Rank: Forum user 
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Hi Folks
Can anyone advise me what inoculations do you need for working with sewage. I have looked through HSE guidance and it doesn't tell me. Is there any other sources of information that I could check to confirm in black and white what they are. Any help would be appreciated. Eddy
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Rank: Forum user
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Although not exactly the industry you are looking for we carry out work as contractors in waste transfer stations and landfills so some of the risks will be similar and we were advised both by the site operators and our occupational health providers to offer to provide vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B for relevant employees.
This link might also be useful to you: http://support.fitforwor...67/~/working-with-sewage
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Rank: Super forum user
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http://www.hse.gov.uk/bi...risks-sewage-workers.htm
Just like your monitoring programs the decision to inoculate should be based on sound advice from or at the very least approved by a Doctor....
The obvious risks are clear however there are others that may not be so clear...for instance we do Hep AB, tetanus, and typhoid as a rule...but for others who do a little more we also add polio and Hep C...
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Rank: Forum user
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Just out of interest, does anyone else do Hep B for any other trades apart from plumbers?
Also we have been advised by our Occ Health that we only needed to do Hep B occupationally and everything else such as Tetanus should be organised via the GP? Interested to see what other construction organisations are doing?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In Funeral homes- embalmers and preparation staff need a multitude of inoculations before they can handle the deceased.
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Rank: Forum user 
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This needs to be subject to risk assessment.
The focus should be on preventing contact and good hygiene.
Traditionally polio and tetanus as basics - then any others depending on risk of needle sticks.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Nicola Kemmery wrote:This needs to be subject to risk assessment.
The focus should be on preventing contact and good hygiene.
Traditionally polio and tetanus as basics - then any others depending on risk of needle sticks.
Quite.
Given that the HepB vaccination is actually a series, usually of three injections over a 2-3 month period, then a blood test to check that immunity has been achieved.
HepA is a two-shot series.
HepC is not yet available.
Polio is routine in the UK.
Ditto Tetanus.
If you wish to achieve full protection from all pathogens/parasite in sewage...you won't.
So: the above comment ^
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Rank: Super forum user 
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You cannot inoculate against the majority of waterborne pathogens and there is a danger that staff assume they're covered against everything. Good hygiene practice is key.
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Rank: Super forum user
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When I joined the fire service back end of the 80's we were advised to have Hep B vaccination.
But I think what MaxPayne says is very true.
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