By Sheldon Primus
T
he liquid utility field (water and wastewater treatment plant
and field workers) most often falls in the category of unsung
heroes or workers who are taken for granted. This professional
disconnect can be due to the negative connotation led by the
name "wastewater" or the entry-level position's being a high school
diploma or equivalent. Many liquid utility workers may be fighting
an uphill battle in gaining respect from engineering groups, city and
county management, or even support personnel in the management
team of the utilities' administration offices. However, all operators must
have on-the-job experience and some technical training to obtain a state
license. Once operators become licensed, their value increases as current
employees age and the job market expands due to regulatory concerns.
Some operators leave one municipality for another due to an increase in
salary, better schedules, and better working conditions. This article will
highlight how having a good safety culture can help the municipality
retain promising workers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected the need for water and
wastewater operators to increase by 6 percent from 2014 to 2024 (the
average national rate for all occupations).
1
But are the municipalities
filling vacancies at the same rate of attrition due to retirements or
workers leaving the industry for better working conditions? Do the
operators feel that they are valued as workers and safe on the job? These
are core questions that lead to the retention of utility workers.
The BLS notes that utility workers are at a higher risk of injury and
illness than most.
2
There have been a few fatalities making national news that could
have easily been prevented by having a better safety culture at the utility.
• "Water Workers Recover Inspector's Body From Municipal
Tank" (Massachusetts, Dec. 2016)
• "NYC Contractor Dies After Falling Into Wastewater Tank"
(New York, Oct. 2016)
• "Second Worker Dies From Accident At Wichita Falls
Treatment Plant" (Texas, July 2016)
• "Wastewater Worker Dies After Falling Into Toxic Sludge
Basin" (New Mexico, July 2016)
OSHA notes that worker safety is a key to worker retention, increased
productivity, lower workers' compensation costs, and increased revenue.
Employers that have an active safety and health program that values
safety over compliance with rules or regulations are rewarded with the
benefits previously listed. A safety culture is the value system from top
management to the new hire that promotes a proactive approach to
finding and fixing workplace hazards as a way of doing business. Safety
is not "first" as most signs and promotional materials mention, but
safety is incorporated seamlessly into operations.
There are seven interrelated elements in creating an integrated safety
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wateronline.com
n
Water Innovations
Utility Safety
Culture: A Hidden
Key To Employee
Retention
Sound safety policy does more than keep your workforce free from harm. It keeps them around.
Industry
2
NAICS
code
3
Total
recordable
cases
Cases with days away from work,
job transfer, or restriction
Other
recordable
cases
Total
Cases with
days away
from work
4
Cases with
job transfer
or
restriction
Electric power generation ................................................................................. 22111 1.4 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.7
Hydroelectric power generation ................................................................ 221111 2.4 1.7 1.6 - 0.7
Fossil fuel electric power generation ...................................................... 221112 1.8 0.9 0.4 0.4 0.9
Nuclear electric power generation ........................................................... 221113 0.2 0.1 (
9
) - 0.2
Electric power transmission, control, and distribution .................. 22112 2.3 1.1 0.7 0.4 1.1
Natural gas distribution ........................................................................................ 2212 2.4 1.7 1.1 0.6 0.7
Water, sewage and other systems ................................................................. 2213 4.1 2.6 1.2 1.4 1.5
Water supply and irrigation systems .......................................................... 22131 4.4 2.8 1.2 1.6 1.6
Table 1. Incidence rates* of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses by industry and case types (2015)
*The incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers and were calculated as: (N/EH) x 200,000, where: N = number of
injuries and illnesses; EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year; 200,000 = base for 100 equivalent full-time workers (working 40 hours
per week, 50 weeks per year).
3