Emerging hazards and innovative solutions for water utility worker safety

By Gen Handley

Emerging occupational hazards in the water utilities industry
    On a regular basis, water utility workers can potentially face diverse spectrum of safety hazards that range from slips and falls on wet surfaces to invisible biological hazards, waterborne pathogens and life-threatening viruses such as hepatitis A and E, polio, and norovirus.
    But there are also several emerging safety risks that are not as commonly recognized but deserve as much attention as the more common hazards, if not more, in some cases — such as environmental and psychological stressors. In some cases, these hazards may overlap with the more common work hazards like biological hazards.

Urban infrastructure challenges
    Travelling into urban areas, these workers can experience specific challenges working alone in confined spaces, traffic issues, as well as aging and collapsing structures and tanks — all of which present their own unique safety hazards and risks the employer must deal with.

Water entrapment risks
    Utility workers inspecting and repairing storm pipes, culverts or canals can be trapped and pinned within these structures, especially during after heavy rain fall; or they fall into enclosed bodies of water and drown. Water entrapment can be the result of sudden river flooding (which is increasing), trench collapses, and sudden water surges.

Biological and chemical risks
    Those who know the water utility industry will understand that workers must face the risk of chemical and biological hazards — or biohazards — within the water they work around. But water utility workers are experiencing high exposures to particular chemical hazards like hydrogen sulfide which killed a utility worker and his wife when he was checking on a water pump. They are also experiencing higher exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), which is highlighted as a major concern in the American Water Works Association’s (AWWA)2025 State of the Water Industry Report.

Climate, environmental and psychological stressors
    Water utility workers are becoming exposed to more external pressures including extreme climate variability, extreme temperatures and heat, as well as added emotional stress from work shortages and an aging workforce with insufficient recruitment of young workers also identified as one of the major emerging challenges in the AWWA’s report.

Overlooked hazards
    Additionally, there are several hazards that are often overlooked, but are definitely worth mentioning.

Low-level chronic chemical exposure
    Working around toxic chemicals for long periods of time can lead to health problems like respiratory health from exposure. Over time, disinfection chemicals, disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and treatment additives can create long-term health issues.

Noise-induced hearing loss
    Also over long periods of time, utility workers can be exposed to subtle, damaging noises, slowing creating hearing loss if not provided the proper PPE and hearing protection.

Vector-borne diseases
    These types of diseases are most commonly associated with exposure to mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents. However, they are also presenting this new risk to workers who can be bitten while working in the woods – particularly the risk of tick-borne diseases – as well as vector-borne diseases increasing in urban “green” centers and areas in the United States.

Increased public interaction
    There is also more public interaction between water utility workers because they typically are the first contact when a problem arises. Also in this digital age, customers expect quick answers and personalized service, which often falls to utility field staff, not just call centers. Psychological stress can result from public interactions because workers may face verbal abuse or threats from frustrated residents during service disruptions.

Hazards when working alone
    In addition to working alone in confined spaces and structures like tanks and tunnels, water utility workers are frequently travelling and mobile, alone, and isolated, without direct supervision. These unique circumstances can present unique safety hazards and challenges that include:
    • Delayed rescue or long emergency response times can turn minor work incidents into major, life-threatening crises.
    • Serious safety and health issues can be missed when not monitored remotely through technologies, devices, or check-in protocols.
    • Lone workers experience increased stress and psychological strain during and following hostile encounters with clients and the public, or medical emergencies.

The Triad of Safety — A holistic framework: physical, psychological, and environmental
    With such a range of different serious hazards to deal with, maintaining the safety of a mobile team of water utility workers can be a challenge – in addition to maintaining compliance with local safety legislation and regulations. However, it is a very feasible challenge with some planning around the three key areas of safety.

    1. Physical safety
    The first focus is on the physical safety of water utility work, which entails providing proper PPE, safety training, and safety protocols based on hazard assessments of the physical work environment.

    2. Psychological safety
    Equally as important, the psychological safety of the employees can be proactively protected through resources such as mental health support programs and lone worker monitoring programs; it is a common myth that lone worker safety is completely about physical danger.

    3. Environmental safety
    Environmental safety includes all external factors and considerations for the person. This can entail climate and weather, air and water quality monitoring, ergonomic tools, and safe worksite design.

Innovative solutions and best practices
    These areas are best approached with current safety technologies and platforms, regular training and education, as well as strong safety policies and a solid culture around it.

Technology integration
    There are a number of options for safety technologies beneficial to water utility workers, including safety apps, fall detection wearables, advanced GPS monitoring, and lone worker technology which help protect workers in this industry in different ways.

Training and education
    Provide regular safety training sessions and the team and culture will benefit. Depending on the organization structure, consider both in-person and online options, which boost safety and engagement throughout the company.

Policy and culture
    Start with a strong safety policy that’s developed by leadership and that openly supports a safety-first culture; leadership commitment is important. Create a strong safety culture by encouraging hazard and risk reporting.

Big picture safety will require comprehensive water utility worker safety
    While strong occupational safety is rooted in preparation and technology, the emerging approach will require a more comprehensive one due to the diverse hazards and risks that water utility workers potentially face. However, in this case, comprehensive does not mean complicated. By focusing on the triad of the utility worker’s safety – physical, psychological, and environmental – through strong safety technology and culture, their well-being can be protected, so that they can remain safe and the water can keep flowing.