Following completion of Chapter 11, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate their awareness of the hazards of working in the collection system environment by performing their assigned duties safely.
2. Identify potential and existing hazards.
3. Develop and establish a safety/survival program.
4. Outline the objectives and benefits of a safety/survival program.
5. List the responsibilities of the different staff levels in a collection system agency that are responsible for a safety/survival program.
6. Prepare and conduct tailgate safety sessions and monthly safety meetings.
7. Develop and implement appropriate safety/survival program policies.
8. Accurately complete accident forms and properly maintain records.

A review of the safe procedures presented in this manual is summarized in this chapter. Emphasis is placed on the philosophy of safety and the fact that all procedures must be developed and learned as safe procedures. Therefore, if at all possible, all safety procedures should be learned by actual hands-on application of the procedures. The topics are presented in such a manner to encourage the use of the material to develop short, informal, tailgate safety sessions.

Topics covered include the testing of the atmospheres in sewers for toxic gases, explosive conditions, and lack of oxygen. Safe driving is important on the job as well as off the job. Traffic must be safely routed around a job site before work starts. Cave-ins are a serious hazard to collection system operators. Their causes must be identified and proper shoring must be selected, installed, maintained, and removed.

A basic first-aid class should be completed by all crew members. Once safe procedures are learned, the collection system operator should be able to prepare and present effective safety programs.

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