Sewer cleaning is an essential task but can be dangerous. A recent tragedy, where three plumbers lost their lives in Ekurhuleni while unblocking a sewer, underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures in this field. According to Sebastian Werner, MD at Werner Pumps, a local manufacturer of high-pressure jetting and vacuuming trucks often used in sewer maintenance, the risks of such tragedies occurring can be significantly lowered by adopting proper safety protocols and using the right equipment for the job.
“Most people don’t spend a lot of time thinking about sewer maintenance, but those of us who work in the industry know how dangerous it can be,” Werner says. “Common risks include toxic gases, such as methane and hydrogen sulphide, as well as biological hazards, and confined spaces. It’s critical to address these risks to protect workers and to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety standards.”
Werner says that there are several safety measures that need to be considered whenever undertaking sewer maintenance or cleaning. These include:
- The importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gas detectors and harnesses.
- The role of training in hazard recognition and emergency response.
- Implementation of confined space entry protocols and ventilation systems.
- Regular maintenance and inspection of equipment to ensure reliability.
“Of course, big cleaning and maintenance jobs require the right equipment, such as jetting trucks, and these need to be correctly operated too,” says Werner. “Modern trucks have built-in features to help with this, such as gas monitors, and you can also customise your truck unit to ensure it meets the demands of the types of jobs you tend to do. There are also features available, such as remote operation, that allow operators to work from a safe distance, minimising direct exposure to hazards.”
He suggests that investing in the right equipment not only improves efficiency and reduces downtime, but also prevents accidents and prevents fines for non-compliance.
“At Werner Pumps, we provide operator training with every truck we hand over to a customer because we believe safety always comes first,” he says. “We also supply a range of safety equipment, such as a special tripod device that can be used to more safely lower or lift the operator. We use these in our own rental units too. What happened in Ekurhuleni was a heart-breaking situation and we are doing our best to ensure that none of our customers will ever experience something similar.”
