly and regularly to catch any new occupational risks.
Policies and protocols that address and mitigate specific, identified hazards in the plant and work environment—such as safety check-ins to help monitor
their safety. Additionally, safety protocols and policies
can help organizations comply with regulations such
as WorkSafeBC requirement for a safety policy for
confined space entry.
Habitual infrastructure, equipment assessment and maintenance to prevent incidents such as structural, tunnel
collapse, and concrete deterioration. Collapses can
occur due to factors such as soil instability, corrosion
(chemicals), overloading, poor maintenance, and
natural wear.
Learning about hazards by having regular conversations
with staff, facility, workplace inspections, or job
walkthroughs, and workshops that explore the safety
challenges specific departments and roles are facing,
and how these challenges can be addressed.
Culture of safety which allows workers to report any
hazards or risks without the fear of retribution from
the employer or coworkers. This is an environment
where safety risks are reported before they increase in
severity and harm an employee.
Advanced worker monitoring technologies and devices for
vulnerable employees and lone workers that keep
them connected through multiple channels including
fall detection and toxic gas exposure monitoring.
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WATER C AN ADA • NOV EMBER/ DECEMBER 2025
Policies, regulations and best practices
Planning and proactivity also help wastewater treatment plants comply with a comprehensive framework
of provincial and federal safety regulations put in
place to protect the well-being of their employees.
Federal regulations such as the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
requires employers to provide proper labeling of
hazardous materials, safety data sheets, and provide
safety training to workers handling these
materials. Under the Wastewater Systems
Effluent Regulations (WSER), the goal is
to protect fish habitats and human health
by setting national effluent quality standards for wastewater systems.
Provincially, each region in Canada has
their own safety regulations protecting
those working in the wastewater industry. While the
regulations are mostly consistent across the country,
there are subtle differences in the provincial and
territorial safety legislation for workers in the water
industry.
To help manage and coordinate regulations and
compliance requirements, make sure the current
health and safety program (including the approved
occupational health and policy statement) and
accompanying protocol are updated and in place,
developing new safety policies, if required, for at-risk
employees.
Everyone deserves clean water—
and a safe place to work
Environmentalist and oceanographic explorer
Jean-Michel Cousteau once said: “Clean water, the
essence of life and a birthright for everyone, must
become available to all people now.” Water is a
fundamental right and yet there are still Canadian
communities who face challenges in accessing clean
water. To help fix that problem we need to proactively address the safety of those who clean and take care
of the water better, rather than reacting to accidents
when they occur.
Safety is a process that is part of the work environment. It involves prudent safety planning, strategic,
focused policies, the support of advanced worker
monitoring technologies, and a focus on compliance.
It is this approach that can accomplish the balance
needed for not only water worker safety and compliance, but some peace of mind for both the employee
and their manager. This is worth it for everyone.
WAT E R C A N A D A . N E T
