Health and Safety Executive

OCE Sewage system maintenance Offshore COSHH Control approach 1 essentials General ventilation

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for emergency maintenance and contractors) to comply with the Control repair of foul water systems. It covers the key points you need to follow of Substances Hazardous to Health to help reduce exposure to an acceptable level, as part of your COSHH Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to assessment. protect workers’ health. Hazards This guidance consolidates good control 3 Raw sewage is a major source of harmful bacteria and other micro- practice and reinforces existing knowledge organisms. with additional information. 3 The main risk is infection following hand-to-mouth contact, leading to gastro-intestinal disease. It will help you carry out COSHH 3 There may also be a risk of hepatitis, characterised by inflammation of assessments, review existing assessments, the liver. deliver training and in supervising activities 3 Inhaling residues and spores may lead to asthma or rarely, allergic involving substances hazardous to health. alveolitis. 3 There are also risks of infection or skin disease via cuts or scratches, or It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities by splashing, eg into the eyes. include the management of substances hazardous to health on offshore Access installations (eg occupational health 3 Erect barriers and notices. specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors 3 Warn everyone before isolating the waste water system, and notify etc). It is also useful for trade union and them when the work is complete. employee safety representatives. Storage Following this guidance is not compulsory 3 Segregate clean and contaminated equipment. and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow this guidance, you will Equipment and procedures normally be doing enough to comply with Control procedures the law. Health and safety inspectors seek to secure compliance with the law and may 3 Provide dedicated tools/equipment. refer to this guidance as illustrating good 3 Provide buckets with disinfectant and long-handled brushes for personal decontamination at the exit point. practice. 3 Ensure a good standard of general ventilation. Also see essential information on the back First aid of the sheet. 3 Provide sterile wipes and clean water to cleanse wounds. 3 Keep a supply of sterile adhesive waterproof dressings nearby. Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – see OCM4 3 Where necessary, provide CE-marked RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 10 for particles.

Sewage system maintenance OCE20 General ventilation

Other protective equipment 3 Provide eye protection – a full-face visor. 3 Provide disposable coveralls with a hood. 3 Provide wellingtons or waterproof disposable overshoes. 3 Provide waterproof, abrasion-resistant gloves, eg nitrile. 3 Ensure that all cuts and abrasions are covered. Cleaning and housekeeping Decontamination 3 Assume that everything that might be contacted by sewage is contaminated. 3 Clean and disinfect the area after the task. 3 Use the ‘buddy’ system to decontaminate PPE and work clothing – minimise the spread of contamination. 3 Change out of work clothing before exiting the area. 3 Provide bags labelled ‘Clinical waste – Biohazard’ for all contaminated PPE. 3 Disinfect or sterilise reusable work equipment. Caution: If soiled, bag up work clothes for laundry as a separate load.

Personal decontamination and skin care 3 Wash before eating or drinking, and after touching any surface or object that might be contaminated. 3 Provide warm water, mild skin cleansers, nailbrushes, and soft paper, fabric towels or hot air for drying. Avoid abrasive cleansers. 3 Replace nailbrushes regularly. 3 Instruct workers in how to clean their skin effectively. 3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils.

Caution: ‘Barrier creams’ or ‘liquid gloves’ do not provide a full barrier.

Health surveillance 3 Conduct low-level health surveillance for asthma using a respiratory questionnaire administered by a suitably trained responsible person. 3 Conduct low-level health surveillance for dermatitis involving skin checks by suitably trained responsible person. 3 Keep good records of gastric upsets – monitor that personal hygiene is adequate. 3 Where appropriate, make available effective vaccines for those workers at risk of repeated exposure to raw sewage.

Training and supervision 3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed. 3 Tell workers, including maintenance workers, what the hazards and risks are. 3 Explain the early signs of asthma and dermatitis. 3 Explain the dangers of contact with sewage. Provide the HSE pocket card INDG197 – see ‘Further information’. Tell workers to show it to the offshore medic in case of illness.

Sewage system maintenance OCE20 General ventilation

3 Training includes toolbox talks on: Employee checklist n how to use the right safe working procedures; Are you clear about the n checking for damage; safe procedures for doing n how to use RPE and check that it is working; the job? n personal hygiene; Is your respirator n how to decontaminate effectively; and working properly? Check n what to do if something goes wrong. it every time. 3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training. Clean up leaks and spills immediately. Essential information Look for signs of wear OCE0 Advice for managers and damage to OCM3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment. OCM4 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) If you find any problem, get it fixed. Don’t just carry on working. Co-operate with health surveillance. Report all illnesses to your supervisor. Use, look after and store your PPE in accordance with instructions. Wash hands before starting the job, and before eating, drinking or using the lavatory.

Further information Department of Health ‘Green Book’ Immunisation against infectious disease www.dh.gov.uk

Brugha R, Heptonstall J, Farrington P et al ‘Risk of Hepatitis A infection in sewage workers’ Immunisation Division, PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London

Working with sewage: The health hazards – A guide for employees Pocket card INDG197 HSE Books 1995 www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ indg197.pdf

You can find the full Offshore COSHH essentials series at www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11