Safe sewer machines

HEADNOTE

Avoid injury by using proper precautions

A horror story: A man tells his helper to put a drain cleaning machine in a ditch filled with water. The frayed extension cord lies across the wet ground. The helper, wearing rubber boots, tries to use

the machine but complains he is getting shocked. The man dismisses his helper's complaint and gets in the ditch wearing street shoes. When he turns on the machine, he is electrocuted. Another horror story: A maintenance foreman has two of his men get in a hole to guide the drain cleaner cable into the line. The machine sits on the street above with an * inexperienced worker operating the foot pedal. When the cable hits an obstruction, it begins to buck. The men yell to stop the machine but their fellow worker doesn't hear them. The cable suddenly kinks. One of the men lets out a yell. He has just had two fingers ripped off his hand.

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Each of these sad stories could have been avoided if these men had followed some simple safety precautions, including:

1. Machines should be checked for damaged power cords and switches, pulled out strain reliefs and missing ground prongs.

2. All machines should have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). The GFCI should be integrated into the power cord so that not only the machine but the cord is protected as well.

3. Machines must be plugged into a properly grounded outlet. Be sure to use a UL-approved tester to make sure the outlet is safe.

4. Be sure all machines use a pneumatic foot pedal so there's no electricity running from the pedal to the machine.

5. If the power cord supplied with the machine is not long enough, be sure to use a 3-wire heavy-duty extension cord that is in good condition. Using lighter cords can result in severe power loss and motor overheating.

6. Wear only leather gloves. Never use any other type of glove - such as cloth or rubber - when handling the cable as these can get caught between the coils.

7. Cage-type machines and sectional machines designed for close-up operation should be placed within two feet of the drain. If you can't get the machine this close, run the cable through a pipe to prevent cable whipping.

8. Don't force the cable through the blockage. Excessive torque on the cable can cause it to whip and kink, and injure the operator in the process.

9. If using a sectional walk-behind machine, don't touch the cable at all while it's spinning. Use a cable feeding tool if you're having trouble getting the cable started in the drain.

10. Always wear safety glasses when operating the machine to protect your eyes from debris that might spray from the drain.

11. Drain cleaners are designed for one-person operation only. The person controlling the foot pedal or ON/OFF switch should also be the same person controlling the cable.

12. Make sure your machine has a belt guard.

13. Read the instructions provided with your machine. Follow the maintenance procedures outlined in it. Replace worn or lost safety decals.

No matter what safety features a machine has, no machine is safer that its operator. Make sure you and your customers are well versed in the proper safety procedures for your machine.

Information provided by General Pipe Cleaners.