IS: 11972 - 1987 Indian Standard CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN ENTERING A SEWERAGE SYSTEM Public Health Engineering Equipment Sectional Committee, BDC 40 Chairmen Representing Da BB. Suxpanesaie Univenity of Madras, Madras Mentors (THE) Ministry of Urban Development, New Delhi wreawe Apeisen (PHE) ( Aluraate) Suh G8 Canvonany “Bogner India Limited, New Beth ‘Siu D. K, Govosane Gee'Miller snd Company, Calewtn ‘itta N. Many xan ( Alernte Sunt. Darvancant ‘Madras Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Cuinr Examen ( Orme ‘rom sx Marencsmes ) ( Allrnte) Dn Avowe De Jadavpur Universiy, Caleutia Derurr’ Momcwat Comus- Municipal Corporation of Greater Bombay, Bombey Cams ‘CSrwenror) (Caleraie 1) allem Paar (dene aa EXNICS Choon ‘yaa aod ‘Gener Eagivecriog Pvt Led, Sunt M, Rave Saasean (dente) Suatk'k-Gasonn (Aerie Health Engiwering Department, Govt of Haryana, Chandigarh sun MN Stsntn (Ateneo i Shu 88. Ravn Public "at Eagiteton ‘Enginttring Department, Govt of Sunt R. A. Knesoea Sie G, 8. Racuvasona ( Allernate Suar AR. Min "Public Health Ragoeating Departsent, Govt of ‘Jaime and Kashmir, Sinagat ‘Swat G, M, Kaseea ( Alene) (Conti on page 2) © Copyright 1987 BURFAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS Thi pubiton fs protected under the Indian Copyright det (XIV. of 1957 ) and rduction in whole or in Part by any means except with wetten permision of the Publier shall be deemed to be aa iniriagement of copyright under the said Act18: 11972 - 1987 pin ee a oe apenaa0 Saeagmaee ore TN cetera ry naoe oom on aang een gg Bnet ee tn ete Peal ERE vhig case l peta ) pirctorate General of Techaleal Devel DE) gee gens ns boar ‘Suar K. P, Doman ( Alternate ) eee olan nests re hE ec ae ae mat Ay aa Swui 8. A. Joona ( Alienate) ‘Smar Kisuons K:Ssnawint Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmadabad Smut A. Sauvanas Publ “Healh Engineering Departmen, Govt of ‘Karaacaka. Ha Sut A.K, Ser National Environmental Engineering Research iat, ‘Sunt R. Pamanesrvane ( Alternate) a ea s Teatistion of Bogner ( India), Calcutta Gandy Filters (nda) Limited, Bombay , ‘indie Construction Co Li Bomba ‘Sunt C.E-S. Rao (Altemte) ‘oa ou ~ 7 Sys 6. Rana ctor Cones, WIS ( Eafe Monber Director ( Civ Engg ) 2 Sertry Sun A. K. Aeasmue Deputy Director ( Civ Engg ), BIS ( Continnd on page 9)I : 11972-1987 Indian Standard CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN ENTERING A SEWERAGE SYSTEM 0 FOREWORD 0.1 This Indian Standard was adopted by the Indian Standards Institution on 27 March 1987, after the draft finalized by the Public Health Engineering Equipment Seciional Committee had been approved by the Civil Engineering Division Couneil. 0.2 Personnel engaged in operation and maintenance of sewerage systems including sewage pumping stations are exposed to different types of occupational hazards like physical injuries, injuries caused by chemical land radioactive wastes, infections caused by pathogenic organisms in Sewage and dangers inherant with explosive or noxious vapours or oxyxen iciency. 0.3 The health and safety of personnel canbe safrguarded to + great ‘extent by use of safety equipment and by taking precautions appropriate french hacardou codon, Tt is deaable ogre shorourh Enowiedge 10 the sewermen of the equipments being used by them. This standard hhas been prepared with a view to provide some basic guidance for selection of sewermen and proper job instruction for safe working in a sewerage system and itis hoped it would be found useful by local bodies, public health engineering departments and other engaged in this eld. 1. SCOPE 1.1 This standard lays down guidelines for selection of sewermen and safe system of work in sewerage system, 2, SELECTION OF SEWERMEN 2.1 The selection of prospective employees for the sewerage and sewaye tlisposal Tunetions should take into account the duties they will be expected (o perform. Those duties may be divided into two categories: 8) Duties not requiring entry into confined spaces, and 'b) Duties requiring entry into confined spaces. 8IS : 11972 - 1987 selecting sewermen depending on the type of duties‘ ‘Appendix A. 3. PRECAUTIONS 3.1 Precautions Against Gas Hazards — When a sewer or ‘manhole is required to be entered for cleaning or clearing an obstruc- tion, where dangerous gas or oxygen deficiencies may be present, che following precautions shall be taken: a) Allow no smoking or open flames and guard against spark; b) Brect warning signs; ©) Use only gasproof electric lighting equipment or mirror for reflection of light; 4) Test the atmosphere for noxious gases and deficiencies. ) eae ef ecee! rmguon Che saci “ond ediseasttha manhole should be agitated with the help of rod or any other suitable instrument for trapped gases and the manhole should be checked for noxious gases and oxygen deficiencies, ¢) If the atmosphere is normal, workmen may enter with a safety belt attached and with at Jeast two men available at top. For extended jobs, the gas tests shall be repeated every three minutes while men aré in the sewer; £) Ifoxygen deficiency or noxious gas is found, the structure shall be ventilated with pure air by keeping open at least one manhole cover each on upstream and downstream side for quick exist of toxic gases or by forced ventilation using a portable blower. The sas tess shall be repeated before entering. » Adequate ventilation Shall be maintained during the work and the gas test shall be repeated every three minutes. 2) If the gas or oxgen deficiency is present and it is not practicable {to ventilate adequately before workers enter hose masks shall bbe worn and extreme care shall be taken 10 avoid all sources of ignition, Workers shall be taught how to use the hose equipment. In these cases, they shall always use permissible safety lights (‘not ordinary flash lights) rubber boots or non-sparking shoes nd nonsparking tools h) Workmen descending manhole shaft to inspect or clean sewers shall wy each ladcler step or rung carefully before putting the fall weight on it to guard against insecure fastening due to ‘corrosion of the rung at the manhole wall. When work is going ‘on. in cleep sewers, at least two men shall be available for lifting workers from the manhole in the event of serious injury; and 4IS : 11972 - 1987 |) Portable air blowers, for ventilating manhole, are recommended for all tank, pit or manhole work where there is cer presence of ‘oxious gat, vapours or oxygen deficiency. roter of these. air blowers shal ber wethryron an ane: Proof type, ‘compression ~ igntions diesel type (without Toarking’ plug), These. shall be placed not less than 2 m away from the opening and oa the leeward side protected from wind fo that they wil not serve asa source of ignition for” any inflammable gas which may be present. Forced type ventilation Should be provided by Vlower located ac ground. level with Saitable fexlble ducting to diplace out air from the rane. 32 Precautions Against Infection —The personnel working in sewerage maintenance systems are prope to infections and hence the Following precautions should be taken: ‘a) The workers should be educated about the hazards of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera through sewage and tetanus through euts and wounds. Cuts and grazes should be covered with waterproof plasters. Effective immunization of workers against diseases such as typhoid, cholera, tetanus, etc, should be ‘done by vaccination; }) The importance of personal hygiene should be emphasized and the worker should be instructed to keep finger nails short and well trimmed, wash hands with soap and hot water before taking food or smoking and to Keep fingers out of nose, mouth and eyes, because the hands carry most infection; ©) Use of rubber gloves shall be insisted so that sewage or sludge does not come in direct contact with hand, Before starting ‘work, skin likely to be exposed to sewage should be covered with barrier cream, 4) The worker should be provided with a complete change of work clothes to be worn during working hours. Gum boots should also be provided for the workers; ©) When the work is completed, thoroughly wash all contaminated parts of the body. 4. SAFETY EQUIPMENT 4.1 The sewermen should be equipped with the following equipment for his own protection: 4) Safety helmet preferably with cap lamp ( explosion proof); b) Safety belt; ©) Protective gloves;1S: 11972-1987 4) Overall, heavy coat or other heavy duty protective clothing preferably waterproof; e) Knee or thigh length safety boots with toe protection and antispark Ht £) Gas masks and bresthing apparatus; 2) Eye protectors; 1) Portable lighting equipment; 4) Non-aparking tools i) Portable air blowers; 1m) Gas test equipments, such as safety candle lamps, Davy's safety lamps, lead acetate papers and electronic gas detectors; and n) First aid equipment. 5. PROCEDURE FOR WORKING IN A SEWER 5.1 To ensure proper safety standards, the following steps should be Bilowed: STEP 1 — Before Leaving the Depot 4) Collect and check all safety equipment; and ) Check working location with supervisor and list all known or potential hazards. STEP 2 —On Arrival atthe Site a) Set up adequate road markings; and b) Ventilate the system ( guarding all openings ) on a sewer open up, i) The working mankole, Next manhole upstream, and iii) Next manhole downstream. Nore —This is minimum requirement. Use may be made of sic blowers, aecesary. STEP 53 — Entry Procedure ) Check for gas ( if in doubt — stay out ); b) Tie safety belt and rope before entering; ©) Check ladders, step iron, etc, for deftets (if in doubt, use a rope attached to the safety belt); 4) Keep safety ropes, spare lamps, breathing sets, close © to working area for immediate use in case of emergency; and 64S : 11972 - 1987 ©) If considered safe, enter sewer. Nera In dep serch ae vel in she sever shold be cece fre STEP 4 — Working Inside the Sewer a) Check the gas every three minutes, and b) Every three minutes the topmen calls to the man working in the sewer. Every message shall be acknowledged. STEP 5 — Completion of Work ) Top men informed and ready; b) Ganger (normally last_men out) checks that all tools ropes, et, re Out and that the sewer is clear; ©) Replace all grids, guardrails, manholes covers; ) Road signs to be cemoved and site cleared; e) Supervisor to be informed that work is completed; and £) Wash thoroughly before eating or smoking. 6. GAS EMERGENCY 6: Ifa gas emergency occurs everyone should immediately put on their eacape sets ( breathing apparatus ) and alarm raised. 6.2 The top men are trained rescuers and they should down the rescue sett _and await the men working in sewer to come out." The top men shall attempt to rescue the man inside sewer with all the equipment at their disposal, 6.3 IF there in cawualty, he shouldbe propped up out of water in s comfortable position. Immediately call the emergency’ services (Ambulance, fire brigade). When the victim has gas mask put on if he is breathing a rescuer should always be with him because he may vomit thereby choking the supply of oxygen. 6.4 Guidelines for giving first-< a) Remove him to fresh air as soon as possible; ) Apply artificial respi rgen resuscitation if he is not breathing. If lable, apply mouth to mouth breathing; an c) Keep him lying down and wait for an ambulance. id to a gas victim are given below:IS : 11972 - 1987 APPENDIX A ( Clause 2.2 ) GUIDANCE FOR SELECTION OF SEWERMEN Acl. REQUIREMENTS FOR DUTIES NOT REQUIRING ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACE Acl1 No specific requirements except a routine medical examination dial be made. ‘Thote withthe following diabiies shall not be selected as any of the disease involves risks to the health and safety of both the prospective employee and/or other employees: a) History of fits, blackouts, fainting attacks; 'b) Chronic skin disease; and ©) Meniers disease or diseases involving loss of balance. ‘4-2, REQUIREMENTS FOR DUTIES REQUIRING ENTRY INTO CONFINED SPACE ‘A-2.1 Persons considered for employment in confined spaces. shall be physically fit and capable of understanding training given. Those with the undernoted disabilities shall not be recruited {or this type of work and those who contract these should cease to be employed in this capacity: a) A history of fits, blackouts or fainting attacks; b) A history of heart disease or disorder; ©) High blood pressure; 4) Asthma, bronchitis or a shortness of breath on exert ©) Deafness; 1) Meniers disease or disease involving giddiness or loss of balance; 2) Clanstropholia or nervous or mental disorder; 1h) Back pain or joint trouble that would limit mobility in confined spaces; 4) Deformity or disease of the lower limbs &) Chronic skin m) Serious defects in eyesight; and 1) Lack of sense of smell A-2.1.1 Employees should be medically re-examined at reasonable intervals, taking into account the person's age and duties.{5 : 11972 - 1987 (Conia fom page 2) ‘Sewer Cleaning Equipment Subcommittee, BDC 40 : 3 ‘Sur VO Vanbanasant 9/98, st Floor, WEA Karol Bag "New Dell Meters Sant A. Ge Bits Snir N.C. vanta ( Altera) Cigar" onan (Sswinucn Municipal Corporation of Grete Yombay, Hominy Durere Coser Boner CSzwsn act Orsnaziow ) ( Alirate) sua 8: Bava ‘cist Mewopotian Water Supply and Sewers a eee Drusoron( Commnvaney os Sims § Garowos iirc and General Engineer Ld, Bombay su aa Re Health Department, Govt of sR. Gao ie eagnering Department, Govt Chania Mur¥.2, Mana (Reso) aba Tele Lite, New Delhi Sia UCR. Moma Gildan Aewopoltan’ Development Autorty, Sine Ras Kevan test Nigam, Lucknow san 8 Yannancra ""™" Maniiat Corerton of Det, Des Rebanaesraree "hm Sade Winer Sup and Drage Boas gual SA oom (dtr SEER Taaticcnsos” Sengucre. Won baggy and Rowen’ Bos, ‘Suni H. 8. Porsaxmersaona ( AlteaieINTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS ( SI UNITS ) Base Units Quastire User Srnot Length mere = Mas ‘ilogram ks Time second : Electric current ampere a ‘Theemodynainie kelvia K temperature ‘Luminous intensity candela ed ‘Amount of substance ‘mole ‘mol Supplementary Unite Qvanrere Une Smenot, Plane angle adian rad Solid angle sterndian = Derived Unite Qvaneery Um Smeno, Deranziox Force ‘newton N 1 N= ligne Energy joule si 1 JeiNe Power wate w 1 Wah Flux weber wo Wo = Va Flux dessity cesla T 1 T= 1 Wojet Frequency hers He 1 He = Lefer Bleciric conductance siemens 8 1 s=1av leccromotive force vole v 1 v=IWwiA Premue, stress seal Pa 1 Pam 1 Nim