(a) General policy. Design of facilities should follow
guidelines established under 29 Code of Federal Regulations §1901.1
(Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and other regulatory
authorities.
(b) Railings and stairways. Railings should conform
with guidelines contained in 29 Code of Federal Regulations §1910.23.
Openings in railings must have removable chains. Open valve boxes
and pits must be guarded by railings. Refer to §317.4(a)(7) of
this title (relating to Wastewater Treatment Facilities) for additional
requirements. Steep and vertical ladders are acceptable for infrequent
access to equipment. Walkways and steps must have a nonslip finish.
Ladders must have flat safety tread rungs and extensions at least
one foot out of a vault. Seven feet of clearance shall be provided
for overhead piping, unless piping is padded to prevent head injury
and warning signs are provided.
(c) Electrical code. Electrical design shall conform
to local electrical codes. Where there are no local electrical codes,
the design shall conform to the National Electrical Code. Where a
flammable gas may exist, all electrical equipment shall conform to
the requirements of the National Electrical Code, Chapter 5, Articles
500-510, "Hazardous Locations." The equipment shall bear the seal
of the Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. or comply with the National
Electrical Code. Adequate lighting must be provided, especially in
areas to be serviced by personnel on duty during hours of darkness.
(d) Unsafe water. When nonpotable water is made available
to any part of the plant, all yard hydrants and outlets shall be properly
marked "Unsafe Water," and all underground and exposed piping shall
be identified as specified in subsection (g) of this section.
(e) Plant protection. The plant area shall be completely
fenced and have lockable gates at all access points. Plants containing
open clarifiers, aeration basins, and other open tanks shall be surrounded
by an eight-foot fence with a minimum single apron barbed wire outrigger.
Livestock fence may be provided in lieu of an eight-foot fence for
stabilization ponds, lagoons, overland flow plots, and similar facilities.
Hazard signs stating "Danger--Open Tanks--No Trespassing" must be
secured to the fence, within visible sighting of each other, as well
as on all gates and levees. Plants shall have at least one all-weather
access road with the driving surface situated above the 100-year flood
plain or be provided by an alternate method of access approved by
the commission.
(f) Other safety equipment. The plant as a whole, and
hazardous areas in particular, shall be posted in accordance with
the Hazardous Communication Act.
(g) Color coding of piping. All piping both exposed
and to be buried or located out of view, containing gas, chlorine,
or other hazardous materials, shall be color coded. Other piping should
be color coded. All nonmetallic underground plant piping should be
installed with tracer type. The nonpotable waterline should also be
identified with a proper color coding. This line shall be painted
white and be stenciled "NON-POTABLE WATER" or "UNSAFE WATER." The
following coding is recommended by the Water Pollution Control Federation.
Attached Graphic
(h) Portable ventilators and gas detection equipment.
Portable gasoline operated ventilators must be provided for ventilating
manholes. Personal gas detectors are required for wear by all personnel
whose jobs require entering enclosed spaces capable of having accumulations
of hydrogen sulfide or other harmful gases. An approved personnel
retrieval system should be provided for continued space entry.
(i) Potable water. Potable water should be provided
to the plant site. Double-check backflow preventers must be provided
at the main plant service. Atmospheric vacuum breakers are required
at all potable water washdown hoses.
(j) Freeze protection. All surfaces subject to freezing
shall be adequately sloped to prevent standing water.
(k) Noise levels. Noise levels in all working areas
shall be kept below standards established by the Occupational Safety
and Health Act. Removable noise attenuators should not be utilized.
(l) Safety training. Regular safety training shall
be provided to all employees.
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