Help protect sanitation workers from sewage contamination for just a few dollars a day
The Problem:
The wastewater industry has known for years that wastewater and raw sewage contain an abundance of dangerous bacteria, viruses and parasites. Continuous exposure poses a health risk to sewer workers. A number of industry organizations[1] and OSHA[2] has recently acknowledged this fact. Public health officials have recently alerted the public to a new health danger posed by antibiotic resistant bacteria, commonly known as “super bugs”.[3] These “super bugs” are resistant to treatment by our current arsenal of antibiotics. Medical experts have also warned us that new antibiotic drug development is at an all time low with no guarantee of future success.[4] At the same time, viruses are busy changing their genetic structure and creating new forms.[5] The results could be equally dangerous.
Of particular interest to our industry, a new wastewater study found MRSA, a highly dangerous “super bug”, in three out of four wastewater treatment plants tested.[6] “Super bugs,” previously confined to hospital isolation wards, are now commonly found in sewer lines and wastewater treatment plants. Cleaning sewer lines exposes sewer workers to “super bugs” and viruses.
MRSA infections are responsible for over 20,000 deaths a year in the US.[7]
[1] Safety and Health in Wastewater Systems, Manual of Practice, Water Environment Federation
AFSCME Health 7 Safety guide for Water & wastewater treatment Plant Workers
[2] OSHA 29CFR, Part 1901.120
[3] B Spellberg, The Epidemic of Antibiotic-Resistant Infection, CID 2008:46
[4] M. Herper, How to Avert an Antibiotic Apocalypse, Forbes, 2013
[5] Cantalupo PG, et al. 2011. Raw sewage harbors diverse viral populations. mBio 2(5):e00180-11. doi:10.1128/mBio.00180-11.
[6] Bob Roehr. 2012. MRSA in waste treatment water poses potential risk. Environ Health
Perspect BMJ 2012;345:e7673
[7] New Scientist, January 2011
We were all amazed to see how well it cleaned off the mess in general – not to mention the viruses and chemicals our workers would have normally been touching.
Our guys really appreciate that we are being pro-active in looking out for their health. When we get another truck ordered, it will definitely have a Vanguard system on it.
The Vanguard Systems were easy to install on our trucks and the system has proven easy to operate. It didn’t take long for our guys to adapt to using the Vanguard System as part of their sewer cleaning routine and they are happy to have it.
The Solution:
The Vanguard System removes up to 98% of bacteria found on the jet hose.[1] The jet hose is the piece of sewer cleaning equipment most commonly handled by sewer workers and the primary source of bacteria and virus transfer from wastewater to sewer workers. In addition, the Vanguard System provides a spray nozzle attachment that allows the sewer crew to apply that same anti-bacterial, anti-viral solution (Sani-Solution™) to the work area, external controls and commonly touched surfaces on their sewer truck. It also gives sewer workers the water volume and “big time” cleaning and killing power required for effective SSO cleanup.
The Vanguard System’s modular design makes it easy to mount on any make of Combination, Jet, or CCTV Truck. With the push of a button, it sends Sani-Solution through a delivery hose to a lightweight manhole roller or spray nozzle attachment.
The Vanguard System only costs a few dollars a day to operate. This investment is offset by reductions in lost time due to illness, health insurance premiums liability exposure and employee morale.
Constructed from stainless steel, 6160 aircraft aluminum and the highest quality electrical and mechanical components, the Vanguard System is trouble free and built to last – proudly made in the USA.
[1] TG Labs, May 2011.
