Information

The TCEQ recommends that water utility workers take the precautions they are taught in their safety classes for protection from exposure to pathogens, biohazards, and bloodborne infectious diseases. See the following link for a list of Water and Wastewater Operator courses and providers: http://www.tceq.texas.gov/licensing/training

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that workers who handle medical waste follow special precautions to prevent exposure outlined in CDC's “Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals” for the Ebola Virus at: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/hcp/environmental-infection-control-in-hospitals.html  

The TCEQ received notice that the CDC is working on an "Interim Guidance for Workers Handling Untreated Sewage from Ebola Cases in the United States" document that should be available soon and recommends that interested persons visit the CDC website often for updates at: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/

The following links are provided to obtain additional guidance and infectious waste precautions from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health. · Ebola - Safety and Health Topics, OSHA https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ebola/standards.html

Bloodborne Infectious Disease Precautions, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/bbp/

Garvey, Donald J., Exposure to Biohazards-An Emerging Concern for Construction Workers in Sewer Lines and Wastewater Treatment Plants, August 2005, Professional Safety, Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health, http://www.elcosh.org/document/1916/d000734/Exposure%2Bto%2BBiohazards.html?show_text=1