Occupational Risks from Infectious Diseases in the Water Industry

Workers in the water industry are sometimes exposed to infectious micro-organisms, particularly during the treatment and disposal of sewage. There is a legal requirement for water companies to appraise the degree of risk to which employees are exposed and then take appropriate action to minimize such risks. This is accomplished, to a large extent, by first understanding how infectious diseases are spread, and then devising safety practices to minimize occupational exposure to pathogenic micro-organisms. Examples are given of types of communicable disease potentially associated with drinking water treatment (Legionnaires' disease and leptospirosis), as well as sewage treatment (viral gastroenteritis, AIDS and hepatitis B). The degree of perceived occupational risk associated with these pathogenic micro-organisms is discussed along with preventative measures that can be implemented to minimize actual risk. There is no justification for enhanced immunization of water industry employees.