C Factor—Kenneth Enlow

from Florida Water Resources Journal - July 2020

FSAWWA Fall Conference

C FACTOR Summer Tips for Fall Protection and Prevention

Kenneth Enlow President, FWPCOA

Greetings everyone. Here we are with nearly half the year gone already. Wow, how time flies when you’re having fun.

Hopefully by now we are getting back to some routines in our work and pleasure. Our work is important, but don’t forget to take some time out for yourself as well. Everyone needs to take a little mental health time to clear the mind and to remember who we are and why we are here.

Having good mental health also gives us a clear mind to be more alert on the job and at home. Don’t become a victim of fatigue, which can lead to a loss of awareness and a failure in mental judgement.

When we become less aware in our workplace, we open ourselves up for the potential of having an accident. One of the primary causes

of accidents at work is related to walking-working surfaces.

Walking-Working Surface Safety

These types of hazards can be present anywhere in our work environment and are ones that we probably have the most control over. A majority of the hazards are related to poor housekeeping.

Let’s talk about walking-working surfaces a bit.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

S Slips, trips, and falls constitute the majority of general industry accidents. They cause 15 percent of all accidental deaths and are second only to motor vehicles as a cause of fatalities. S Most of these types of accidents can be prevented with improved housekeeping, such as appropriate guardrails, maintenance of walking surfaces, and remaining alert to the work surroundings.

Housekeeping

S Keep places of employment, passageways,

storerooms, and service rooms clean and orderly and in sanitary condition. S Keep floors clean and dry. Where wet processes are used, such as dishwashers and cage washers, equip the area with drainage and gratings, mats, or raised platforms. S Remove items that present tripping hazards, such as mats that do not lay flat. S Return equipment to designated storage areas after use.

Aisles and Passageways

S Keep aisles and passageways clear of obstructions or objects that may present a tripping hazard. S If mechanical handling equipment is used, ensure there is enough room in the aisle or passageway for employees to walk and for emergency egress. S Clearly mark permanent aisles and passageways in machinery and equipment rooms. For example, paint or tape markings on floors.

These few simple tips will help keep your employees and customers safe. Continued on page 40

Committee Chair Change

After 16 years as the Systems Operators Committee chair, Ray Bordner has decided to step down. Ray has been the committee chair for this group since 2004 when it was called the Distribution and Collection Committee. He has been the go-to person for the system operators program, planning both state and regional short schools and training, and has been an instructor for backflow training as well.

I cannot even begin to tell everyone the number of training classes Ray has put together over the time he chaired this committee, plus the many years he has been actively setting up short schools for Region IV before he took on the committee chair role.

Ray is one of the most recognized members in our organization for what he has done for FWPCOA members and the utility industry. Ray still plans to continue instructing as much as possible, but may have to cut back the on-the-road training he does.

Ray has recommended Jeff Elder to take over as the committee chair in his stead. Jeff has been an instructor for many years and is quite familiar with the system operators programs. Jeff has been working in the utilities field going on 31 years and has worked for the City of Deltona for 15 years, where he is currently the utilities system manager.

Jeff has been an instructor for FWPCOA for 14 years, teaching almost every class that the organization offers. Jeff has a water distribution level 1 license, wastewater collection A certification, reclaimed water B certification, stormwater A certification, and is a reclaimed water inspector. He is trained in backflow testing and repair, maintenance of traffic, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Jeff is a member of FWPCOA Region IX, which provides as many as 30 classes a year and proctor exams every month.

Jeff has organized or assisted in organizing short schools and is an excellent person to take over as committee chair. Jeff was also instrumental in the development of the wastewater collection C manual.

Training

I want to remind everyone again about our wastewater collection C online training course. This course has been newly revamped to include a manual developed by the association. The cost of the course is $275, which includes the new manual and a membership to FWPCOA for a year.

You can access our online training by going to the FWPCOA website at www.fwpcoa.org and selecting the “Online Institute” button at the upper righthand area of the home page to open the login page. You then scroll down to the bottom of this screen and click on “View Catalog” to open the catalog of the many training programs offered. Select your preferred training program and register online to take the course.

I’m sorry to say the Fall State Short School at the Indian River State College in Ft. Pierce, which was scheduled for the week of August 10-14, will not be held. Indian River State College informed us that they will not be opening their campus in August. We may be able to schedule the class later in the year, but they’re not sure when they will open.

In the meantime, we are actively working on getting training on track utilizing other venues, like utility training rooms. We’re implementing COVID-19 guidelines following recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to ensure everyone attending will be protected.

That’s all I have for this C Factor. Everyone take care and, as usual, keep up the good work!

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