In the summer of 2002, two CIPP technicians, ages 25 and 19, were overcome by toxic sewer gas and drowned while walking through a 600-foot section of underground sewer in Iowa. Five co-workers who tried to rescue them were also overcome, but later recovered in the hospital.
Investigators found that the workers’ employer, in business more than 25 years with 1,500 employees, was negligent in failing to provide adequate training for confined-space safety. The employer was also found not to have properly ascertained the hazards of the work site from the contractor, nor provided oversight to ensure the proper use of respirators and other safety equipment.
The deaths could have been prevented. Yet, these fatalities continue to occur at an alarming rate, and it’s not just isolated individuals working in less-than-safe conditions who are affected. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), more than 60 percent of confined space fatalities are would-be rescuers, as unprepared to encounter hazardous conditions as those they try to save.
In an industry that depends largely on young men whose bravado may trump a sense of safety, it’s critical to require comprehensive safety training. Since much contract cleaning requires operating in confined spaces, which are often hazardous, this training is especially important. What are you doing to ensure the safety of your employees? It’s a consideration not taken lightly by these cleaning operators.
The City of Raleigh takes no chances with its human resources. Each new hire in its Public Utilities Department who may be involved in field work is sent to Fayetteville, N.C., or to Atlanta, Ga., for 10 hours of Competent Person training, a total of three times in their first year of employment. Thereafter, every utility employee must return for an annual refresher course that keeps them updated on new federal and state regulations and new safety technology they may be expected to use on the job.
“Trenching and excavations, confined-space entry, anything they might be required to do,” is what these workers learn during training, according to David Johnson, utility supervisor III. Part of his job is to monitor these workers on the job. That includes making sure the complete pre-entry checklists for confined-space work is followed. He ensures that gas monitors and fresh air blowers and other necessary items are on site and in use.
“We also teach everyone how to fill out readings of potential toxic gases and other hazards to apply for a site permit,” says Johnson.
“No one enters a confined space unless I or my operations manager is there with them,” says Jim Meredith, president of ABC Sanita-tion, a sewer and drain cleaning firm in London, Ontario, about halfway across the stretch of Canada that separates Lake Erie from Lake Huron. “We’ve been trained by another company, and we oversee any work.”
Though there’s no explicit ongoing training program separate from the work itself, ABC field technicians are thoroughly briefed before each job about potential safety hazards related to confined-space entry and other aspects of the project. Then Meredith or his operations manager carefully monitors the operation and use of harnesses, masks and other safety gear, along with acceptable safety practices.
Anything deemed unacceptable is called out immediately and corrected, then discussed during a project postmortem on the way back from the job. There’s not a big problem with having to train new workers, says Meredith. “We’ve been veryfortunate to have the same guys now for a number of years.”
Wastewater collection superintendent Wayne Terry works for the City of Pampa (Texas) Department of Public works. He oversees a department of four in this seat of Gray County in the Texas Panhandle. Safety is a paramount concern. New hires attend a required 8-hour general training program that includes guidelines for safe operation of all heavy equipment.
After that, confined-space training is conducted by representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This is part of the mandatory Water Utility Safety course of the state regulatory body’s Wastewater Licensing program.
All of Terry’s employees must complete this annual certification program and occasional refresher and update courses. “We’re constantly upgrading or renewing our people’s certifications,” says Terry. “Depending on the position, that happens every two to three years. Vendors come in regularly to demonstrate the safety aspect of using their products and equipment. Each month, attendance is mandatory at a safety training film.”
