We had an OSHA inspection and they are not happy with how we get our stream samples, we park the van with warning lights and flashers on and walk out on the bridge to collect the sample from the center or deepest part of the stream. Both employees have the Class 3 safety vest on as well. They don’t like this way of doing it, can I get some other ideas about how to make it safer and what ideas others have.
We had to address a similar situation, and we walk to an upstream site via a greenway and use the longest dipper we have. Walking out onto the bridge wasn't safe for staff.
There may be an environmental firm or lab collecting samples periodic Downstream samples from a boat for your Basin Association (like the Lower Neuse Basin Association). Perhaps they could collect the upstream samples too.
Drone? Not sure the feasibility of this idea... depends on the drone?
You described our procedure exactly. During our last permit renewal, I had the upstream location moved from a major highway bridge to a secondary road bridge in order to increase safety. Those cars/trucks on the major highway do not slow down! I can't think of another way to collect ours at the upstream site as it is not on town property, however I on my budget wish list I do have a request to build a floating dock at our downstream location. we currently walk to the side of the stream and throw a homemade bailing tube(capped PVC pipe on a rope) into the middle of the stream. I have had 2 employee slide down the bank into the stream so that is a safety issue also.
