EUSR National Water Hygiene

 

The key message in the National Water Hygiene training is to protect the safety of water through good hygiene practices while working on restricted operations as defined in the technical guidance notes:

"Work which involves direct contact with untreated sources of underground water, with partially or fully treated water within water treatment works or with treated water, or any surface of an operational asset (including those temporarily out of use) which will itself be in contact with potable water at any stage in its distribution to the point where it is made available to consumers."

 

Subjects covered within the training session include:

- The premise that water is a food product and the public expect their water supply to have been treated properly so that it does not cause health problems.
- The importance of personal hygiene and identification of potential sources of contamination.
- Awareness of potential for contamination. Includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the need for clean boots.
- Vehicles - vehicles need to be kept clean and tidy and tools need to be separated. Awareness of where the vehicle has been taken before entering a treatment works e.g. fields, sewage treatment works etc.
- Multi-functional working - water and sewerage working is becoming common for some companies and the associated risks must be understood.
- Fuel, diesel and chemical contamination - any of these getting into the water could have detrimental affects.
- Pets could help to spread water borne diseases e.g. dogs, cats, horses etc - ensure that individuals do not wear the same footwear for work.
- Chlorine/disinfection, both in the water itself and other usage i.e. how chlorine is used to wash boots, clean tools and in repairs, and the correct disposal of chlorine solution.
- Awareness and usage surrounding approved products. The right substance for the job
- Awareness of the sampling and audit processes in place by various bodies.