When did it fall out of fashion to talk about protecting the lives and safety of water and wastewater workers, as if it were a top priority in the design and operation of public water systems? There was a time, at least, when the American public marveled at the advancements in water-related sanitation because they still remembered how awful things were beforehand.
6. Specifically:
When did it fall out of fashion to talk about
protecting the lives and safety
of water and wastewater workers,
as if it were a top priority
in the design and operation
of public water and wastewater systems?
7. Don't forget your history
There was a time when the American public
marveled at the advancements in water-related sanitation
because they still remembered how awful
things were beforehand
9. It's more than symbolic
Even though much of the work
related to that progress
was far more dangerous than it is today,
there was a sense that the
people working in the sector
were public heroes
12. Today's standards
Should be:
"How safe can we make
this for operators?"
Too often are:
"How cheaply can we get
this done while meeting
the minimum standards
from OSHA?"
13. Hard truth
Things would look different if we
authentically saw water-sector operators
as community heroes --
and treated them as well on the job
as they treat their customers
25. Surfside condominium collapse
Everything looked good in the 1st class spaces
(pool and lobby)
People looked past the 2nd class spaces
(parking garage)
3rd class spaces were clearly ignored
(pool mechanical equipment rooms)
26. The collapse killed 98 people
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34. Comparative costs per square foot to build
Class A office space: $150 to $200/sf (and up)
Residential: $150/sf (and up)
Prefab: $125/sf
Morton building: $75 to $125/sf
Wooden barn: $30 to $45/sf
35. Cost comparisons
It's not about the absolute cost you choose,
it's about the difference between that and
the least you could get away with
-- the marginal cost.
37. Justifying the marginal difference
Quantify the cost of neglect
Note savings from better spaces (fewer service calls,
savings from performing work onsite, insurance)
Recognize the implicit risk -- operators die in bad
spaces every year, mostly for no good reason
Show the benefits
42. Broken-down fire equipment? Unthinkable.
This is maintenance and upkeep you perform
right in front of everybody
43. Fair equivalence
WTPs, WWTPs, pump stations, and other facilities
have to be at least at the fire department level
of cleanliness, comfort, and utility
58. Guess the top causes of workplace fatalities
For FY2019, per OSHA
Not including workplace violence or traffic fatalities
Put these in order:
Fires/explosions
Chemical exposure
Falls
Contact with objects