Working with s e w a g e

The health h a z a rd s

AdditionalinformationYou or your doctor can get furtherinformation from the Employment MedicalAdvisory Service at any HSE area office.

This pocket card contains notes on goodpractice which are not compulsory butwhich you may find helpful in consideringwhat you need to do.

This card is available in priced packs (20 cardsand two employers’ guides INDG198) fromHSE Books, ISBN 0 7176 0987 1. Single copiesof both publications are also available freefrom HSE Books.

HSE priced and free publications are availableby mail order from HSE Books, PO Box 1999,Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA Tel: 01787 881165Fax: 01787 313995 Website:www.hsebooks.co.uk (HSE priced publicationsare also available from bookshops and freeleaflets can be downloaded from HSE’swebsite: www.hse.gov.uk.)

For information about health and safety ringHSE’s Infoline Tel: 08701 545500Fax: 02920 859260 e-mail:hseinformationservices@natbrit.com or write toHSE Information Services, Caerphilly BusinessPark, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.

© Crown copyright This publication may befreely reproduced, except for advertising,endorsement or commercial purposes. Firstpublished 2/96. Please acknowledge thesource as HSE.

C200 INDG197 Reprinted 4/04Printed and published by the Health and Safety Executive

Are you at risk?Workers whose activities bring them intocontact with sewage and sewage productsare at risk of contracting a work-related illness.

The majority of illnesses are relatively mildcases of gastroenteritis, but potentially fataldiseases, such as leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)and hepatitis, are also reported to HSE.

However, not all cases are reported becausepeople often fail to recognise the linkbetween illness and work.

How to protectyourself■ Make sure that you understand the risks to

health and the ways in which you canpick up infections.

■ Use safe systems of work and wear theprotective equipment that is provided.

■ Report damaged equipment and get itreplaced.

■ Avoid becoming contaminated withsewage.

■ Avoid breathing in sewage dust or spray.

■ Do not touch your face or smoke, eat ordrink, unless you have washed your handsand face thoroughly with soap and water.

■ Cleanse all exposed wounds, howeversmall, and cover with a sterile waterproofdressing.

■ Change out of contaminated clothingbefore eating, drinking or smoking.

■ If you suffer from a skin problem, seekmedical advice before working with sewage.

■ Clean contaminated equipment on site.Do not take contaminated clothing homefor washing. Your employer should dealwith this.

If you become ill■ Consult your doctor in the event of flu-like

illness or fever, particularly whereassociated with severe headache and skininfections. Show your pocket card to thedoctor.

■ Seek medical advice if there are persistentchest symptoms, particularly if consistentwith asthma or alveolitis (inflammation ofthe lung).

■ Report any of the above illnesses to youremployer, who should investigate anywork-related link.