AFSCME represents over 40,000 water and wastewater treatment workers. They face exposure to flammable, explosive or poisonous gases, hazardous confined spaces, infectious diseases, temperature extremes, slip and fall hazards, excessive noise and unsanitary workplaces. According to the National Safety Council (1996), water and wastewater treatment workers suffer disabling injuries and illnesses at almost five times the rate of the average industrial worker. These figures do not tell the whole story on the dangers for these workers as they do not include the close calls.