Septic System: Its Requirements and Safety Procedures
People rarely think about their septic systems until problems develop. These systems remain hidden, so they don’t come to mind often. However, septic systems can be dangerous. A person can be harmed or killed when around these everyday items. How can a person protect themselves from harm when around the system?
Secure Access
Drowning is a significant concern with septic systems. A child might fall into the system and not be able to get out, but the same is true for an adult. To reduce the risk of this happening, all openings should be hidden and secured when installing a septic system.
While the tank itself is buried underground, a vertical extension is visible on the surface. This extension, the riser, is used to pump and maintain the system. While the riser simplifies caring for the system, it can be dangerous if not properly secured.
A homeowner needs to cover the septic tank and use a secured lid and cover that children cannot remove. The lid needs to cover the tank opening fully and tightly. It also needs to be secured to prevent unauthorized access. Many people today invest in locking lids that require a key or combination before the lid can be opened.
When small children reside in the home, parents should consider installing a plastic catcher device to reduce the risk of a child drowning in the septic tank. This device sits inside the riser under the lid. A person can easily see into the tank when the plastic catcher is in place. However, nobody can fall in the tank, even when the lid is removed if the catcher is in place. Ask the septic system installer about this additional feature.
Professional Maintenance and Repair
Septic tanks have hidden hazards. Only those trained to repair and maintain these systems should access them. Flammable methane is a byproduct of biological waste as it decays. If the tank is opened and flames are in the immediate area, the escaping gases could ignite, causing a deadly explosion.
Suffocation is another danger associated with septic tanks. The gases in the tank include methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. These gases are not oxygenating, so anyone exposed to them could be overwhelmed and pass out.
No person should enter a septic tank without the proper tools, equipment, and training, even if the tank appears to be empty. Leaning over an open septic tank is also dangerous. The gases rise from the tank. When someone inhales them while leaning over the tank, they can pass out and fall into it.
Biological Hazards
Septic systems contain biological hazards. Exposure to the tank’s contents could make someone ill. Microorganisms present in the tank include those responsible for dysentery, shigellosis, and gastroenteritis. These same microorganisms are present in the drain field, which is where wastewater from the septic system is sterilized. People should avoid working, playing, or completing other activities around the drain field to reduce the risk of being exposed to these microorganisms.
Leave septic tank system work to the pros. They undergo training to keep these systems in good working order while minimizing their exposure to dangerous gases and microorganisms. They will do the job right the first time, and you’ll know you and your family are safe, and the system will work as intended.
