| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, uneven ground, standing water, electrical hazards | Conduct site assessment; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; ensure stable footing; assign lookout |
| Inspect tools, lifting devices, and PPE | Equipment failure, improper rigging, damaged PPE | Inspect hoist, chains, slings, and rigging hardware; inspect gas monitor; replace defective equipment |
| Don required PPE | Sewer exposure, splash hazards, aerosols | Wear gloves, face shield, protective clothing, high visibility vest, respirator if needed |
| Test and monitor air in wet well | Hydrogen sulfide, methane, low oxygen | Use gas monitor at top, mid, and lower levels; do not proceed if readings are unsafe |
| Lockout tagout electrical sources | Pump start up, electrical shock | Shut down pump power; apply lockout tagout; verify no power at control panel |
| Ventilate wet well | Toxic gases, poor oxygen | Use blower and ducting; ventilate continuously during operation |
| Open wet well hatch | Fall hazards, dropped objects | Secure hatch open; set barriers around opening; ensure surface is clear |
| Set up lifting system over pump rails | Hoist failure, pinch points | Position davit or tripod securely; confirm lifting capacity exceeds pump weight; attach retrieval line properly |
| Disconnect pump electrical connections | Shock hazard, water contact | Confirm lockout is applied; disconnect using insulated tools; keep connections clear of water |
| Disconnect pump from discharge piping or guide rails | Pinch points, splash hazards | Use appropriate tools; stand to side of connection; avoid sudden pump movement |
| Lift pump from wet well | Dropped loads, rigging failure, splash exposure | Raise pump slowly; keep all workers clear of suspended load; use guide rope to control swing |
| Move pump to safe work area | Struck by swinging pump, slips | Place pump onto stable surface; maintain communication between workers |
| Install replacement pump | Pinch points, muscle strain, misalignment | Inspect new pump and rails; use mechanical lifting device; avoid placing hands between pump and guides |
| Lower pump into wet well | Dropped load, rigging hazards, alignment issues | Lower slowly; guide into rails; ensure pump seats correctly on discharge connection |
| Reconnect electrical components | Shock hazard, miswired connections | Use insulated tools; verify wiring diagram; keep connections dry |
| Restore power and test pump | Unexpected movement, water surge | Stand clear during startup; run pump manually; confirm flow and proper operation |
| Close and secure hatch | Pinch points, unseated lid | Lower hatch carefully; ensure latch is engaged; remove surrounding barriers |
| Clean and disinfect equipment | Cross contamination, splash hazards | Rinse hoist, tools, and PPE; bag disposable items; wash hands thoroughly |
| Final inspection | Improper seating, leaks, missed hazards | Verify pump cycles correctly; check for abnormal noise or vibration; confirm site is clean and safe |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to traffic | Remove signs and cones in reverse order; keep PPE on; use lookout |
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
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near pumps or generators
Respirator for sewer gases or aerosols
Disposable coveralls when contamination is heavy
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.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess work area | Traffic exposure, uneven ground, standing water, electrical hazards | Conduct site assessment; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; ensure stable footing; assign lookout |
| Inspect tools, lifting devices, and PPE | Equipment failure, improper rigging, damaged PPE | Inspect hoist, chains, slings, and rigging hardware; inspect gas monitor; replace defective equipment |
| Don required PPE | Sewer exposure, splash hazards, aerosols | Wear gloves, face shield, protective clothing, high visibility vest, respirator if needed |
| Test and monitor air in wet well | Hydrogen sulfide, methane, low oxygen | Use gas monitor at top, mid, and lower levels; do not proceed if readings are unsafe |
| Lockout tagout electrical sources | Pump start up, electrical shock | Shut down pump power; apply lockout tagout; verify no power at control panel |
| Ventilate wet well | Toxic gases, poor oxygen | Use blower and ducting; ventilate continuously during operation |
| Open wet well hatch | Fall hazards, dropped objects | Secure hatch open; set barriers around opening; ensure surface is clear |
| Set up lifting system over pump rails | Hoist failure, pinch points | Position davit or tripod securely; confirm lifting capacity exceeds pump weight; attach retrieval line properly |
| Disconnect pump electrical connections | Shock hazard, water contact | Confirm lockout is applied; disconnect using insulated tools; keep connections clear of water |
| Disconnect pump from discharge piping or guide rails | Pinch points, splash hazards | Use appropriate tools; stand to side of connection; avoid sudden pump movement |
| Lift pump from wet well | Dropped loads, rigging failure, splash exposure | Raise pump slowly; keep all workers clear of suspended load; use guide rope to control swing |
| Move pump to safe work area | Struck by swinging pump, slips | Place pump onto stable surface; maintain communication between workers |
| Install replacement pump | Pinch points, muscle strain, misalignment | Inspect new pump and rails; use mechanical lifting device; avoid placing hands between pump and guides |
| Lower pump into wet well | Dropped load, rigging hazards, alignment issues | Lower slowly; guide into rails; ensure pump seats correctly on discharge connection |
| Reconnect electrical components | Shock hazard, miswired connections | Use insulated tools; verify wiring diagram; keep connections dry |
| Restore power and test pump | Unexpected movement, water surge | Stand clear during startup; run pump manually; confirm flow and proper operation |
| Close and secure hatch | Pinch points, unseated lid | Lower hatch carefully; ensure latch is engaged; remove surrounding barriers |
| Clean and disinfect equipment | Cross contamination, splash hazards | Rinse hoist, tools, and PPE; bag disposable items; wash hands thoroughly |
| Final inspection | Improper seating, leaks, missed hazards | Verify pump cycles correctly; check for abnormal noise or vibration; confirm site is clean and safe |
| Remove traffic control | Exposure to traffic | Remove signs and cones in reverse order; keep PPE on; use lookout |
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
Long pants and long sleeves
Hearing protection near pumps or generators
Respirator for sewer gases or aerosols
Disposable coveralls when contamination is heavy