Water Treatment: OIT Safety and Maintenance

Introduction to Water and Wastewater Operations

• This study guide provides background information to help prepare to become a certified operator; it lays a solid foundation of important concepts for the Operator-In-Training (OIT) examination for water treatment, water distribution and/or water distribution and supply, wastewater treatment, or wastewater collection.
• This guide aims to familiarize future operators with common terms and concepts in the water/wastewater treatment industry; it is directed towards people with little or no exposure to the water and wastewater industry
• The study guide applies to all four Operator-In-Training examinations, but not all chapters apply to all types of OIT license/certificate

Using The Study Guides

• Thoroughly reading text, answering self-study questions, and reviewing incorrect answers is recommended
• The glossary in Appendix D provides definitions for commonly used terms related to key concepts relating to protection of public health and the environment

Overview of Operator Responsibilities

• Qualified water treatment and/or water distribution operators are responsible for the delivery of drinking water treated to a safe standard for human health and in quantities sufficient for fire flow requirements
• Wastewater collection and treatment operators are responsible for the safe collection of wastewater and its treatment before release to the natural environment preventing harm to aquatic life
• All operators play a key role in protecting public health and the environment

Code of Conduct

• The Code of Conduct for Water and Wastewater Operator Certification and Exams is at the end of the manual
• It must be submitted before writing the certification exam; it outlines what Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) expects during the process, defines unethical behavior, and lists consequences of non-adherence
• A signed copy of the code is needed for exam sessions

Workplace Safety

• This section applies to all four OIT categories: water treatment, water distribution and supply, wastewater treatment and wastewater collection
• An important aspect is safety. Workers under 25 or new hires (less than 6 months' experience) are three times more likely to sustain an injury.
• There are no accidents; injuries and occupational illnesses, injuries and occupational illnesses in the workplace can be virtually eliminated by following proper safety procedures/policies and standard operating procedures

Workplace Hazards

• Treatment plants or distribution/collection systems are potentially dangerous places; there are two main classifications of injuries including physical injuries and occupational illnesses

Physical Injuries

• Sprains and strains are a common injury mostly affecting the back, ankle, knee, etc
• Causes include overexertion, twisting, slips, and falls mostly on unsafe/uneven ground conditions and even dim lighting
• Bruises, cuts, broken bones, concussions are a common injury affecting the head, arms, hands, etc
• This can be caused by trauma to the brain as blood vessels break due to muscle or joint injury
• Burns are also common injuries that affect Skin (Hands, Arms, Face, Torso, Legs, Feet), Eyes and mucous membrane mostly from Fire; Sunburn; Chemical Burns (Caustic Soda, Nitric Acid, Lime, Sodium Hypochlorite and Sodium Bisulphite), Arc Flash
• Dermatology Eczema, etc. can be caused by chemical irritants like Alum, Lime, Polymer, etc
• Breathing Asphyxiation can be caused by inhalation of toxic fumes like Carbon Monoxide, Chlorine Gas, Hydrogen Sulphide Gas, Ammonia, Low Oxygen
• Tendon Damage/Strains, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be caused by repetitive motions

Pressurized equipment

• Working with pressurized equipment and pressurized piping is a common cause for numerous injuries, including bruises, cuts, broken bones, concussions
• Examples include steam boilers, associated pipe work, pressurized hot-water boilers, air compressors, air receivers, storage tanks, and chemical reaction vessels

Critical Injury Definition

• Places life in jeopardy
• Produces unconsciousness
• Results in a substantial loss of blood
• Involves a fracture of an arm or a leg, but not a finger or a toe
• Involves in the amputation of an arm or a leg, hand or foot, but not a finger or a toe
• Consists of burns to a major portion of the body
• Causes the loss of sight in an eye

Occupational Illnesses

• Auditory Diseases such as Loss of Hearing, Ear Infections, Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be caused by Exposure to loud noises or constant less loud noise as well as ear plug usage
• Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (White Hand) can be caused by Exposure to vibrating equipment such as drills, jack hammers
• Chemical Agents causing immediate or acute health affects mostly affects Skin, Eyes, Lungs, & Stomach caused by Strong acids & alkalis: Ammonia, Chlorine, Sulfuric acid
• Chemical Agents causing long-term or chronic health issues (cancers, impact on reproductive functions, respiratory, eye or skin sensitization or irritation) caused by heavy metals (lead, chromium), asbestos, radiation, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)' Silica dusts, arsenic, cyanide
• Microbiological Agents causing severe diarrhea / vomiting (and subsequent de-hydration), GI Tract Issues & Organ failure is caused by Bacteria (e-Coli, Cholera), Protozoa (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), Viruses (Hepatitis, AIDS)
• Tendon Damage/Strains, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by Repetitive Motion

Protection against occupational diseases

• The best protection against exposure to occupational diseases is elimination or avoidance of the causing agent; workers can use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) used properly.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• It is important to use safety equipment only as it is meant to be used always inspect before using it to ensure that it is safe.
• Includes Hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, face shields, rubber aprons/gloves, approved safety footwear, dust masks, traffic vests or protective clothing such as coveralls, SCBA, and ear protection
• Eyes and face protection is required at all times when possibility of injuries exists from hand tools, power tools, welding equipment, chemicals, pressurized equipment, etc.
• Gloves should be worn for handling materials, sharp objects, chemicals, or electrical equipment. Use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when hazards such as chlorine, painting or dusty areas are encountered.

Falls and Environments

• Fall protection equipment and scaffolds can protect against accidents due to falls

• A fall arrest system must be incorporated into any job where the worker may fall greater than 3 m or 10 feet

• At elevations over 3m, wear a 5-point safety harness and use a proper fall arrest system

• Spills must be immediately cleaned up

• Previously pressurized stored energy devices must be managed properly to ensure the safety of operators.

Waterborne Disease

• Workers in wastewater treatment plants are exposed to hazards of waterborne disease.
• Infections reach the body via mouth, nose, eyes, and ears. Therefore, washing your hands before eating, smoking or using the washroom is required Gloves are required when working with the plant or equipment.

Employer protection for workers

• In general, employers exercise due diligence with vaccinations, specifically tetanus and hepatitis. Most employers will pay for these vaccinations if not covered by OHIP

Spills & Reporting

• Spills fall under Part X of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA)
• The EPA (Ontario Regulation 675/98 is regarding the discharge with classification & Reporting Exemption) determines the reporting regulations
• The discharge person or material owner needs to contact the Spill Report Action Center- SAC or local environmental protection officer after cleaning up

Hand tools and Electricity

• Electrical equipment is tested after repairs or maintenance
• workers must maintain control when testing underground circuits.

Arc Flash

• It can cause Burns, Fires, Flying debris, metal objects, Blast pressure exceeding 2000 PSI
• Corrosive/Sound blast >140 Dba gun firing; the only thing that will stop this, is to avoid making contact
• Heat upwards of 20,000 Degrees C

Fire Safety

• Fire Extinguishers must be available in all locations were fire hazards exist; Operators should have their class training and the proper way to use the extinguishers
• Fires may result in the creation of toxic gases, never put out the chemical fire if you are not properly trained

Confined Spaces

• Confined Spaces means fully or partial enclosed spaces, hazards may occur
• A confined space presents danger to water systems; there are accumulation of hazardous materials
• If you see a worker you think is in the confined space, contact the rescue team and assistants.

Before entering a confined space do the following:

• Develop a Hazard assessment
• Train the employees who may be exposed
• provide entry training to the employees
• Develop entry plans for all the employees

Trenches & Excavations

• Before starting the dig, have the water tested by specialist
• Call Ontario to have services tested near the site

The Occupational Health and Safety Act

• Regulations govern and are responsible for your own health and safety in the work place
• As of July 1st, 2014 everyone in Ontario needs to have new Ontario occupation health and safety training cerification
• You have the right to refuse work

Workplace, Partnership, and Workers Rights'

• Workers and employers share responsibility for Occupational Health and Safety. A corporation has the safety in their hands
• JHSC has a role to help by working the health and safety requirements
• The right to participate, refuse work, and shut down.

Duties of Workers

• Workers must safely to comply with the acts of regulation
• Use safety equipment, report missing or defective equipment
• Report workplace hazards
• Comply with the act

Act Enforcement

• The ministry of labour has the authority to inspect any workplace, investigate a refusal
• Employers and supervisors must cooperate with the inspector
• the ministry of labour can approve the requirements by using proper safety equipment and following all protocols to stay safe

WHMIS 2015

• Everyone working has to have training for a cleaner workplace.
• All chemicals have to be 2 years labelled or more

Globally harmonized system for classification

• Based of physical or chemical properties for example Corrosion
• Based on your ability to protect yourselves- irritation

Legislation

• As an operator, you must be more familiar with the legislation particularly those parts which set out the duties and responsibilities of operators, this chapter provide summary of relevant legislation including Ministry of energy
• Drinking water and wastewater treatment and distribution are legislated under four acts the Safe Drinking Water Act 2002
• The following sections provide brief review of current legislation and regulatory requirements for drinking water and wastewater systems in Ontario, SDWA 2002

Operators Responsibilities

• All drinking water system is on areas that are open to the public which must have certificates from trainees
• The SDWA and its regulations specifically specify the rules and restrictions for medical officers.

Test Responsibilities

• Samples tested by the system, examine results, check the equipment, and make sure you take action
• Perform chlorine resistance

The minimum treatment requirements are

• For groundwater disinfection can be used and chemical filtration can also be used

Adverse Test Results

• To follow up with a written notice for adverse results or results that do not meet the requirements
• Include a spill report

Wastewater system

• The MOECC has to check objectives and set water quality levels
• Water Resources Act 53 sets legal requirements for owners when facilities obtain environmental compliance
• Legal requirements maintain chemical and physical parameters

Certification Requirements

• operators of wastewater cannot go uncertified, they need licence and experience
• Operator certifications includes water treatment and distribution, wastewater collections and treatment

Ontario Water

• Ontario Water certificate classes are split into 4 classes each needing its own examination and test

ORO and OIC

• Overall Responsible Operator - ORO an operator who holds a license. The person is available to direct others on the system and to respond effectively
• Operator in Charge (OIC) - is trained to make day to day decisions

Basic and Applied Mathematics

Arithmetic skills including adding, subtracting, multiplication, and diversion of whole numbers, fractions, percentage should be reviewed

• Operators need to calculate areas and volumes of reservoirs, lagoons, pipes, and cylindrical tanks. All vessels used in water and wastewater treatment. operators need to be familiar The metric conversion, areas, and volumes

Formulas Used

• The square feet formula - ft2- means square feet and volume means cubic meters
• Rectangle is Length, Width and Times length and Width equals area
• Circle area = Pi or Radius squared
• Metric system, metric prefixes represent exponents or powers of 10 to express number

Flow

• Flow = cubic Meters per second and (L/S) is Liters
• Pressure for pascals - KPA is in Kilopascals
• Power means W - Kilowatt is KW

Area Conversions

• 1 m3 - 1,000 m3, one day is 1.40.
• Volume is 3D dimensional object is the amount of Space

Area for shapes

• Formula
• Rectangle = Length multiplied by Width and W and L

Figures and Data

• Operators use graphs to present data that is organized and easily to read

Explore the importance of workplace safety for operators in training. Learn about equipment maintenance and troubleshooting for efficient operations. Also, understand how applied mathematics and science contribute to effective water distribution.