| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, overhead lines, pedestrians, uneven surfaces | Conduct site assessment; establish MUTCD compliant work zone; identify hazards like low wires and soft shoulders; assign lookout |
| Inspect vactor truck and equipment | Damaged hoses, worn nozzles, hydraulic leaks, clogged filters, malfunctioning alarms | Conduct full pre trip inspection; test boom, suction hose, jetter system, water pump, vacuum blower, lights, and beacons |
| Don required PPE | Chemical exposure, flying debris, noise hazards, contaminated water | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, high visibility vest, hearing protection, and waterproof PPE when needed |
| Position truck and set parking brake | Backing hazards, poor positioning, roll away risk | Use spotter when backing; park on stable ground; chock wheels; activate beacons |
| Deploy boom and hose | Pinch points, hose swing, boom drift | Keep crew clear of moving boom; operate slowly; check that hydraulic system is stable; avoid overhead wires |
| Establish exclusion zone | Unauthorized personnel entering danger zone | Use cones, tape, and signage; mark drop zone and hose operating path; keep pedestrians and crew clear |
| Open catch basin, manhole, or vault | Falling lids, pinch injuries, exposure to contaminated air | Use appropriate lifting tools; maintain proper lifting posture; check for hazardous gases using gas monitor before opening |
| Use jetter or suction hose | High pressure water injuries, hose recoil, flying debris, contaminated water spray | Keep hands clear of nozzle; use low pressure first; increase gradually; never point nozzle at people; maintain firm grip on hose |
| Vacuum debris from basin or pipe | Obstructed suction, debris clogging hose, sudden movement of hose | Operate at controlled speed; avoid overfilling tank; maintain visual contact with operator; secure hose when not in use |
| Monitor tank fill level | Overflow, blowback, spills | Watch gauges and sight windows; stop work before tank is full; empty tank as needed |
| Dump debris at designated site | Falling debris, slip hazards, backing hazards | Use spotter when backing; open door slowly; maintain clear zone behind truck; clean dumping area after unloading |
| Clean and flush equipment | Contact with contaminated material, high pressure hazards | Wear waterproof gloves; use low pressure flush first; secure hoses; avoid kinks and whipping |
| Conduct post operation inspection | Leaks, worn hoses, mechanical issues | Check hoses, seals, pump, and fittings; report any damage; perform routine maintenance |
| Final site cleanup | Leftover sludge, slip hazards, clogged drains | Remove debris from roadway; ensure catch basins or manholes are properly closed; rinse area if necessary |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until area is safe |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Waterproof gloves or gauntlets
Respiratory protection if working around foul or unknown atmospheres
Long pants and long sleeves
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.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, overhead lines, pedestrians, uneven surfaces | Conduct site assessment; establish MUTCD compliant work zone; identify hazards like low wires and soft shoulders; assign lookout |
| Inspect vactor truck and equipment | Damaged hoses, worn nozzles, hydraulic leaks, clogged filters, malfunctioning alarms | Conduct full pre trip inspection; test boom, suction hose, jetter system, water pump, vacuum blower, lights, and beacons |
| Don required PPE | Chemical exposure, flying debris, noise hazards, contaminated water | Wear gloves, safety glasses or face shield, high visibility vest, hearing protection, and waterproof PPE when needed |
| Position truck and set parking brake | Backing hazards, poor positioning, roll away risk | Use spotter when backing; park on stable ground; chock wheels; activate beacons |
| Deploy boom and hose | Pinch points, hose swing, boom drift | Keep crew clear of moving boom; operate slowly; check that hydraulic system is stable; avoid overhead wires |
| Establish exclusion zone | Unauthorized personnel entering danger zone | Use cones, tape, and signage; mark drop zone and hose operating path; keep pedestrians and crew clear |
| Open catch basin, manhole, or vault | Falling lids, pinch injuries, exposure to contaminated air | Use appropriate lifting tools; maintain proper lifting posture; check for hazardous gases using gas monitor before opening |
| Use jetter or suction hose | High pressure water injuries, hose recoil, flying debris, contaminated water spray | Keep hands clear of nozzle; use low pressure first; increase gradually; never point nozzle at people; maintain firm grip on hose |
| Vacuum debris from basin or pipe | Obstructed suction, debris clogging hose, sudden movement of hose | Operate at controlled speed; avoid overfilling tank; maintain visual contact with operator; secure hose when not in use |
| Monitor tank fill level | Overflow, blowback, spills | Watch gauges and sight windows; stop work before tank is full; empty tank as needed |
| Dump debris at designated site | Falling debris, slip hazards, backing hazards | Use spotter when backing; open door slowly; maintain clear zone behind truck; clean dumping area after unloading |
| Clean and flush equipment | Contact with contaminated material, high pressure hazards | Wear waterproof gloves; use low pressure flush first; secure hoses; avoid kinks and whipping |
| Conduct post operation inspection | Leaks, worn hoses, mechanical issues | Check hoses, seals, pump, and fittings; report any damage; perform routine maintenance |
| Final site cleanup | Leftover sludge, slip hazards, clogged drains | Remove debris from roadway; ensure catch basins or manholes are properly closed; rinse area if necessary |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove cones and signs in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until area is safe |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest or jacket
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection
Waterproof gloves or gauntlets
Respiratory protection if working around foul or unknown atmospheres
Long pants and long sleeves