Course: BFM 203 Water Treatment and Control

Lecture

Safety

Safety

Safety is critical when accessing and operating equipment in or on the intake structure, especially during inclement weather.The definition of safety is "the condition of being safe; freedom from exposure to danger; exemption from being hurt, from injury, or from loss; to protect against failure, breakage or other accidents; knowledge of or skill in methods of avoiding accidents or disease." Causes of unsafe acts include ignorance, indifference, poor work habits, laziness, haste, poor physical condition, and temper.

YOU are personally responsible for your safety and the condition of your work area!

The primary objective of a safety program is to prevent accidents. Other objectives include improvement of effectiveness and efficiency. Employee "right to know" legislation requires that employers inform employees of possible health effects resulting from contact with hazardous substances. Employers must obtain and provide to employees an MSDS for all hazardous substances obtained for use at the workplace. For maximum safety, management should develop and employees should follow standard operating procedures; safety equipment (personal protective equipment or PPE) must be provided by management or required of employees. Engineering hazards out of procedures and processes should be the first choice when evaluating those procedures/processes. Remember, you, and only you, are ultimately responsible for your own safety!

The following is a list of some safety considerations of which you should be aware:

- Confined space entry
- Driving and working in roadways
- Handling and lifting
- Slips,trips, and falls
- Electrical safety
- Rotating equipment
- Chemicals and compressed gasses
- Excavations
- Noise exposure

One key to safety is training, training, training! Having the right attitude about safety comes from proper training on the importance of understanding each hazard and how to safety accomplish required tasks.

LOTO (Lock out/tag out)

Lock out/tag out/try out procedures protect workers from hazardous energy sources such as stored energy--electricity, hydraulic and pneumatic pressure, compressed gases, and spring-loaded equipment. Other energy sources requiring LOTO may include chemical and thermal energy. LOTO procedures may include the lockout of switches or breakers or the removal of fuses or valves with a tag stating "NO OTHER PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO REMOVE THIS TAG OR LOGOUT DEVICE." The "try out" step in the LOTO process is often overlooked. After lock out/tag out methods are applied, try to open the valve, run the equipment, or test for stored energy before performing the task or entering the space. This will ensure that the LOTO process is complete and correct. Test remotely controlled equipment for inadvertent starts at ALL locations, including local, remote, computer controlled, and automatic set points.

Chlorine Safety

The nature of work in the water industry requires the use of potentially dangerous chemicals. Chlorine is a commonly used chemical in the water workplace. Chlorine may come in the form of Sodium Hypochlorite (liquid) or Calcium Hypochlorite (powder or puck). Use eye protection (face shield), rubber gloves, and an apron when handling these chemicals. Cl_2 (chlorine gas) is greenish-yellow in color, 2.5 times heavier than air, and very corrosive. It expands rapidly when exposed to atmospheric pressure. Always wear approved breathing equipment when handling and always work with someone else present when changing cylinders or regulators. Note that 150 lb. cylinders have a fusible plug that melts and releases gas at 158 - 165 degrees Fahrenheit.