Texas Administrative Code › Title 30 - ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Part 1 - TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY › Chapter 317 - DESIGN CRITERIA PRIOR TO 2008 › Section 317.7 - Safety

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(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.