Spring Remodeling, Planting Tip: Call 8-1-1 Before You Dig

This is a sample of underground wiring. This is not a residential site, but utility lines can be found underground in residential neighborhoods. Be safe – Call Before You Dig.

Are you planning on doing any home improvements?  Do these plans require you to dig up any dirt?  Well, let me give you the dirt on digging before you get started!

If you’re planning on doing any type of work related to landscaping, driving landscaping stakes into the ground, new fencing, anchoring supports for decks and swing sets, planting trees, removing tree roots, installing a new retainer wall, or even projects on a smaller scale, it’s always best to call before you dig!

The Ohio Utilities Protection Service (O.U.P.S.) is there to help you out.  As a homeowner it is important that you call O.U.P.S. at 8-1-1 or 1-800-362-2764 because not only is it best practice for your safety, it is also required by law.  O.U.P.S. asks that you call or contact them online by completing an e-dig request form within two to ten business days prior to starting your project.

Why should you make this call?  O.U.P.S. will help you determine the exact location of utility lines and/or the underground structure surrounding your home.  What if you don’t make the call?  By not calling you will risk costly property or environmental damage, explosion or fire on your property, utilities service interruptions, legal issues, injury, and possibly death.

How can you decipher between all of the utility lines?  Underground utility lines are color coded:

•  Red – Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables
• Yellow – Gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials
• Orange – Communication, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit
• Blue – Potable water
• Purple – Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines
• Green – Sewers and drain lines
• Pink – Temporary survey markings
• White – Proposed excavating

What if you hit a line?  For the protection of yourself and your crew, stop working and evacuate the area at once.  You should never try to repair any leaks or damages on your own, nor should you use your cell phone or anything else that can potentially cause a spark in the vicinity of the damaged line.  If you feel the damage is of an urgent nature, such as a gas line leak, then contact 9-1-1 immediately.  You should also contact the utility company as well as O.U.P.S.

Cleveland Public Power recognized for reliable electric operations

On March 25, 2013, Cleveland Public Power (CPP) was recognized for its commitment to the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service by the American Public Power Association (APPA). CPP was honored with the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP₃®) designation which recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement.

Brent McKinney, chair of APPA’s RP3 Review Panel and manager, electric transmission and distribution at City Utilities of Springfield, Mo., (far left) are pictured with CPP’s RP3 Team co-captain Marcia Hines, Commissioner Ivan Henderson, co-captain Valerie Banks and Mike Hyland, APPA senior vice president, engineering services (far right).

“Receiving the RP₃ platinum designation means a lot to us,” said Ivan Henderson, Commissioner of Cleveland Public Power. “This is the first time that we have applied for RP₃ designation and to come just a few points shy of 100 percent is awesome. It’s an honor to be recognized on a national level for the work we are doing here in Cleveland. It is a testament to the dedication of our employees to their community,” he said.  The RP₃ designation comes in three levels – gold, platinum and diamond.

Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson said of the recognition, “This recognition confirms what we in the City of Cleveland have known – we have a safe, reliable and competitive utility in Cleveland Public Power. They are working diligently to provide the best service available.”

Commissioner Henderson also said the recognition confirms the work that CPP has done over the last several years to position itself as a leader in the electric utility industry. “I am proud to say that as a team we succeeded.”

CPP’s reliability record was affirmed late last year as the utility lead electric service restoration following hurricane Sandy and helped restore customers outside of the city. CPP’s safety record had been confirmed locally and regionally over the last four years when the utility received The City of Cleveland’s “Most Improved Division in Employee Safety” for both 2010 and 2011 as well as a Safety Commendation from American Municipal Power in 2012.

The RP₃ program designates four specific areas to measure a utility’s adequacy in providing system proficiency. Reliability represents 30 percent of the total points required; safety and work development each represent 25 percent and system improvement makes up the remaining 20 percent. Criteria within each designated area are based upon sound business practices and a utility-wide commitment to a safe and reliable delivery of service.

Be Safe – Stay Away from Power Lines

As crews continue to work to repair power lines, it is important for residents to remember the following tips as it relates to low hanging and downed power lines:

Never touch, move or go near any downed or hanging lines. The first action should be to call 9-1-1 or your local utility. CPP’s Trouble Line can be reached by calling 216-664-3156.

• Do not put your feet in water where a downed line is laying
• Do not try to move tree limbs
• If you see someone who has come into contact with a downed line, do not touch them, again call 9-1-1
• If a line comes down on your car stay inside, roll down your window and warn others to stay away. Call authorities or ask a passerby to call authorities. The only time you should exit a vehicle with a downed line on it is if it has caught fire. If the vehicle is on fire, open the door and jump with both feet together to avoid contact with the car. It is metal and therefore you could receive a shock.

City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County Joint Information Center Activated for Severe Weather Event

The City of Cleveland Joint Information Center (JIC) has been activated in response to the a severe weather event that is sweeping across the area due to hurricane Sandy?

Currently, the divisions of Cleveland Public Power, Water Pollution Control, Water, Fire, EMS and Police have crews and staff on stand-by and ready to respond to emergency situations as they arise.

Please check City, County, Cleveland Public Safety and Cleveland Public Power social media accounts for updates as they become available.

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/CityofCleveland

http://www.facebook.com/ClevelandPublicPower

Twitter – @CityofClevelnd
@clesafety
@cuyahogacounty
@cppgreen

Safety Blog – http://www.clesafety.com

What to do in a Storm? Cleveland braces for Hurricane Sandy

At noon today the waves were high off of Lake Erie at E. 55th St.

As remnants of Hurricane Sandy make its way into northeast Ohio, forecasters are predicting extremely high winds and heavy rain with a potential for downed power lines, and power outages. In an effort to keep residents and customers ready and informed, Cleveland Public Power offers the following tips for storm safety:

• Downed power lines – Never touch, move or go near any downed or hanging lines. The first action should be to call 9-1-1 or your local utility. CPP’s Trouble Line can be reached by calling 216-664-3156.

• Do not put your feet in water where a downed line is laying
• Do not try to move tree limbs
• If you see someone who has come into contact with a downed line, do not touch them, again call 9-1-1
• If a line comes down on your car stay inside, roll down your window and warn others to stay away. Call authorities or ask a passerby to call authorities. The only time you should exit a vehicle with a downed line on it is if it has caught fire. If the vehicle is on fire, open the door and jump with both feet together to avoid contact with the car. It is metal and you could receive a shock.

• Power outage and food safety – Unless there is a major outage extending more than 4 hours, your food should be safe in the refrigerator as long as you leave the doors closed. After that point you may want to begin to prepare and/or eat the food.

• Food in the freezer will hold much longer. According to the USDA, “a full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.”
• If it appears the outage will last for a prolonged period of time, the USDA advises obtaining dry ice or block ice to keep the refrigerator cold. The USDA reports “fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days.”

•  In Home Tips – unplug and avoid using major electric appliances and avoid using the telephone. You should also avoid using the telephone because in the even of a lightning strike these lines and other wires can conduct electricity.

We are asking our residents and customers to follow storm protocols of seeking shelter, and to call  us at 216-664-3156 to report outages.

In the event of widespread outages customers will also be able to follow updates as well as report outages on Twitter, by following @cppgreen.

The APPA Lineworkers Rodeo rocks into Cleveland, OH in 3 Days!

In just 3 days Cleveland Public Power will co-host the 12th Annual Lineworkers Rodeo at Marquette Field, 1146 Marquette St. just south of the Lake Erie Shores. This day long competition will feature Public Power Lineworkers from all over the United States, and Guam exhibiting their skill and knowledge in simulated real life situations.

This free event is open to the public and will take place at Marquette Field, 1146 Marquette Avenue between St. Clair and South Marginal Road, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and continuing until 3 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity to showcase the skill and knowledge of our lineworkers,” said CPP Commissioner Ivan Henderson. “The Rodeo gives our residents an opportunity to see first-hand what it takes to bring power into their homes, and it affords our guys the opportunity to participate in some good natured competition that helps improve their skills.”

“While the events look like fun they simulate real life scenarios that linemen are exposed to everyday,” said Steven Holland, co-chair of the Rodeo Committee. “The anxiety of the events being judged on time and safety while in competition with your industry peers provides an environment of learning from the best of the best.”

Cleveland Public Power lineworkers (l-r) Jeff Bremer, Jim Maly, Shemill Johnson and Davey Morales are geared up and ready to compete in the 12th Annual APPA Lineworkers Rodeo Saturday, April 14th. (Photo by Shelley M. Shockley)

In addition to hosting the Rodeo, CPP will have one team and eight apprentices competing. The utility will raffle off a quilt at the event with all proceeds to benefit Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.), a local non-profit working to empower Cleveland youth between the ages of 14-19.

This family-friendly event also features a Kids’ Zone with inflatables, face painting, coloring areas and games.

For more information on the Lineworkers Rodeo, please visit http://www.publicpower.org/rodeo/ or http://www.cpp.org/rodeo.html.