…warns participants against reusing disposable Personal Protective Equipment and engaging in other unsafe practices
The Ekiti State Water and Sewerage Company Limited has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop on Safe Faecal Sludge Management (FSM) and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), aimed at enhancing public health protection and environmental safety across the state.
The training, implemented under the Sustainable Urban and Rural Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (SURWASH) Programme, was held at the Ekiti Water House along Ado–Iworoko Road, Ado-Ekiti.
Participants at the workshop included sanitation officers, technical staff and other relevant stakeholders, who were taken through critical aspects of faecal sludge management, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection.
The training was designed to advance from basic concepts to practical application, ensuring that safety principles become part of participants’ day-to-day operations.
Speaking at the opening session, the Managing Director of Ekiti State Water and Sewerage Company Limited, Mr. Wole Afolabi, represented by Engr. Abiodun Alabi, described the workshop as crucial to improving sanitation services in Ekiti State. He urged participants to pay rapt attention and ensure that the knowledge gained is effectively applied in their various duties.
The resource persons, Dr. Olajumoke Ekundayo from the Department of Biological Sciences,Bamidele University of Education, Science and Technology Ikere Ekiti , explained that faecal sludge contains high concentrations of harmful pathogens.
According to her, improper handling and indiscriminate disposal of sludge can contaminate rivers, groundwater and soil, leading to the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery, which disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
She described faecal sludge management as the systematic process of collecting, transporting, treating and safely reusing or disposing of waste from onsite sanitation systems such as septic tanks and pit latrines. She added that FSM represents the final and critical stage of wastewater treatment, aimed at reducing volume and weight, stabilizing organic matter, destroying pathogens and making sludge safe for disposal or reuse.
Participants were taken through the various stages of sludge management, including collection, thickening, stabilization and digestion.
Dr. Olajumoke highlighted that treated sludge can be converted into valuable resources such as compost for agriculture, alternative fuel for industrial use and biogas for energy generation, noting that treating waste as a resource also creates economic opportunities.
The training further addressed the hazards associated with faecal sludge management, including biological, chemical and physical risks such as exposure to toxic gases, disease-causing organisms and sharp objects. Emphasis was placed on strict hygiene practices, including proper handwashing, vaccination, wound care and avoidance of direct contact with contaminated materials.
Dr. Olajumoke stressed that the safety of sanitation workers is directly linked to public health, warning that failure at any point in the sanitation chain could expose entire communities to health risks. She also identified key challenges facing FSM, such as difficult access in unplanned settlements, financial constraints and the social stigma associated with sanitation work.
Participants were encouraged to support community sensitization efforts to reduce stigma and to promote approaches that prioritize treatment and management of sludge close to its point of generation rather than transporting it over long distances.
The second segment of the workshop focused on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which was described as the last line of defence between workers and workplace hazards and should never be compromised.
Participants were trained on the correct use of safety helmets, face masks, gloves, protective clothing, safety boots and hearing protection. They were advised to consistently use appropriate PPE, inspect equipment regularly and avoid using damaged or unsuitable gear.
The participants were also warned against common unsafe practices such as reusing disposable PPE, touching contaminated surfaces with bare hands and skipping safety procedures due to discomfort or over-familiarity with tasks.
Overall, the workshop reinforced the message that faecal sludge management is not merely a technical activity but a critical public health responsibility.
Through continuous training, a strong safety culture and proper use of PPE, Ekiti State is strengthening its sanitation system and safeguarding both sanitation workers and communities under the SURWASH Program.