COLLECTION SAFETY SYSTEM PART 3 (PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT)

COLLECTION SAFETY SYSTEM PART 3 (PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT)

Personal Safety Equipment

The following is a list of the safety equipment that should be worn and/or used by all employees working in sewer manholes at all times, unless stated otherwise.

1)    Hard Hats.

2)    Hard hats should be worn by all employees working in manholes. On jobs where heavy machinery is involved hard hats should also be worn while working outside of any manholes.

3)    Rescue and Retrieval System.

4)    Steel-Toed Work Shoes.

5)    These shoes are designed to protect the upper part of the foot from being injured by falling objects (manhole lids, tools, etc.) and to protect the soles of feet from being penetrated by sharp objects (broken glass, razor blades, etc.) These shoes also have better foot support than ordinary shoes so they are able to relieve some of the foot fatigue, which may be experienced.

6)    Rubber Gloves.

7)    Rubber gloves should be worn by persons in hand contact with raw sewage or grouting chemicals.

8)    Orange Safety Vests or Shirts.

9)    These vests must be worn by employees working in or near any public road so that the employees will be more visible to motorists.

10) Goggles.

11) Safety glasses or goggles should be worn by employees working in areas where chipped debris or chemicals may possibly cause eye injury.

12) Ear Plugs/Muffs are to be worn during the operation of any power tools or equipment.

13) Gas Detection Meter.

An approved gas detection meter must be used to detect the presence of the following gases:

a. Hydrogen Sulfide. b. Methane.

c. Carbon Dioxide.

The gas detection meter must be used before descending into a confined space and must be periodically checked to monitor the atmosphere of the space in which the employee is working.

Other Safety Equipment

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Other equipment essential to the safety of the employees working in manholes and sewers is listed in Table 18-1. NOTE: You should also review Chapter XIV of this safety manual for additional rules and regulations concerning Confined Spaces and Enclosed Areas.