| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, standing water, uncertain footing, electrical hazards | Conduct a site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; verify lighting; mark uneven surfaces |
| Inspect tools, PPE, and monitoring equipment | Damaged gas monitor, faulty blower, worn tools | Calibrate gas monitor; check harnesses and winch; inspect tools and cords; replace defective items |
| Don required PPE | Sewer exposure, aerosols, chemical hazards | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective clothing, high visibility vest, and respirator if required |
| Test atmosphere at lift station | Hydrogen sulfide, methane, low oxygen, toxic gases | Use gas monitor at top, middle, and bottom of wet well; continue monitoring during entire operation |
| Lockout tagout electrical systems | Electric shock, sudden pump activation | Shut off power to pumps and controls; apply lockout tagout devices; verify zero energy before contact |
| Ventilate wet well or dry well | Toxic gases, oxygen deficiency | Use blower with ducting; ventilate entire space; monitor readings continuously |
| Open wet well or dry well hatch | Fall hazards, dropped objects, confined space risks | Use proper lifting techniques; ensure hatch is secured open; set barriers around opening |
| Set up tripod and retrieval system | Fall hazards, equipment failure | Position tripod securely; attach winch and full body harness; test retrieval system before any entry |
| Perform above ground maintenance | Hand tool injuries, chemical splashes | Replace fuses, clean screens, check floats from surface; avoid leaning into opening |
| Lower personnel or tools (if required) | Entrapment, fall hazards | Only authorized confined space entrants allowed; maintain communication with attendant; use controlled descent |
| Remove pumps for service | Heavy lifting, pinch points, splash hazards | Use hoist or crane; secure pump to lifting hook; keep workers clear of suspended loads |
| Clean pump and wet well components | Aerosolized contamination, chemical exposure | Use vactor truck or water jet tools; stay upwind of spray; wear face shield and gloves |
| Inspect electrical components | Shock hazards, energized circuits | Maintain lockout; use insulated tools; examine control panel for corrosion or damage |
| Perform repairs or replace equipment | Pinch points, dropping tools, contamination | Use proper lifting techniques; stage tools away from hatch; keep well ventilated |
| Reinstall pumps and floats | Heavy loads, entanglement | Hoist pump slowly; guide into rails; avoid hand placement between rails and pump |
| Restore power and test system | Unexpected start up, water surge | Stand clear during startup; activate pumps manually; monitor flow and alarms |
| Close and secure access hatches | Pinch points, dropped lids | Close hatches carefully; ensure latches are fully engaged; remove barriers |
| Clean and disinfect equipment and PPE | Cross contamination, chemical exposure | Rinse tools and boots; bag disposable items; wash hands thoroughly |
| Final site inspection | Residual hazards, loose tools, trip hazards | Verify equipment is functioning; remove all debris; ensure station is secure |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to moving vehicles | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Waterproof boots or waders if needed
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near pumps or blowers
Respirator when sewer gases or aerosols are present
Disposable coveralls for heavy contamination
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Stormwater, Drainage, and Waterways
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
Thank you to our primary sponsor, Roadwurx, which is a simple asset management platform for small public works and road departments.
| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, standing water, uncertain footing, electrical hazards | Conduct a site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; verify lighting; mark uneven surfaces |
| Inspect tools, PPE, and monitoring equipment | Damaged gas monitor, faulty blower, worn tools | Calibrate gas monitor; check harnesses and winch; inspect tools and cords; replace defective items |
| Don required PPE | Sewer exposure, aerosols, chemical hazards | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, protective clothing, high visibility vest, and respirator if required |
| Test atmosphere at lift station | Hydrogen sulfide, methane, low oxygen, toxic gases | Use gas monitor at top, middle, and bottom of wet well; continue monitoring during entire operation |
| Lockout tagout electrical systems | Electric shock, sudden pump activation | Shut off power to pumps and controls; apply lockout tagout devices; verify zero energy before contact |
| Ventilate wet well or dry well | Toxic gases, oxygen deficiency | Use blower with ducting; ventilate entire space; monitor readings continuously |
| Open wet well or dry well hatch | Fall hazards, dropped objects, confined space risks | Use proper lifting techniques; ensure hatch is secured open; set barriers around opening |
| Set up tripod and retrieval system | Fall hazards, equipment failure | Position tripod securely; attach winch and full body harness; test retrieval system before any entry |
| Perform above ground maintenance | Hand tool injuries, chemical splashes | Replace fuses, clean screens, check floats from surface; avoid leaning into opening |
| Lower personnel or tools (if required) | Entrapment, fall hazards | Only authorized confined space entrants allowed; maintain communication with attendant; use controlled descent |
| Remove pumps for service | Heavy lifting, pinch points, splash hazards | Use hoist or crane; secure pump to lifting hook; keep workers clear of suspended loads |
| Clean pump and wet well components | Aerosolized contamination, chemical exposure | Use vactor truck or water jet tools; stay upwind of spray; wear face shield and gloves |
| Inspect electrical components | Shock hazards, energized circuits | Maintain lockout; use insulated tools; examine control panel for corrosion or damage |
| Perform repairs or replace equipment | Pinch points, dropping tools, contamination | Use proper lifting techniques; stage tools away from hatch; keep well ventilated |
| Reinstall pumps and floats | Heavy loads, entanglement | Hoist pump slowly; guide into rails; avoid hand placement between rails and pump |
| Restore power and test system | Unexpected start up, water surge | Stand clear during startup; activate pumps manually; monitor flow and alarms |
| Close and secure access hatches | Pinch points, dropped lids | Close hatches carefully; ensure latches are fully engaged; remove barriers |
| Clean and disinfect equipment and PPE | Cross contamination, chemical exposure | Rinse tools and boots; bag disposable items; wash hands thoroughly |
| Final site inspection | Residual hazards, loose tools, trip hazards | Verify equipment is functioning; remove all debris; ensure station is secure |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to moving vehicles | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Waterproof boots or waders if needed
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near pumps or blowers
Respirator when sewer gases or aerosols are present
Disposable coveralls for heavy contamination