Working With Sewage n Introduction n Are you at risk? n Protecting yourself n If you become ill

Sewage n Work activities may bring you into contact with sewage products n These products may make you ill n Illness is usually mild gastroenteritis n There is a risk of developing a more serious disease n Most illnesses go unreported

Sewage You could become ill by coming into contact with micro-organisms present in the sewage - n Bacteria n Viruses n Parasites

What are the health risks? n Gastroenteritis n Weils disease (Leptospirosis) n Hepatitis n Asthma n Skin/Eye infections n inflammation of the lungs

How you become infected è eating, drinking, smoking, wiping the face with contaminated gloves è cuts, scratches or wounds and some organisms enter the body through the eyes è either as dust or mist n Hand-to-mouth contact n Skin contact n Breathing

Are you at risk? n On site at a water treatment works n On a site with a high rat population n On a site near portable toilets n On a site near fresh water n Handling sewage equipment in the works

Are you at risk? n Animal urine - particularly rats n All freshwater courses n Dead animals - small rodents & birds n Soil where animals have been n Most likely in warm weather

Protecting yourself n Understand the risks n Understand how you may be infected n Wear protective clothing n Avoid sewage if possible n Apply good personal hygiene n Cleanse all wounds & cover n Change out of contaminated clothing n Clean equipment & boots etc on site

If you become ill n Report any flu-like illness or fever to your doctor n Report any persistent chest problems to your doctor n Report any illness to your employer n Tell your doctor you have been working with sewage

Top Risk Occupations & Hobbies l Water Leisure Industry Workers l Agricultural Workers l Fishermen & Water Sports Enthusiasts l Plumbers l Construction Workers l Sewage Workers l Forestry/Countryside Workers

Sewage - recap n Most illnesses are mild n Most illnesses are caught through hand-to- mouth contact n If in doubt - see your doctor