Reliable Fall-Protection for Pump Stations

Romtec Utilities only designs and supplies pump and lift stations with OSHA certified hatches that include reliable fall-protection. There are many technologies available for fall-protection, but some are more reliable than others. The design of a pump or lift station can also include preventative measures to protect against falling hazards. Designing and supplying pump and lift stations that are safe for long-term use is equally important to Romtec Utilities as providing systems that are reliable and functional. Let’s take a look at some ways that Romtec Utilities gives our customers the best systems available for safe operation with the industries best fall-protection methods.

The best way to protect against accidental falling into a wet well or collection basin is to remove any temptation to enter the vault. Romtec Utilities does not ever typically include a ladder in the basin design and supply. By not including a ladder, system operators do not consider entering the vault to resolve cleaning and maintenance issues. It may seem like an inconvenience to not have access to the vault, but this type of design consideration saves lives. Vaults and wet wells, especially for wastewater, can contain noxious gasses and should not be entered under any circumstance.

Romtec Utilities provides hatches with safety grates that can be locked in-place. This feature allows operation and maintenance supervisors to keep a vault locked until they arrive onsite with a key. Supervisors can then ensure that proper safety measures are taken during cleaning and maintenance procedures. For some issues, like solids interfering with level-sensing devices, it can seem like a quick solution to reach down into the vault and try to dislodge the solids. It does not take long, however, for gasses to overcome an individual, which can lead to falling into the well. Unfortunately, this type of accident does happen when proper steps aren’t taken. Having a hatch with a safety grate that can be locked can prevent this type of accident.

There are many types of hatches and safety grates available with different materials and technologies. A good hatch should include a safety grate that is solid and made from aluminum or stainless steel. The safety grate should not be susceptible to rusting and weakening. Good hatches and safety grates should also be easy to open and operate, by using levers or hydraulics. Easy opening and closing of the hatch and safety grate prevents accidents due to struggling or straining to open a heavy, metal component. Easy operation also prevents “shortcuts” from being taken. If a safety grate (or net) is time consuming to open and close, it may be left open during long maintenance procedures, creating a falling hazard. Easy-to-use components encourage the consistent use of best practices.

Reliable fall-protection save lives in the long-term operation and maintenance of pump and lift stations. Understanding this fact makes it easy to understand why Romtec Utilities always includes OSHA certified hatches with durable and reliable safety grates. Talk to our Sales and Engineering staff today to see how you can get a reliable, functional, and safe pumping system from Romtec Utilities for any water application.