Set up and run a safe sewerage operation

Sewerage work carries acute occupational risks — confined spaces in sewers and treatment tanks, toxic gases (hydrogen sulphide, methane), biological hazards including leptospirosis (Weil's disease), and manual handling of heavy equipment. Your general duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of your employees and others affected by the work. Workplace health and safety is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive in Great Britain and by HSENI in Northern Ireland.

A. Health and safety at work

Risk-assess every activity — confined-space entry into sewers and treatment tanks, exposure to biological agents and toxic gases, and manual handling. The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 and COSHH 2002 bite heavily in this sector.

B. Fire safety

Assess fire risk at treatment works, pumping stations and office premises. Methane generation at sewage treatment works is a specific fire and explosion risk. In England and Wales the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies. In Scotland the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 applies. In Northern Ireland the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 applies.

C. Employers' liability insurance

Hold at least £5 million of employers' liability insurance once you employ anyone. Display the certificate or make it available electronically.

D. Equality

Do not discriminate across the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 — in employment and in the provision of services to the public. In Northern Ireland, separate equality law is enforced by the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland.

E. Data protection

Comply with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. Sewerage undertakers process extensive personal data (billing accounts, customer and employee records). Register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee unless specifically exempt.

What to do next

With the workplace foundations in place, work through your sewerage regulatory duties in meet your sewerage regulatory duties. Start from the router if you are not sure which guides apply to you.