By Laura Corley
FORSYTH, Georgia
A man was killed in what his employer says was a freak accident Friday at a wastewater treatment plant in Monroe County.
James Kip Evans, 52, was in a 7-foot deep ditch trying to saw some pipes at the waste water treatment plant on Town Creek Road off Ga. 83 about 11 a.m. when he was gashed in his neck with the chop saw, Monroe County sheriff’s Sgt. Lawson Bittick said.
He was taken to a Macon hospital where he died 20 minutes after his arrival, Bittick said.
Evans, of Forsyth, worked for Utility Partners LLC, which handles the plant’s operations.
From his office in Alpharetta late Friday afternoon, Utility Partners President Bob Monette said he was still upset about the loss of a senior employee and a longtime friend.
“He was just cutting a piece of pipe today — something he’s done a thousand times, frankly,” said Monette, who arrived at the plant minutes after Evans was gashed. The blade was pinched between two pieces of pipe and “when he was pulling it out, it hit him on his neck. He immediately dropped to his feet, dropped the saw,” Monette said.
Co-workers came to Evans’ aid, putting pressure on his neck to stop him from bleeding.
“He just lost so much blood. It’s just a freak accident,” Monette said.
The Occupational Health & Safety Administration was called to investigate. Evans, a grandfather and stepfather, had been working for Utility Partners since 2006, when it contracted with the city.
“He’s the kind of person you like to have as part of your work force,” Monette said. “He really kept everybody’s spirits up. He was always pleasant to be around, always worked hard.
=====================
Chop Saw Safety
- For operation of the chop saw, a full face shield and safety glasses are required. Operators should always wear safety glasses under a full face sheild.
- Gloves, loose clothing, jewelry, or any dangling objects including long hair should not be worn as they may catch in the rotating parts of the saw.
- All guards must be in place and operating. If a guard seems slow to return to its normal position or hangs up, adjust it or repair it immediately. Unplug or lockout power when making repairs.
- Hands and fingers must be kept clear of the path in which the blade travels.
- Clean the lower guard frequently to help visibility and movement. Unplug before adjusting or cleaning.
- Use only the recommended RPM and sizes of blades.
- Regularly check and tighten the blade and the blade-attachment mechanism.
- Prior to installing or changing a blade, be sure to lockout or unplug equipment. Ensure that the blade and its related washers and fasteners are correctly positioned and secured on the saw's arbor.
- To avoid losing control or placing hands in the blade path, hold or clamp all material securely against the fence when cutting. Do not perform operations freehand.
- Never re-cut small pieces. Long material should be supported at the same height as the saw table.
- Never place hands or fingers in the path of the blade or reach in back of the fence.
- Use the brake if one is provided. To avoid contact with a coasting blade, do not reach into the cutting area until the blade comes to a full stop.
- After completing a cut, release the trigger switch and allow the blade to come to a complete stop, then raise the blade from the workpiece. If the blade stays in the cutting area after the cutting is complete, injury can result from accidental contact.
WMAZ 3:24 PM. EST August 06, 2016
UPDATE: City manager Janice Hall has identified the man who died in a power-saw accident at Forsyth's water-treatment plant.
She said he is Kip Evans of Forsyth.
Evans worked for Utility Partners, a company that manages the city's water and wastewater facilities.
Monroe County Coroner Joey Proctor says it happened around 11 a.m. at the plant on Town Creek Road.
Proctor says Evans was working on a water-line at a 12-foot ditch when the power saw jumped and cut him in the neck.
The man died around 12:20 p.m. at the Medical Center-Navicent Health in Macon.
Hall released this statement:
A tragic accident occurred this morning at the city of Forsyth northeast wastewater treatment facility which resulted in the death of Kip Evans, a Utility Partners employee. The City of Forsyth contracts with Utility Partners to manage the water and wastewater treatment facilities of the city. City Manager, Janice Hall stated that “City government is a family and Kip was a vital part of that family and he will be greatly missed”. Mayor Wilson stated “as a community we mourn the loss of Kip and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and with Utility Partners at this very difficult time”.
Hall said she had no further information on the cause of the accident.
-------------------------------
A man died after a power-saw accident at the City of Forsyth's wastewater treatment plant.
Monroe County Coroner Joey Proctor says it happened around 11 a.m. at the plant on Town Creek Road.
Proctor says a contractor was working on a water-line at a 12-foot ditch when the power saw jumped and cut him.
The man died around 12:20 p.m. at the Medical Center-Navicent Health in Macon.
The victim's name has not been released.
The accident is still under investigation.
Investigators for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration have been called to the scene.
Check back with 13wmaz.com for more on this developing story.
================
Powered Hand Tools - Saws - Circular
What should you do before start cutting with a circular saw?
- Wear safety glasses or goggles, or a face shield (with safety glasses or goggles).
- Wear an approved respirator or dust mask when exposed to harmful or nuisance dusts.
- Use appropriate hearing protection equipment in noisy areas.
- Check the retracting lower blade guard to make certain it works freely.
- Ensure that the blade that you have selected is sharp enough to do the job. Sharp blades work better and are safer.
- Check the saw for proper blade rotation.
- Set the depth of the blade, while the saw is unplugged, and lock it at a depth so that the lowest tooth does not extend more than about 0.3 cm (1/8") beneath the wood.
- Keep all cords clear of cutting area.
- Circular saws are designed for right-hand operation; left-handed operation will demand more care to operate safely.
What should you do to work safely with a circular saw?
- Check the retracting lower blade guard frequently to make certain it works freely. It should enclose the teeth as completely as possible, and cover the unused portion of the blade when cutting.
- Check that the retracting lower blade guard has returned to its starting position before laying down the saw.
- Keep upper and retracting lower blade guard clean and free of sawdust.
- Disconnect power supply before adjusting or changing the blade.
- Allow the saw to reach full power before starting to cut.
- Use two hands to operate saws - one on a trigger switch and the other on a front knob handle.
- Keep motor free from accumulation of dust and chips.
- Select the correct blade for stock being cut and allow it to cut steadily. Do not force it.
- Secure stock being cut to avoid movement.
What should you avoid when cutting with a circular saw?
- Do not hold or force the retracting lower guard in the open position.
- Do not place hand under the shoe or guard of the saw.
- Do not over tighten the blade-locking nut.
- Do not twist the saw to change, cut or check alignment.
- Do not use a saw that vibrates or appears unsafe in any way.
- Do not force the saw during cutting.
- Do not cut materials without first checking for obstructions or other objects such as nails and screws.
- Do not carry the saw with a finger on the trigger switch.
- Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance.
- Do not rip stock without using a wedge or guide clamped or nailed to the stock.
========================
UTILITY PARTNERS
CITY OF FORSYTH
Forsyth, GA
The City of Forsyth was Utility Partners' first client in the State of Georgia and was the first client to be provided water treatment expertise and services. Initially awarded on an emergency basis, the agreement between the City and Utility Partners has now been extended to include a full term.
Our staff operates the Russellville (4.0 MGD) surface water treatment facility and the distribution system. Our certified operations staff is on-site at this facility twenty-four hours per day. There are 4 elevated water tanks and more than 30,000 feet of pipe in the distribution system that we maintain.
We operate the Northeast (2.0 MGD) and South (1.0 MGD) wastewater treatment facilities, perform laboratory testing, and process solids using a belt press. There are 12 sewage pumping stations that are maintained in the collection system.
