| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic hazards, overhead lines, unstable ground | Conduct site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; identify stable staging area |
| Verify force main status | Pressurized surge, wastewater spray | Coordinate with operators; reduce pressure where possible; confirm pump shutdown if allowed |
| Identify and mark utilities | Striking gas, electric, fiber | Call for utility locates; hand dig within tolerance zones; keep equipment away from marked utilities |
| Inspect tapping equipment and PPE | Tool failure, damaged seals, cracked cutting heads | Inspect tap machine, seals, sleeve, valve, and PPE; replace worn or defective components |
| Don required PPE | Wastewater exposure, airborne hazards | Wear face shield, gloves, boots, disposable coveralls, and respirator if needed |
| Excavate tapping location | Struck by equipment, trench collapse | Maintain communication with operator; place spoil piles two feet back; install trench box if deeper than five feet |
| Dewater excavation | Slip hazards, contamination, pump suction risks | Use pumps with secure hoses; avoid standing in suction zone; divert water to containment |
| Install trench box or shoring | Cave in hazards | Set trench protection before anyone enters; verify proper placement |
| Clean and prepare pipe | Slip hazards, sharp edges | Clean pipe surface thoroughly; remove dirt and corrosion; wear gloves |
| Install tapping sleeve or saddle | Pinch points, misalignment | Align sleeve evenly; use lifting aid for heavy parts; tighten bolts in cross pattern |
| Install isolation valve on sleeve | Dropped loads, cross threading | Use proper wrench sizes; check valve orientation; ensure bolts are evenly torqued |
| Attach tapping machine | Equipment pinch points, tool strain | Secure machine tightly to valve; ensure all gaskets are properly seated |
| Perform tapping operation | Sudden wastewater discharge, tool kickback | Stand to side; operate machine slowly; monitor gauge pressure; have absorbent pads ready |
| Withdraw cutter and remove coupon | Contact with wastewater, cutter binding | Use slow, steady motion; avoid sudden force; place coupon in safe containment |
| Close valve and remove tap machine | Wastewater spray, valve malfunction | Verify valve seats correctly; close slowly; remove machine carefully |
| Inspect new valve connection | Leaks, sleeve shift | Check for seepage; tighten bolts as needed; ensure sleeve is stable |
| Backfill trench | Struck by equipment, unstable fill | Remove workers; backfill in lifts; compact to prevent settlement |
| Clean and disinfect equipment | Contamination hazards | Rinse tap machine, tools, and PPE; bag disposable items; wash hands |
| Restore site | Trip hazards, debris | Remove spoil, smooth ground, restore pavement as required |
| Final inspection | Missed leaks, sewage seepage | Verify valve is sealed; confirm system pressure is stable |
| Remove traffic control | 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 (Class 3 if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Waterproof boots or waders
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near equipment
Respirator for sewer gases or aerosols
Disposable coveralls for heavy contamination
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Water and Sewer Department Operations
* 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, overhead lines, unstable ground | Conduct site walk; set up MUTCD compliant traffic control; identify stable staging area |
| Verify force main status | Pressurized surge, wastewater spray | Coordinate with operators; reduce pressure where possible; confirm pump shutdown if allowed |
| Identify and mark utilities | Striking gas, electric, fiber | Call for utility locates; hand dig within tolerance zones; keep equipment away from marked utilities |
| Inspect tapping equipment and PPE | Tool failure, damaged seals, cracked cutting heads | Inspect tap machine, seals, sleeve, valve, and PPE; replace worn or defective components |
| Don required PPE | Wastewater exposure, airborne hazards | Wear face shield, gloves, boots, disposable coveralls, and respirator if needed |
| Excavate tapping location | Struck by equipment, trench collapse | Maintain communication with operator; place spoil piles two feet back; install trench box if deeper than five feet |
| Dewater excavation | Slip hazards, contamination, pump suction risks | Use pumps with secure hoses; avoid standing in suction zone; divert water to containment |
| Install trench box or shoring | Cave in hazards | Set trench protection before anyone enters; verify proper placement |
| Clean and prepare pipe | Slip hazards, sharp edges | Clean pipe surface thoroughly; remove dirt and corrosion; wear gloves |
| Install tapping sleeve or saddle | Pinch points, misalignment | Align sleeve evenly; use lifting aid for heavy parts; tighten bolts in cross pattern |
| Install isolation valve on sleeve | Dropped loads, cross threading | Use proper wrench sizes; check valve orientation; ensure bolts are evenly torqued |
| Attach tapping machine | Equipment pinch points, tool strain | Secure machine tightly to valve; ensure all gaskets are properly seated |
| Perform tapping operation | Sudden wastewater discharge, tool kickback | Stand to side; operate machine slowly; monitor gauge pressure; have absorbent pads ready |
| Withdraw cutter and remove coupon | Contact with wastewater, cutter binding | Use slow, steady motion; avoid sudden force; place coupon in safe containment |
| Close valve and remove tap machine | Wastewater spray, valve malfunction | Verify valve seats correctly; close slowly; remove machine carefully |
| Inspect new valve connection | Leaks, sleeve shift | Check for seepage; tighten bolts as needed; ensure sleeve is stable |
| Backfill trench | Struck by equipment, unstable fill | Remove workers; backfill in lifts; compact to prevent settlement |
| Clean and disinfect equipment | Contamination hazards | Rinse tap machine, tools, and PPE; bag disposable items; wash hands |
| Restore site | Trip hazards, debris | Remove spoil, smooth ground, restore pavement as required |
| Final inspection | Missed leaks, sewage seepage | Verify valve is sealed; confirm system pressure is stable |
| Remove traffic control | 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 (Class 3 if roadside)
Steel toe boots
Waterproof boots or waders
Chemical resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene)
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near equipment
Respirator for sewer gases or aerosols
Disposable coveralls for heavy contamination