Municipal Safety Program

According to Title 40 O.S. 403e – Every employer having twenty-five (25) or more full- or part-time employees shall:

• Designate an employee who shall coordinate all safety programs of the employer;

• Provide safety classes to each type or class of employee no less than quarterly.

 What this means is if your city or town employs 25 full and part-time employees, you must have a designated safety coordinator who provides or plans safety meetings for all the employees for your municipality on topics that are relevant to their work.

 This is how OMAG Risk Management Services sees your Safety Program work:

• First, the municipality’s City Manager, Town Administrator, or Mayor (depending on the form of government) hires or assigns a designated Safety Coordinator. This should be a person that has an interest in “Safety”. They should be devoted and dedicated to keeping people safe.

• Second, the designated Safety Coordinator holds safety meetings for municipal employees at least quarterly each year. These meetings need to be pertinent to the employee’s specific work duties.

• Finally, the municipality’s department supervisors must make sure the employees under their supervision attend these training classes. Employees are responsible for attending the classes because the meetings are for their benefit and safety.

 The Safety Coordinator designation must be in writing. This can be accomplished through, memo, letter, or in the written safety program (Safety and Health Policy and Procedure Manual) for the municipality. The following are duties and responsibilities of the designated Safety Coordinator:

• Ensure the development, implementation, and updating of the required written safety and health programs.

• Ensure that periodic safety and health walk-through inspections of all workplace facilities are completed and identified hazards are corrected.

• Ensure quarterly safety training and all specifically required training is provided for all employees.

• Ensure that accident/injury investigations are completed.

• Conduct investigations into employee inquiries, suggestions, and complaints.

• Maintain health and safety documents/files.

• Ensure periodic inspections of all motorized vehicles.

• Establish and monitor a program for reporting and investigating “near miss” situations (someone was almost injured due to a hazardous condition).

• Ensure each department is correctly maintaining OK300 log information and posting the annual summary from February 1st thru April 30th at each department location.

 This is a lot of responsibility for one person. It must take some careful deliberation by the City Manager, Town Administrator, or Mayor when designating their municipality’s Safety Coordinator. We all face risk in our jobs every day. The position of Safety Coordinator is not a job to be taken lightly. Please make good choices when assigning this position and support and encourage those you choose to facilitate this very important job.

What You Eat May Help Beat Back Pain

Could what you eat be contributing to your back pain? Maybe. Many foods have been shown to reduce (or increase) inflammation, a known cause of back pain. If you are having back pain, changing your diet may help you relieve it.

Left unchecked, inflammation will run rampant through your body, causing all kinds of problems including back pain. That is why creating an anti-inflammatory diet with foods that help you maintain good nutrition is important to managing back pain. Here are some diet tips to assist you in fighting back pain:

Eat your Veggies

A mostly plant-based diet that includes such things as flax and chia seeds, is probably your best bet to avoid inflammation, especially when eaten in combination with omega-3 rich fish like salmon, cod, tuna, and trout.

Deeply colored fruits and vegetables are another key part of an anti-inflammatory diet. Try carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, cherries, berries, grapes, and melons. Herbs and spices like basil, ginger, rosemary, garlic, cumin, onions, and oregano are rich in anti-inflammatory agents. Also, drinking herb teas like green, oolong, and white can be beneficial. Use olive oil rather than blended or animal-based cooking oils. When eating vegetables, think the greener the better (kale, spinach, and broccoli are list toppers). Some other good choices are avocados, nuts, and lean proteins like chicken, turkey, beans, and dark chocolate.

Avoid These Foods to Reduce Back Pain

Some people avoid nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, eggplant, white potatoes, and peppers to relieve back pain, but there is no research that supports their effects on an anti-inflammatory diet. To find out if these vegetables contribute to inflammation in your body, don’t eat them for 2 weeks and see if your symptoms disappear – just as you should do any potentially sensitive foods. Other foods to avoid include processed foods, fast foods, and saturated fats. All of these fuel inflammation. Things like breads, pasta, rice, sugary drinks and snacks, fried foods, and anything with partially hydrogenated oil in the ingredients (often found in preservative-packed products with a long shelf-life, such as chips, crackers, cookies, and pastries) should be avoided or limited. Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol as well. I know the nutritionists are killing our party, but if you are experiencing debilitating back pain, you might want to give it a try.

The Calcium Factor

Another way to keep pain at bay is to make sure you are getting enough of the right nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D. Bones are our body’s storage reservoir for calcium. As we age it becomes difficult to maintain bone mass, which can lead to conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. These diseases can weaken the vertebrae in our spine. However, according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), we shouldn’t consume more than 2,000 milligrams of calcium per day. High doses of calcium supplements can increase the risk for heart problems and atherosclerosis (increases plaque in our arteries). Calcium should come from natural sources (milk, cheese, yogurt, and leafy green vegetables). If you are not able to obtain enough calcium from your diet, then talk to your doctor about whether supplements are right for you.

If you are having problems with back pain or joint pain, it might be beneficial to explore some changes in your daily diet. Be aware of what you are eating, watch your calorie intake, and read the labels on foods you are eating. Try to eat more fresh vegetables and meats, rather than processed pre-cooked microwave foods. Get more activity in your daily life, and get a checkup at least annually from your doctor, and heed their advice.

Good & Bad Exercises for Low Back Pain

When you experience low back pain, you might think resting is the best remedy, but moving is good for your back. Exercises for lower back pain can strengthen back, leg, and stomach muscles. They help support your spine, relieving back pain. Before starting an exercise regimen, always talk to your doctor for advice as to the benefits and which activities will be best for your condition. Depending on the cause and intensity of your pain, some exercises may not be recommended and can be harmful. The following are some exercises to try or avoid when dealing with low back pain.

Avoid: Toe Touches - standing toe touches put greater stress on the disks and ligaments in your spine. They can also overstretch lower back muscles and hamstrings.

Try: Partial Crunches - can strengthen your back and stomach muscles. Lie with knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Cross your arms over your chest, tighten your stomach muscles, and raise your shoulders off the floor. Breath out as you raise your shoulders, hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly lower back down. Repeat 8-12 times. Proper form prevents excessive stress on your lower back. Your feet, tailbone, and lower back should remain in contact with the floor. Any mild discomfort felt at the start of exercises should disappear as muscles become stronger, but if pain is more than mild and lasts longer than 15 minutes during exercise, stop the exercise and contact your doctor.

Avoid: Sit-Ups - although you might think sit-ups can strengthen your core or abdominal muscles, most people tend to use muscles in the hips when doing sit-ups. They may also put a lot of pressure on the discs in your spine.

Try: Hamstring Stretches - lie on your back and bend one knee with your foot flat on the floor. Loop a towel under the ball of your opposite foot, straighten that knee and slowly pull back on the towel, extending the leg up toward your head. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg. Hold this pose for 15-30 seconds. Do the stretch 2-4 times with each leg.

Avoid: Leg Lifts - they are sometimes suggested to strengthen your core or abdominal muscles. Lifting both legs together while lying on your back is a very demanding exercise on the core. If back and stomach muscles are weak this activity can make back pain worse. Instead, try lying on your back with one leg straight and the other leg bent at the knee. Keep your back flat on the floor. Slowly lift the straight leg up to about 6 inches and hold a few seconds, lower the leg slowly. Repeat this activity 10 times, then switch legs.

Try: Wall-sits - stand 10-12 inches from the wall, then lean back until your back is flat against the wall. Slowly slide down until your knees are slightly bent, pressing your lower back into the wall. Hold for a count of 10, then carefully slide back up the wall. Repeat this activity 8-12 times.

Try: Press-up Back Extensions - lie on your stomach with your hands under your shoulders. Push your hands so your shoulders begin to lift off the floor. If it’s comfortable for you, slide your elbows on the floor directly under your shoulders and hold this position for about 10 seconds. Repeat activity 8-10 times.

Try: Bird Dog Pose - start on your hands and knees, and tighten your stomach muscles. Lift and extend one leg behind you. Keep your hips level, hold for 5 seconds and then switch to the other leg. Repeat 8-12 times for each leg, then try to lengthen the time you hold the position. As you gain strengthen and balance attempt to lift and extend your opposite arm in front of you for each repetition. This exercise is a great way to learn how to stabilize the low back during movement of the arms and legs. While doing this exercise don’t let the lower back muscles sag. Only raise the limbs to heights where the low back position can be kept steady and maintained.

Try: Bridging - lie on your back with knees bent and just your heels on the floor. Push your heels into the floor, squeeze your buttocks, and lift your hips off the floor until shoulders, hips, and knees are in a straight line. Hold for 6 seconds, then slowly lower your hips to the floor and rest 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 8-12 times. Avoid arching your lower back as your hips move upward. Avoid overarching by tightening your abdominal muscles prior to and throughout the lift.

Spending just a few minutes each day doing some basic exercises will strengthen muscles in your back, stomach, arms, and legs. Movement is good for the back and making a lifestyle choice to be more active can lessen back strains and pains.

Back Basics: An Ounce of Prevention

Back strains are one of the nation’s most common types of workplace injuries. Approximately 80% of the American population will have a back injury in their lifetime. Back injuries are painful and have the potential to significantly impact daily activities. They are seldom the result of a single event but are usually caused by years of not maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are a number of ways to lessen your chance of a back injury: using proper lifting and handling techniques, being more active in your daily life (walking more, taking stairs, exercising), eating properly (watching what you eat and how much), and being aware of your posture (how you stand, sit, and even sleep).

Maintaining A Healthy Back

Back health involves more than just using proper lifting techniques. Other contributing factors include:

• Good posture, whether at home or work, reduces back, neck, and shoulder strain.

• A well-balanced diet will keep your weight under control. Carrying extra weight can alter the back’s natural curves and place unnecessary stress on the lower back.

• Learning to relax (participating in a leisure activity or hobby) can reduce stress and muscular tension that builds up in the back during the day.

• Smoking negatively impacts your back by reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients available to spinal discs that are needed for good health and healing.

• Regular exercise appears to be more effective at preventing back injuries than lifting training programs, smoking cessation, and losing weight. Exercising strengthens and improves flexibility of the back and abdominal muscles. Exercise also lessens the severity of back injury and promotes the healing process. Having a daily exercise routine is good, but for some it is hard to discipline yourself to do it. Try just getting more movement in your day – walk more, take the stairs, take mini-breaks and walk around the office or outside for just a few minutes at a time. Doing a little something is better than doing nothing.

• Using proper lifting techniques lowers stress placed on the back. No single lifting technique works in all situations. Sometimes you have to make the best of a difficult situation. Think before you lift, have a plan of action, and if it is more than you can handle on your own ask for help or use a mechanical lift (a cart, hoist, etc.). Always lift properly using multiple muscle groups, not just your back muscles. Do this whether you are at work, at home, or at play.

Basic Lifting & Lowering Techniques

• Plan the lift, including the route, obstacles, doors, and stairs.

• Estimate the weight of the object by tilting the corner.

• Spread your feet about shoulder width apart.

• Bend your knees.

• Securely grip the load.

• Keep the load close to your body.

• Tighten your stomach muscles before you lift.

• Lift slowly and evenly; avoid rapid jerky motions or simultaneously lifting and twisting.

• When changing directions, step in the direction of the intended travel, turning your entire body at the hips, pivot your feet, don’t twist at the waist.

Other Back Stressors

Prolonged sitting or standing can lead to back strain. If sitting for long periods of time, it is important to use good posture, frequently change your position, and take regular walk breaks. When standing, use good posture, wear soft-soled shoes, use arch supports, and do not lock your legs in position. Do isometric exercises to lessen the tension on muscles that have been overworked and stretch muscles that have not been being used.

Slips, trips, and falls are a leading cause of back injuries. Proper housekeeping of spills and debris and keeping aisle-ways clear of materials and equipment can significantly reduce the potential for back injuries caused by falls.

Using ergonomically designed lifting and moving tools can also reduce back injuries. Take the time to get and use carts, pallet movers, and lift trucks to lift and move heavy or awkward loads. Finally remember if the load is too heavy or awkward don’t be afraid to ask for help.

City of Weatherford: A CMOM Success Story

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has stated that “The maintenance and repair of [city] sewers is a corporate or proprietary function of a city and the city is liable for injuries sustained because of its failure to maintain and repair sewers properly.”  Oklahoma law requires municipalities “to use reasonable diligence and care to see that such sewer is not clogged ... and is liable for negligence in the performance of such duty to a property owner injured thereby after reasonable notice of the clogged condition of its sewer.”[1] 

During 2004, the City of Weatherford had 48 sanitary sewer overflow claims resulting in a Consent Order from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Included in the Consent Order was the development of a CMOM (Capacity, Management, Operations, and Maintenance) Program to control their sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs).  

The 2005 implementation of Weatherford’s CMOM program included the purchase of a trailer-mounted jetter and a dedicated crew of two full-time employees tasked with sanitary sewer collection system maintenance and record keeping for annual reports to OK-DEQ. Today their program has grown to three full-time employees, two trailer-mounted jetters, two vacuums, and a rover CCTV camera complete with a van. Weatherford has gone from having 48 SSOs in 2004 to averaging less than 2 per year from 2005 through 2018. Liability costs are greatly diminished and quality of life for the residents of Weatherford has improved. 

The City of Weatherford’s sewer maintenance crew cleans over 250,000 feet of sewer line per year and video inspects about 3,400 feet per year. Their CCTV camera (OMAG has a grant for CCTV camera purchase assistance) removes the guesswork in determining what obstructs the line (roots, grease, debris, line collapse, etc.) and where exactly the problem is in the line. Then they can develop a plan to fix the problem and service the line. Weatherford uses root foam on about 7,000 feet of line per year (OMAG has a grant for Dukes Roots purchase assistance). Larry McKillip and his crew recommend using a Warthog jetting nozzle when jetting lines especially if they contain root balls. Larry says the Warthog is much more effective than mechanical cutters and saws, because the saws get stuck and are hard to dislodge, resulting in the need to dig up a line and break the pipe to retrieve the tool.  

Trent Perkins, Public Works Director for Weatherford stated, “maps are critical for productivity.” That is why the city contacted their local COG (Council of Government)- SWODA for assistance in locating and mapping their water and sewer lines.  Through a grant (COG provides grant assistance for REAP and CDBG programs provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce,) the city has a viable computerized map showing the locations of all their water and sewer lines as well as manhole locations. OMAG can also assist member municipalities in gaining helpful information about their sewer systems using the SL-Rat (Sewer Line -Rapid Assessment Tool). This tool is loaned to cities and towns to quickly assess and map their sewer lines and determine what areas of town need maintenance, repair, or replacement, so municipal leaders can formulate a plan and budget for said infrastructural improvements. It is our belief the SL-Rat is an excellent tool for municipalities to use if they are seeking a REAP or CDBG grant.  

Since sanitary sewer overflows are the most frequent liability claim filed against municipalities and authorities annually, and the cost of SSO claims continues to increase each year, OMAG recommends our cities and towns investigate utilizing resources to rehabilitate their aging sewer infrastructure. 

A CMOM or any sewer line maintenance program is a costly start-up investment in time, staffing, and money, but it will quickly pay for itself by reducing sanitary sewer back-up claims. Citizens like to see capital improvements like new fire trucks, police cars, parks, and ballfields (the stuff we can see), but it’s also true they don’t like to have raw sewage running into their homes and businesses. Oklahoma leaders have been talking about our aging and disintegrating infrastructures for years. It is time to start making plans for major overhauls of these systems. Don’t wait for a consent order from OK-DEQ - take advantage of the resources available to you and start making the changes now.  

According to Trent Perkins, “Personnel is the most important factor in the success of a sewer maintenance program, that and having the proper equipment, but support from the city’s mayor and council is key to our success.” Mike Brown, Mayor of Weatherford stated, “The City of Weatherford is thankful and proud that OMAG recognizes our efforts utilizing the CMOM program. Trent Perkins and his crew do an outstanding job maintaining our water and sewer lines. We appreciate the partnerships with SWODA and OMAG working with Weatherford to provide the best services available to our citizens.”  

[1] Spencer v. City of Bristow, 2007 OK CIV APP 67, ¶ 12, 165 P.3d 361, 364 

Protecting Yourself from Cold Stress Illness

Workers who are exposed to extreme cold or work in cold environments may be at risk of Cold Stress. Extremely cold or wet weather is a dangerous situation that can cause occupational illness and injuries such as hypothermia, frostbite, and trench foot.

Trench Foot

Any injury to the feet resulting from prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions that can occur at temperatures from 60 degrees or below, when the feet are constantly wet due to sweat or immersion in water.

Symptoms: Reddening of the skin, numbness, leg cramps, swelling, tingling pain, blisters and ulcers, bleeding under the skin, gangrene (foot turning grey, dark purple, or blue).

First Aid: Remove shoes/boots and wet socks; Dry feet thoroughly; Avoid walking on feet (may cause tissue damage) for 3-10 days as per doctor’s recommendations.

Frostbite

Any injury to the body that is caused by freezing, which most often affects the nose, cheeks, chin, ears, fingers, and toes.

Symptoms: Reduced blood flow to extremities (mentioned above), numbness, aching, tingling/stinging pain, bluish or pale waxy skin.

First Aid: Get into a warm area out of the weather ASAP; Unless necessary do not walk on frostbitten feet/toes; Immerse the affected area in warm (not hot) water, or warm the affected area with body heat. Do not use radiating heat from hot pad, furnace, electric heater, or fireplace for warming; Do not rub or massage the frostbitten area (may cause tissue damage).

Hypothermia

A condition in which the body uses up its stored energy and can no longer produce heat. Often occurs after prolonged exposure to cold temperatures.

Early Symptoms: Shivering, fatigue, loss of coordination, confusion/disorientation.

Late Symptoms: No shivering, blue skin, dilated pupils, slow pulse and breathing, loss of consciousness.

First Aid: Seek immediate medical attention; Move victim into a warm room/shelter; Remove wet restrictive clothing; Warm the center of the body first (chest, neck, head, groin) using blankets or skin to skin contact under loose dry layers of blankets, towels, clothing; If the victim is conscious and lucid give them warm (not hot) non-alcoholic drinks; Once body temperature has increased, keep them dry and warm in blankets including head and neck; If no pulse, begin CPR.

Preventative Protection

Watch or listen to weather forecasts and prepare for the day:

• Monitor your physical condition and that of your co-workers

• Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions (Keep warm and dry)

• Be aware that some clothing may restrict movement putting you at greater risk due to loss of circulation; Wear loose fitting layered clothing

• Protect ears, face, hands, and feet in extremely cold, wet, windy conditions

• Take breaks in warm locations (but not overheated); Limit the amount of time outside

• Carry extra socks, gloves, hats, jacket, blankets, and a thermos of warm liquid

• Include chemical hot packs in your first-aid kit

• Avoid touching cold hard objects with bare skin

SEWER NEWS: Understanding CMOM (Capacity, Management, Operations and Management)

CMOM programs are a best practice for sewer line collection system owners and operators. Both comprehensive and holistic, a CMOM provides an information- based plan to effectively run a sewer collection system and help lower the risk of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit violations and discharge violations. The EPA notes in their Asset Management for Sewer Collection Systems fact sheet: “Lacking adequate focus on operations and maintenance, many collection system utilities have slipped into a reactive mode, with most of their operational resources allocated to emergency response and rehabilitation or replacement of failed systems.” Instead, a proactive and even predictive approach is encouraged by following the CMOM program.  

In 2005, the EPA published a guide to evaluating and structuring a Capacity, Management, Operation, and Maintenance program. The CMOM approach is not enforced by regulatory authorities, nor is it legally binding, but can be mandated as a response to consent decrees. CMOM program documentation and subsequent audits may also be required when submitting applications for an NPDES permit. The goal of the CMOM process is to assure that discharge from treatment facilities is free from pollutants. Therefore, preventing sanitary sewer overflows, which are illegal under the Clean Water Act, is a priority. 

In a CMOM program, emphasizing all four segments equally will reap the most benefits, but the backbone of the program is the management portion. Utility optimization through CMOM programming aims to be adaptable, changeable, and frequently updated, moving away from the traditional long-interval master plans. Therefore, it is difficult to implement a CMOM program without reviewing the internal components of managing a collection system – things like organizational structure and staffing, training and budgeting. An effective management system helps ensure the operations and maintenance portions of the program can fully be addressed. 

Collection system operation also supports review, standardization, and transcription of activities and procedures within a department. Proper documentation allows for increased accessibility and accountability with a collection system’s organization. Operators and administrators thus identify and reflect best practices and ensure processes are kept consistent. This information, time and again, proves valuable in the event of an emergency. 

The EPA notes some of these responsibilities may include “monitoring discharges into the collections system for individual users; monitoring to determine the effects of sanitary sewer overflows on receiving waters; and recording any sampling that is done, according to the Guide for Evaluating CMOM Programs at Sanitary Sewer Collections Systems. Other operational activities include safety procedures and emergency preparedness and response programs. The EPA guide also lists modeling and mapping under the operations umbrella. New technologies, like tracking with flow rate monitors, are making it easier to create and structure managerial and operational tasks and even automate some maintenance activities. 

Operation and maintenance are often grouped together because their activities are so interrelated. The goal is to keep maintenance planned, as opposed to unplanned. Efficient assets have a longer useful life and reduce the likelihood of failure, decreasing emergency response costs. Like other aspects of a CMOM program, establishing written protocols helps standardize procedures and provides data that can be analyzed for patterns and trends. 

Ensuring pipelines are prepared to carry the necessary capacity is a complex task. The capacity of a collection systems relies on a number of variables, including the population being served, total system size, and location of house lateral lines. A routine evaluation of capacity can be coordinated in conjunction with the other operations and maintenance activities to round out a CMOM program. Determining capacity requires both testing and inspecting, which largely focus on finding sources of inflow and infiltration (I&I). I&I is a significant contributor to SSOs and CSOs during wet-weather events. Inspections are moving away from confined-space entry methods for the safety of inspection personnel, instead opting for qualitative testing and methods that utilize CCTV inspection technology and collect comprehensive data. Rehabilitation programs are also essential to CMOM and the goals of avoiding emergency situations and staying preventive and predictive. 

Implementing a CMOM program is not an easy task. It is both comprehensive and complex but worth the investment of time and resources because the benefits can be felt in both the short and the long term. In the pursuit of increasing efficiency, a CMOM program helps collection system owners and operators identify where the system and the organization as a whole are thriving and what areas need improvement. 

Thankfully, the bulk of the work in putting together a CMOM program is to codify and fine-tune existing processes within a collection system. The EPA and other government sources have released numerous resources to assist owners and operators in putting a CMOM program into action.  

Stop, Think and Act - A Useful Approach to Safety

Essentially our goal is to work safe, all day, everyday:

• Stop long enough to think about what you are about to do

• Think about how you are going to do it. Is it the safest way? If not, how can you do it better?

• Act in the safest way possible

 If you can get yourself and your coworkers to think for only a few seconds before doing anything, you can prevent a lot of injuries.

 Apply Stop, Think and Act:

These suggestions take only moments to implement, but offer lifelong benefits:

1. Start with yourself. Develop your own Stop, Think, Act habit so you are keeping yourself safe and constantly demonstrating the desired safe behavior.

2. Build it into orientation training, so that everyone hears the message from the beginning.

3. Reinforce it during your weekly or daily meetings. These meetings are an ideal opportunity for everyone to discuss hazards and how to stay safe.

4. Coach workers one on one. Before someone starts a new task, work through the Stop, Think, Act process together. Watch for people acting impulsively, they may not take into account what could go wrong. They start at point “A” and don’t think of consequences that may occur at points “B” and “C”.

Remember: Safety is everybody’s job, all day, every day.

Avoid Cross Bore Disasters

Directional drilling is a fast and efficient way to install underground pipe and conduit, but when a gas line is bored through a sewer line, disaster can ensue. 

Cross Bores – when a line bores through a sewer line – have been the cause of catastrophic events in the past. To combat this issue, municipalities, utilities, contractors, and the trenchless industry must join forces to ensure proper pre- and post-inspections are conducted and avoid disaster. 

There are almost always more connections than what surface observation suggests. The reality is that subsurface most likely there are more connections than marked after an 811 call. Municipal utilities must learn to spatially map out subsurface infrastructure during routine maintenance to improve accuracy for 811 locator requests. 

Auditory systems with GPS capabilities (SL-Rat) and CCTV Camera systems have made an incredible positive impact on finding the missing conditions. By using an auditory inspection system like the SL-Rat (OMAG has several to loan to municipalities) a municipality can map their sewer system.  Then they can use a CCTV camera (OMAG has grants available for these) through sewer mains.  In this way, line taps can be identified and recorded to inform utilities or system owners, and potential hazards can be addressed prior to drilling. Equally important is to make post-drill inspections to confirm lines have not been breached during installation of a utility. 

While gas or communication lines are typically what we think of when we hear the term cross bore, directional drilling of other utilities can negatively impact the integrity of our sewer systems as well.  

Developing a partnership between utility owners and municipalities is critical if cross boring events are to be identified and addressed to keep communities safe. Developing a comprehensive prevention program between the municipality and utility owners where they share the costs and get cross bore inspection work done economically and responsibly is a win-win for the municipality, utility, and the customers. 

NASSCO, whose mission it is to set standards for the assessment, maintenance, and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, identified the need to set standards for proper cross bore prevention and detection. The worst thing that can happen is if an operator finds a cross bore and does nothing about it. Standard assessment and cleaning of mainlines could also potentially uncover cross bores masked by roots. If a cross bore is hiding behind roots that have infiltrated a pipe and the roots are cut, disaster could occur. A significant benefit of a regular chemical root control maintenance program is the ability to kill the roots without cutting or damaging pipes (OMAG has a root control grant with Duke’s Roots).  

In addition to municipalities and utilities working closely together, the relationship between utilities and contractors is extremely important for the implementation of a successful cross bore program. Developing a relationship with contractors laying pipe or conduits and working with them to identify hazards or challenges and working to develop unique solutions, provides better quality data and a higher level of confidence that we are keeping our communities, homes and businesses protected. 

The most common question pertaining to cross bore inspection and remediation is always “Who is responsible?”  The answer: “When is comes to keeping our community safe, we all are.” 

7 Myths About Dehydration

Myth #1: Dehydration is uncomfortable, but not dangerous.

• Fact: While most of us will only ever experience mild dehydration symptoms like headache, sluggishness, or decreased urine/sweat output, it can become severe and require medical attention. Serious complications include swelling of the brain, seizures, kidney failure, and even death, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Myth #2: If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

• Fact: It’s not too late. In fact, thirst is the body’s way of telling you to drink water, and you are not at risk of becoming dangerously dehydrated the minute you feel parched. When you get thirsty the deficit of water in your body is trivial because your body is a very sensitive gauge. You might actually have only about a 1% reduction in your overall water. The solution is to drink some fluid, preferably water.

Myth #3: Everyone needs to drink 8 glasses of water a day.

• Fact: This general rule of thumb is outdated, influenced today mostly by bottled water companies. So how much do you need to drink? Men roughly need to drink 3 liters (102 oz.) every day, and women require about 2.2 liters (78 oz.) per day. However, body weight has a lot to do with it. A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight by 2 and drink that many ounces of fluid per day (example: 200 lbs. = 100 ounces).

Myth #4: Clear urine is a sure sign of hydration.

• Fact: While keeping an eye on your urine output maybe isn’t the most pleasant summer activity, it really can provide a measure of how hydrated (or dehydrated) you are. But it’s not clear urine that you are looking for, rather a pale yellow. (Dehydration Urine Color Chart)

Myth #5: There is no such thing as drinking too much water.

• Fact: Over hydrating can be extremely dangerous – but it is relatively rare. Drinking too much water leads to hyponatremia, when levels of sodium in the body are so diluted your cells begin to swell. This usually causes nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion and fatigue, and can escalate to seizures and coma.

Myth #6: Exercise and hard work need sports drinks.

• Fact: If you are working out for less than an hour, water will do just fine. You don’t deplete electrolyte and glycogen reserves until you’ve been exercising intensely or performing moderate-hard work in heat and humidity for more than an hour.

Myth #7: Coffee, tea, and soft drinks dehydrate you.

• Fact: Only if you overdo it. While caffeine is dehydrating, the water in coffee, tea, and soda more than makes up for the effects, ultimately leaving you more hydrated than pre-coffee or pop. Consuming more than 3-5 cups of coffee or 40 ounces of soda could put you at risk for dehydration. Just remember to limit your caffeine input, drink in moderation and supplement with good old water. (see 5 Healthy Hydration Tips)