Small Scale Irrigation Systems (Peace Corps) Section 13. Health and safety (introduction...) Safety tips for small irrigation projects Brush clearing Miscellaneous suggestions Water related diseases

Small Scale Irrigation Systems (Peace Corps)

Section 13. Health and safety

Health and safety aspects of working on projects in a developing country are far different from a developed country. Peace Corps Volunteers going abroad receive various immunizations needed for a particular area and are provided anti-malaria drugs as required. Some other health and safety aspects are important, regardless of the Volunteer's assignment. And other health factors relate particularly to irrigation activities.

Safety tips for small irrigation projects

Sanitation/Project Campsite Health. In many cases, small projects will be remote and time consuming to commute to, hence a small project campsite is usually established.

A few simple amenities and/or precautions should be used.

a. Never establish camp along a stream--locate in a well-drained bank above flood level.

b. Excavate a simple latrine 75 feet from quarters.

c. Provide for boiling or chemically treating and/or filtering drinking water.

d. Elevate sleeping quarters above ground to reduce snake hazards.

e. If possible obtain old oil drums to collect rainfall for bathing--thus avoiding use of streams and allowing for disinfecting water.

f. Have a complete first aid kit available and a first aid manual.

g. Have a snake bite kit available and/or anti venom if supplies can be properly preserved and a knowledgeable person is available for its usage.

h. Store an emergency food supply such as Army or Forest Service rations.

i. Have mosquito nets.

Always have in your possession a copy of Where There Is No Doctor by David Werner (published by the Hesperian Foundation and available from ICE) or some useful medical manual for lay persons.

Snake and Insect Protection. Most snakes, lizards, scorpions and other reptiles/insects with venomous bites or stings tend to avoid man, except when caught unaware. The following suggestions will help prevent snake bites and poisonous insect stings:

a. Wear boots and loose fitting clothes.

b. Avoid tall grass or dense brush.

c. Do not put hands under rocks or in holes without a careful check.

d. Some snakes, such as the bamboo viper, are colored to match the environment they live in. Know the reptiles/insects in your work area.

e. Use caution and make some noise so snakes are aware of your presence, then allow them time to move away.

f. When leeches attach to your skin, do not pull them off. Use a lighted cigarette or match on their rear portion and they will drop off. If available, a bag of wet tobacco can be used to knock them off.

g. Use insect repellents if available.

Brush clearing

a. Avoid personally using machetes for brush clearing. The local villagers are very skilled in using local tools and improper usage can be dangerous.

b. Ask local persons to identify poisonous plants such as poison ivy.

c. Be cautious if burning is used in brush clearing operations--stay upwind to prevent the danger of clothing catching on fire. Some poisonous plants like poison ivy make poisonous smoke.

Excavations. When digging village wells or embankment cuts, always "shore" up the walls with timber, especially in sandy soils. Never work on unshored cuts more than chest high. A cubic meter of soil weights approximately one ton and has great crushing force.

Miscellaneous suggestions

a. Be careful when working in or around swift streams or streams with debris or tree snags.

b. Do not work in streams during flood season.

c. Avoid overexertion or excessive exposure to heat or sun.

d. Avoid walking around during the night and have good flashlights.

e. Avoid village work animals and dogs until they become familiar with your presence. Your scent differs from local people's and work carabao (water buffalo), for example, are very docile with villagers, but resent strangers with a different scent.

f. Keep the local villagers informed of your activities--as you gain their confidence they will offer useful suggestions. Take advice! Check security!

g. Do not enter isolated areas unless there are at least two companions with you.

h. Always have adequate fuel in a vehicle.

i. When traveling in a boat, wear a life jacket.

j. Observe land marks and/or mark your trail to avoid getting lost in jungle or swamps.

k. Observe good housekeeping in camp. Garbage attracts rats, which attract snakes. Store tools, equipment, and materials properly. Keep work areas clean and neat.

l. Keep the cooking area clean and sanitary and observe good food handling practices.

m. Store flammable materials away from open fires--provide for extinguishers if possible.

n. Wear gloves when using hand tools and hard hats around construction.

Water related diseases

The health aspects of irrigation development are typically neglected and can impose large social costs on the community. Table 13-1 shows preventive strategies for some of the common diseases associated with water.

Table 13-1. Classification of water-related diseases and prevention strategy

Category	Example
1. Faecal-oral (water-borne or water-washed
(a) low-infective dose	Cholera, amoeba
(b) high-infective dose	Bacillary dysentery, ascariasis
2. Water-washed
(a) skin and eye infections	Trachoma, scabies, leprosy, yaws
(b) other	Louse-borne fevers
3. Water-based
(a) penetrating skin	Schistosomiasis
(b) ingested	Guinea worm, paragoniniasis
4. Water-related insect vectors
(a) biting near water	Sleeping sickness
(b) breeding in water	Malaria, onchoceriasis
Transmission mechanism	Preventive strategy
Water-borne	Improve water quality; and pre- vent casual use of other unimproved sources.
Water-washed	Improve water quantity; improve water accessibility; and improve hygiene.
Water-based	Decrease need for water contact; control snail populations; and improve quality.
Water-related insect vector	Improve surface water management; destroy breeding sites of insects; and decrease need to visit breeding sites.

Source: Bradley, O. J. "The Health Implications of Irrigation Schemes and Man-made Lakes in Tropical Environments," in R. Feachen, M. McGary, D. Mara (eds) Water, Wastes and Health in Hot Climates, (Wiley, London, 1977).

One specific disease Schistosomiasis is a particular and severe hazard when working in irrigation water. Symptoms are discussed in the references. Consult local medical advice before starting an irrigation project.

If possible, avoid irrigation projects in areas of watersheds where Schistosomiasis exists; however, in Egypt, the problem is endemic and cannot be avoided. Physical protection using boots is recommended. Heavy canvas "stockings" impregnated with oil may be effective if rubberized boots are not available.