WORKING CONDITIONS AT THE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS: ACTIVITIES, HAZARDS AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES

Abstract

In operational sense, wastewater treatment plants and operators who work at those facilities present a proper basis for good water quality status. The basic aim of this paper is to assess the risk to which workers - water treatment operators - are exposed to within water treatment plants, as well as to propose preventive measures in order to reduce the level of occupational risk. The applied methodology consists of system analysis, with in-depth literature review. The usage of appropriate occupational safety systems in the water treatment control processes leads to a double effect: a higher quality of treated water in shorter periods of time, with energy and material savings, as well as safer and healthier working environment. Key words: water treatment plants, occupational hazards, occupational risks, protection measures.