Communication of Microbial Risk to Workers in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

The prevention of microbiological hazard in working setting necessarily implies a training for the operators, who should become able to adopt right behaviours and procedures within their competence and activity. The Italian Decree Law n. 626/94 expects training as an integral part of the hazards risks and control process from the employer. A proper communication about this topic has a great importance because of the present lack of specific knowledge in the most part of working settings not related with healthcare that could lead both to underestimate dangers and to an excessive alarmism, due to media as well. It is evidently necessary an integrated training programme, with a specific methodology taking in account quality standards for the construction of messages (correction completeness, reliability, usefulness, incitement to attention, comprehensibility, balance, independence, accessibility, coherence, cultural suitability, scientific facts, continuity repetitiveness, timeliness and for the formulation of communicative strategy).