Reader Profile— Felicity Appel

tools from the worksite until they are properly repaired. S Barricade the work area as much as possible to keep spectators and untrained personnel from getting exposed to the hazards of jackhammer operations. S Take breaks often. You should never use a jackhammer for long periods of time; your body needs a break from the constant vibrations and noises. S Unplug the jackhammer every time you walk away from it—even if it’s only for a few minutes. If someone accidentally turns it back on, there could be serious harm caused to people in the area.

Rules on Silica Dust

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed rulemaking for respirable crystalline silica, inhalation of which puts workers at risk of silicosis, lung cancer, lung disease, and kidney disease. Exposure to silica dust can occur when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, mortar, and industrial sand (including sand blasting).

For additional information about silica dust and other hand tool safety, see the OSHA booklet at www.osha.gov.

Jackhammers can be very dangerous if you fail to utilize them properly. You should always take precautions and other significant measurements to prevent injury. As jackhammers are heavy-duty tools, there should be no compromise in their use. S

FWRJ READER PROFILE

Felicity Appel, P.E.

Kimley-Horn, Tallahassee

Work title and years of service.

I am an engineer and project manager, with a total of seven years of experience in Florida and North Carolina.

What does your job entail?

My job varies from day to day. My duties include everything from design calculations of a digester or treatment basin, to grant applications and administration, to sizing pumps from 5 to 280 horsepower, to attending and presenting at public meetings. Most of my focus is on wastewater treatment and conveyance, but grants and water transmission are also something I work on frequently. I serve a wide range of clients, from small towns to larger cities and counties, and even some industrial and private firms.

What education and training have you had?

I have my bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Florida State University and a master’s degree in civil–environmental from the University of Idaho, where I did my research on biological nutrient removal with a focus in biological phosphorous removal. I like to say my master’s degree is in wastewater treatment because that is pretty much all I did at the university.

What do you like best about your job?

The people. Whether it’s my coworkers, clients, or other industry professionals, I like to collaborate to work toward a common goal and to solve a problem.

What professional organizations do you belong to?

I am the Region I chair for FSAWWA and Bid Bend Chapter chair for FWEA. We have board and sponsorship positions available if any readers are interested in getting involved!

How have the organizations helped your career?

The conferences that these organizations put on every year have helped me make so many great connections in the industry, as well as learning a lot during the technical sessions.

What do you like best about the industry?

I like being in an industry where the people are passionate about what they do. I have yet to meet someone in the wastewater field who thinks wastewater is “just okay.”

What do you do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I’m spending as much time as possible outside and next to water with my husband and two children. We also have a mini farm, with dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, a huge vegetable garden, fruit trees, and more flowers than you can count, which certainly keeps things busy. S