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Protecting wastewater workers from disease risks: Personal protective equipment guidelines
Mark W LeChevallier1, Theodore J Mansfield2, Jacqueline MacDonald Gibson3
1Dr. Water Consulting, LLC, Morrison, CO, USA.
Summary
Wastewater workers face infection risks from pathogens. New guidelines recommend personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, eye protection, coveralls, and respiratory protection, to mitigate these occupational hazards.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Wastewater contains pathogens, posing infection risks to workers.
- The 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic highlighted infection risks for wastewater personnel.
- Existing guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE) for wastewater workers are insufficient.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify tasks with potential pathogen exposure for wastewater workers.
- To develop a personal protective equipment (PPE) selection matrix.
- To provide guidance for protecting wastewater workers from infectious agents.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a job safety analysis with 34 wastewater utility personnel and public health experts.
- Identified 43 relevant job tasks involving potential pathogen exposure.
- Developed a PPE selection matrix based on identified risks.
Main Results:
- Recommended PPE includes durable gloves for all tasks.
- Safety glasses are recommended for 24 tasks.
- Respiratory protection (N95 or face mask) is advised for 10 tasks, and coveralls for 4 tasks.
Conclusions:
- The developed PPE selection matrix offers guidance for protecting US wastewater workers.
- Implementing these guidelines can reduce occupational illness risks.
- This addresses a critical gap in protecting a vulnerable workforce from known and emerging pathogens.
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