Page 28 - Sept-Oct2023 Vol 41 No 3

STATEWIDE By Del Williams
Expert Tips for Safe Sewer Cleaning

An industry expert explains as needed. You do not need to run (https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/
how to protect operators from continuously high RPMs,” said Story. global/sanitation/workers_handlingwaste.
Another method is using more efficient
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some of the industry’s most nozzles, which enable sewer cleaning with Tip #5 – Open the upstream sewer
lower pressure water, reducing engine
common mistakes RPMs. manhole first
In underground sewers, operators can
Tip #3 – Understand how your specific be at risk from toxic inhalation. High
sewer truck boom operates concentrations of methane in enclosed
Municipalities must safely clean and There are differences in how every areas can lead to hazards as large amounts
maintain many miles of sewer line sewer truck manufacturer configures, of methane decrease the amount of
annually to eliminate blockage and deploys, and extends the booms that oxygen in the air. Oxygen deficiency can
prevent sanitary sewer overflows, which control the vacuum hose. Some deploy cause headache, nausea, dizziness, and
are regulated by the EPA. However, rapidly, some articulate, some telescope. even unconsciousness.
the use of high-pressure equipment in Operators must understand these Story says operators first must open the
underground sewers can be dangerous differences before operating a boom in the upstream manhole as a precaution.
unless operators are well trained and fully field around their co-workers. “For safety in sewer pipe, the first
understand the hazards. “Because you may go out in different thing you always want to do is open your
Understanding and correcting some vehicles from day to day with different upstream sewer manhole. That will allow
of the most common operator mistakes crew members, it is important that you the system to draw in fresh air. On the
in sewer cleaning can go a long way understand your boom equipment. For other hand, if the air were to be drawn
toward keeping them safe. Safety expert everyone’s safety, do not rush the job directly from the homes, it could fill
Dan Story, Operations Manager at KEG because the boom can cause injuries if it them with sewer gas, which is unsafe and
Technologies, has instructed operators for is not used with full understanding and unpleasant for homeowners,” says Story.
decades and provides ten tried-and-true control,” Story said. Tip #6 – To avoid injury, do not start hydro
sewer cleaning safety tips that address Tip #4 – Use Personal Protective
the most common errors that he has jetting outside a pipe
observed. Equipment (PPE) and practice good With hydro jetting, sewer cleaning
hygiene nozzles are designed to direct water
Tip #1 – Properly set up the area around “Protect your hands and feet with at exceedingly high rates of pressure.
the sewer vacuum truck to ensure operator waterproof gloves and work boots. Protect For typical cleaning, 1,000-1,500 PSI is
safety in street traffic your eyes with goggles or a face shield. Of normal. To remove a blockage, pressures
“To start sewer cleaning, when you course, protect your head with a hard hat as high as 5,000 PSI may be reached.
park the vacuum truck in the middle of to avoid injury from a swinging boom or a “Sewer cleaning nozzles at extremely
the road, you need to block off the traffic falling object,” said Story. high pressures should only be used in a
so it can pass in a safe manner. Set safety When cleaning sewers, operators pipe,” cautioned Story. “If a nozzle is used
cones in front and behind the work zone exposed to sewage or human waste may outside of a pipe, it can whip around like
and make sure the hazard flasher lights are be at increased risk of becoming ill from a fire hose. I have seen sewer nozzles and
functioning correctly,” Story said. waterborne diseases. To reduce this risk hose go up and wrap around telephone
Tip #2 – Keep equipment noise levels low and protect against illness, operators wires. I have seen nozzles over 60 feet in
the air.”
enough to hear traffic should wash hands with soap and water
immediately after cleaning sewers before
Revving the sewer truck engine and Tip #7 – Use a hose with a robust safety
running its vacuum pump can be noisy. eating or drinking. Avoid touching factor to prevent bursting
the face, mouth, eyes, and nose while
So, Story advises keeping RPMs low handling sewage, and cover any open Since hose and nozzle pressures can
enough so operators can hear and avoid cuts, sores, or wounds with clean, dry be so high, it is important to utilize only
approaching vehicles and converse with bandages. robust hose of sufficient strength to ensure
co-workers as needed. In addition, Story points out that the safe use over time, according to Story.
One way to lower sewer vacuum truck “Most operators and municipalities
RPMs during engine operation is by CDC advises vaccination against Hepatitis overlook the possibility of burst hoses.
A and B and other contagious diseases
only using the vacuum when needed and that could put operators at risk when However, hose is gradually cut going
allowing the water to pass through as the exposed to sewage or human waste. in and out of sewer pipe. The braided
solids remain. The CDC, in fact, also recommends nylon weave remains, but every layer
“You can put the nozzle in the bottom that is cut reduces hose strength and the
of the sewer pipe and let the water run vaccinations for tetanus, polio, and corresponding PSI that can be run,” Story
typhoid fever in these environments.
around it. The solids remain to vacuum said.
28 TPW September/October 2023