Sewage Treatment Plants: Occupational Safety Risks and Health Hazards

Authors : Hülya Özkoç, Ayşenur Uslu, Sevda Türkmen

Pages : 1280-1296

Doi:10.21597/jist.1644647

View : 73 | Download : 212

Publication Date : 2025-12-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Increasing population and urbanization cause water consumption and wastewater generation to increase. Developing water resources without proper treatment causes water levels to drop and water ecosystems to be damaged. Therefore, the operation and management of wastewater treatment plants is essential to prevent water leaks or significantly reduce pollution. As in every workplace, necessary occupational health and safety measures can be taken in wastewater treatment plants. During the operation, maintenance and repair of these plants, risk assessments should be carried out within the scope of occupational health and safety in order to eliminate or minimize the risks of occupational accidents and occupational diseases. There are hazards that need to be taken into consideration at every stage of wastewater treatment plants. In this study, in order to examine the occupational health and safety activities at the Durugöl Wastewater Treatment Plant in Ordu province, the plant area was examined in detail using interview and observation methods and interviews were conducted with plant managers and personnel. As a result of the risk analysis of the plant, regulatory and preventive measures were suggested for the sections with the highest risk scores. Thus, as a result of the study; 1- The prevalence of occupational health and safety hazards among plant employees was evaluated, 2- The factors affecting the prevalence of occupational health and safety hazards were determined, 3- Suggestions were presented to the upper management on the development of guidelines to protect the safety of employees and prevent diseases.
Keywords : İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği, Risk Değerlendirme, Atık su arıtma tesisi tehlikeleri

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