December Industry News

Maine Sewage Tank Deaths Remain Under Investigation; PRO Was Among Victims at Reno Air Races Crash; United Site Services Acquires Black Tie Companies; Dog Saved From Falling in the Septic Tank; SSPMA Holds Fall Meeting; Bio-Microbics Named Kansas Exporter of the Year; FS Solutions Adds Online Courses; General Pipe Cleaners Redesigns Website; Werts Welding & Tank Adds to Sales Team

Maine Sewage Tank Deaths Remain Under Investigation

Two workers found inside a pump tank serving a hotel in Kennebunkport, Maine, in September died from inhaling toxic hydrogen sulfide gas and sewage, according to autopsies.

The workers for Stevens Electric and Pumper Service, Monmouth, Maine, were Winfield Studley, 58, and Richard Kemp, 70. Both men had years of experience working in confined-space situations. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the deaths.

According to media accounts, the sewer pump tank at the Lodge at Turbots Creek had been pumped by another contractor before the men entered the 4-foot high, 5-foot wide and 6-foot long tank to work on a submersible pump. Neither was wearing special breathing equipment when they were discovered, according to reports.

The men were discovered in the tank shortly after it was pumped on Sept. 27. The tank was full, leading to speculation that wastewater from a municipal sewer system had flowed back into the private system while the men were working.

“We are deeply saddened by the deaths of our friends and co-workers, Richard Kemp and Winfield Studley,’’ owner Tim Stevens said in a statement at the company’s website. “It’s a tragedy for two families, two communities and everyone who knew Dick and Win. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and many friends. It’s a terrible day for many people.”

 

PRO Was Among Victims at Reno Air Races Crash

Sharon Olthea Stewart, an event worker for Reno-based Sani-Hut Co. Inc., was among 12 people killed in a crash at the National Championship Air Races in Reno. Stewart, 47, was cleaning in a VIP box area Sept. 23 when a plane flying in the aerial races went out of control and crashed into the nearby tarmac, according to news accounts.

Pilot Jimmy Leeward, 74, of Ocala, Fla., apparently lost control of his World War II-era P-51 Mustang. It nosedived into the tarmac in front of the grandstands, sending shrapnel into the crowd. The victims included the pilot, Stewart and spectators in the VIP section.

Stewart leaves behind a partner of 35 years, Jose Luis “Joe” Cacheux-Ojeda, and four grown children. Sani-Hut was profiled in the April 2010 issue of Pumper magazine.

 

United Site Services Acquires Black Tie Companies

Westborough, Mass.-based portable sanitation provider United Site Services acquired the assets of Black Tie Companies. According to USS, the assets were purchased from three companies including Black Tie Event Services, Black Tie Manufacturing and Black Tie Sanitation Service.

USS announced it would continue to operate the Black Tie trailer fleet nationwide working with other portable restroom operators. USS will continue to manufacture restroom trailers for the sanitation industry and its own use. The company has arranged to sell Black Tie Sanitation Service to Gary, Ind., company Service Sanitation Inc.

 

Dog Saved From Falling in the Septic Tank

A baffle off by 30 degrees and protruding up through a 3-foot-deep outlet manhole saved a German shepherd from falling into a septic tank in Sierra Vista, Ariz. Don Long of American Septic Service was pumping the tank when the dog jumped over the backyard wall and began rolling in the grass next to the tank. Pumper Dawn Long was standing with her back to the tank explaining maintenance to the owner when the dog hit her leg as it rolled past and fell down the manhole.

The baffle broke the shepherd’s fall but, being unglued, the baffle snapped off when struck by the dog. Those few seconds gave the animal time to grab the side of the structure with its claws as subcontractor Nik Avitia dove for him just ahead of Don Long. “He was losing his grip when Nik rescued him,” Dawn Long says. “The owner said the dog is so special that she would have gone in after him no matter what. We wanted to share the story to stress that pumpers can’t be careful enough while a tank is open.”

 

SSPMA Holds Fall Meeting

The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association held its fall meeting at Metropolitan Industries, Romeoville, Ill. The member company provided an overview of its various products and projects, including a tour of its green energy and water independent facility. Featured at the general meeting was a new training program for sizing sewage pumps, including a working calculation example that can be downloaded, and a newly designed association website, www.sspma.org.

 

Bio-Microbics Named Kansas Exporter of the Year

Bio-Microbics Inc. was named 2011 Kansas Exporter of the Year. The award was presented by Gov. Sam Brownback at the company’s headquarters in Shawnee, Kan. Founded in 1996 to commercialize wastewater and stormwater technology for decentralized homes and communities, Bio-Microbics is represented in 60 countries. The annual award encourages growth of the state’s international commerce by showcasing successful exporters. Winners are chosen based on innovation and contributions to economic growth, as well as community involvement.

 

FS Solutions Adds Online Courses

FS Solutions added two advanced online training courses to help customers increase job safety, operation efficiency and regulatory compliance. The courses, Estimating the Vacuum Job and Maximizing the Power of Waterjetting Through Tip and Hose Selection, target experienced professionals seeking training beyond the fundamentals. The online courses include tests that each individual must pass with a grade of at least 80 percent to receive a certificate.

 

General Pipe Cleaners Redesigns Website

General Pipe Cleaners’ new website, www.drainbrain.com, provides quick access and details on drain cleaning machines, high-pressure waterjets, video pipe inspection and location systems, water leak locators, pipe freeze kits, pipe thawing machines, cables and cutters.

 

Werts Welding & Tank Adds to Sales Team

Mike Evans, Andrew Ricci and Josh Rule joined the outside sales team at Werts Welding & Tank Service Inc. Evans is responsible for several Midwestern states. Ricci is based at the company’s Des Moines branch, responsible for Northwestern and Western states. Rule is based out of the Atlanta branch serving the Southeast.



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