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MPWLEADERNovember 2014“RB X-40’s design is amazing.”- Mike Conkle

Continued on page 3

There are a multitude of reasons why MPW Industrial Services is constantly investing in technology. The company wants to increase efficien-cies and keep ahead of its competitors.

But the most important reason MPW spends significant resources on cutting-edge equipment is to maximize the safety of its personnel.

Such is the case with MPW’s automated wash-down system, commonly referred to as the RB X-40.

MPW Engineering Manager Brent Kaiser and Project Coordinator Mike Crothers designed and built the RB X-40 specifically to clean fly ash from duct work at AEP’s General James M. Gavin Power Plant in Cheshire, Ohio.

Producing 2,600 Megawatts, Gavin is the largest coal-fired power plant in Ohio, and one of the largest in the U.S.

The RB X-40 is attached to the inside of a

door, facing the area where the fly ash has accumulated. It is placed on a track, giving it the ability to move left, right, up or down.

The operator monitors the cleaning process via video monitor and controls the aim and spray nozzle with a controller that works similar to a joystick.

The RB X-40 sprays water at a high flow rate and a relatively low pressure (approxi-mately 300 PSI), which is the most com-mon process for fly ash washing, according to Kaiser. It can also operate at higher pressures and flow rates.

Cameras and lights on the unit allow the operator to see inside ducts — which are typically 12 feet wide and 12 to 14 feet high — and spray at the fly ash that builds up in depths ranging from 2 feet to 8 feet. Ad-ditionally, it can operate inside any confined space and blast almost any material.

Kaiser noted two key parts in RB X-40’s functionality. The first was the video moni-tor, which utilizes technology originally de-signed for the fire-rescue industry.

Secondly, the team incorporated a spray-mist mechanism that keeps the camera clean, which can be tricky given the sticky debris flying around.

Mike Conkle, MPW’s Branch Manager at Gavin, said the RB X-40 is a resounding success.

The temperature of the ash ranges from 600 to 800 degrees, according to Conkle. The deeper the pile, the more dangerous it is to spray.

“When you spray water into hot fly ash, it can flash back at you and that can be a dangerous situation, especially inside of duct work,” Conkle said. “The RB X-40 really helps minimize that danger for our employees.”

Conkle had his doubts about RB X-40’s effectiveness before MPW used it at Gavin for the first time on September 13 and 14.

RB X-40 is MPW’s key link between technology and safety

November is MovemberGrow your ’stache in support of testicular

and prostate cancer awareness

November 27 is Thanksgiving!

Enjoy a nice meal with your family

Midwest District forms Health and Safety Team

A friendly reminder:

In order to portray a consistent, professional image, please remember to utilize the Marketing Department as a resource for any signage or other marketing collateral that utilizes an MPW logo or photo.

MPW’s Branding Guidelines, Letterhead Templates, PowerPoint Templates and logos are available on SharePoint under Marketing.

App of the Month: Microsoft OfficeView, create, and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents

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MPW Industrial Services’ Midwest District held its first Health and Safety Team meeting October 30 at Corporate Headquarters in Hebron.

Health and Safety Manager Bob Morris organized and led the meeting.

Morris said the goal of the first meeting was to introduce every-one, begin the team-building process and set the parameters and expectations of the team to fall in line with MPW’s new Corporate Mission Statement.

“Our ultimate goal is to improve MPW’s safety culture through proactive behavior and communication,” said Morris. “It was an extremely productive first meeting.”

Personnel represented the branch locations of Hebron, Cones-ville, Chillicothe, Cheshire and Mansfield at the meeting.

Health and Safety team members will act as liaisons to their re-spective branches and to management.

“They’re responsible for coaching their co-workers, discussing

incidents and promoting corrective actions,” said Morris.

Morris said the team plans to meet monthly for the next five months before switching to a quarterly meeting schedule. Mem-bers will serve on the team for a minimum of two years.

Midwest District Health and Safety Team Mission Statement: Promote and execute actions to continuously improve the safety culture for all MPW team members. Do the right thing even when nobody is looking because with every action there is a reaction.

The Midwest District Health and Safety Team is comprised of: Morris, Tom Hartman, David Twyman, Jimmy Peck, Mark Widebrook, Chris Shaw, Charles Queen, Tony Woods, Billy Queen, Dwain Beaver, James Black, Alan Pelow II, Josh Price and Scott Lenhart.

MPW Employee Referral Bonus ProgramDo you want to earn $700?

MPW will pay a bonus of $350 for each person you refer who is hired and completes six months of service. You earn an addition-al $350 after your referral completes one year of service.

If you know someone who would be a good fit at MPW, please submit the person’s name and contact information for your

chance to receive your Employee Referral Bonus.

Contact your Office Manager or HR Generalist for a referral card.

For more information contact HRIS & Recruiting Supervisor Tyler Tatman at 1-800-827-8790, ext. 5672, or email ttatman@mpwservices.com.

Anniversaries• 32 YEARSAMUEL HAWKINS

• 26 YEARLONNIE BROWN

• 17 YEARMICHAEL FROST

• 16 YEARMICHAEL METZLER

• 15 YEARCEDRIC INFANTE

• 14 YEARJOHNATHON HOLBROOKTONYA SULLIVAN

• 12 YEARMICHAEL MCCORMICKRUFUS PEARSONKATHY REYNOLDS

• 10 YEARJAMES ANTAYAOMER ASHLEYTIMOTHY BLAIRRONNIE BOWLINGJEREMY BROWNKIM ECHOLSJOHN HALLJOHN HANKSSANDRA HARRISONODESSA HAWKINSHIRAM PROCTOR

• 9 YEARGARY BIGHAMMARK BORNHOFTVINCENT WHITE

• 8 YEARBRANDON BRUNSANGELA REDMAN

• 7 YEARTIMOTHY CRAFTJERMAINE FISHBURNEVISHAL JAINJEFFERY RICHEL

• 6 YEARJAMAL CONNORLORI LAWSON

• 5 YEARRONALD COLEDAVID HALLJASON MAGNUSONDUANE POWERSJASON RAVERTDENNIS RODMANANDREW VANTILBURGKENNETH WOLFE

RB X-40 from page 1

“I’m an old-school guy,” said Conkle. “When someone told me they were going to design and build something that would remove a person from the space, I just didn’t think it would work. I didn’t think you would be able to see what you’re doing.”

Conkle’s reservations were short-lived.

“It was spectacular,” he said. “It totally exceeded expectations. The design was amazing. I was impressed with the spray radius and the way the operator can accurately aim the water. I didn’t

think they’d be able to accom-plish that.”

AEP’s Safety Department was also very excited about the results.

“The feedback from the cus-tomer was all positive,” said Crothers. “Everyone was shocked at how well it went. The Safety Department at Gavin was tickled to death.”

Conkle said the RB X-40 also increases efficiency by remov-ing procedures that are neces-sitated when a technician has to enter the confined space. The result is a shorter outage for the

customer.

Also, Gavin is able to keep its boilers on-line longer as a result of the increased quality of RB X-40’s cleanings, according to Crothers.

MPW has numerous future ap-plications in mind for RB X-40.

“We can use it anyplace where we have to wash any material,” said Kaiser. “We’ve already de-veloped a mobile robotic base (the M1 Crawler) we can use instead of attaching it to a fixed spot. We can add a vacuum or even a lance machine to that base.”

Halloween Costume contestants

In order to save time, increase efficiency and promote safety, MPW’s Executive Committee advises the use of vacuum seals instead of duct tape.

According to Account Manger Joel Tallman, the use of seals has made the vacuum processes at AEP Conesville simpler, faster and easier to clean up due to the reduction in usage of tape and trash bags. Additionally, with the use of vacuum seals, techni-cians do not need to use a knife to remove the tape.

If you have any questions about obtaining or using vacuum seals,

please contact ICG Parts Warehouse Manager Dustin Kieber at 1-800-827-8790 or dkieber@mpwservices.com, or Joel Tallman at 614-595-8590 or jtallman@mpwservices.com.

Suggestion to technicians using vacuum tubing:

Leader Spotlights

Family: Wife of 34 years Linda; Daughter: Tonjya Price; Son: Ronnie Jr.; Five grandsons: Brenden, Breven, Braden, Dante, MathayusPlaces lived: Moberly Mo.; Sedalia, Mo.; Jackson-ville, Fla.First Job: Hauled can milk Hobbies: Hunting, working on old cars, playing pokerLittle Known Fact about yourself: I love to play in poker tournamentsFavorite Lunch Spot: The End ZoneFavorite Sports Team: ChiefsFavorite Smell: Fresh-baked breadFavorite Song: “Boys ’Round Here” by Blake SheltonFavorite Season: SpringFavorite Movie: “JFK”What was the last book you read? “Rush Revere and the First Patriots: Time-Travel Adventures With Exceptional Americans” by Rush LimbaughFavorite Vacation Spot: FloridaAlways wanted to try… To play in the World Series of PokerThree words to describe yourself: Honest, dedicated, hardworkingSuperpower you wish you had: See into the future Your secret to a good life: Happy wifeMost Cherished item(s): Old coins from my fatherCan’t go a day without… CoffeeThe one thing you will never understand: Be-ing lateWhat helps you unwind after work? Happy hourOn the weekends you can be found… At MPW Plant in SedaliaWhat drives you? To be the best at anything I commit toGreatest Accomplishment? Keeping a woman happy for 35 yearsOne day to live, what do you do? Spend it with my wife, children, and grandsonsWhat is your favorite thing about working at MPW? The different challenges and the opportu-nities that are available

RONNIE PRICEPLANT MANAGER, INDUSTRIAL WATER

SEDALIA, MO.

Family: Mother, father, four siblings, two nieces and two nephewsPlaces lived: Baltimore, Ohio and Athens, OhioFirst Job: Hostess at Bob EvansHobbies: It’s going to be kettlebell workoutsLittle Known Fact about yourself: I can play the harp with my feetFavorite Lunch Spot: None. It’s about the people with youFavorite Sports Team: The winning teamFavorite Smell: Fresh morning airFavorite Song: “Learning to Fly” by Tom Petty (one of many)Favorite Season: SpringFavorite Movie: “Fight Club” (one of many)What was the last book you read? “Freakonom-ics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything” by Stephen J. Dubner and Stephen D. LevittFavorite Vacation Spot: New York City, Virginia BeachAlways wanted to try… Backpacking across EuropeThree words to describe yourself: Brown eyes, brunette, 5’4”Superpower you wish you had: TeleportationYour secret to a good life: Appreciate the good momentsMost Cherished item(s): My two catsCan’t go a day without… Diet Mountain DewThe one thing you will never understand: Drivers who pull out in front of me forcing me to hit my breaks and they proceed to drive under the speed limitWhat helps you unwind after work? Reading a good book with a glass of wineOn the weekends you can be found… Serving pizza and cold beerWhat drives you? The desire to leave my foot-print (in a positive, green way)Greatest Accomplishment? Is yet to comeOne day to live, what do you do? Spend time with loved onesWhat is your favorite thing about working at MPW? The people. Not just those I work with directly in the Training Department, but everyone I have met has been more than willing to offer information, perspective and their expertise when it comes to MPW.

BRYAN WARRENFIELD SERVICE REP, INDUSTRIAL WATER

GULF COAST REGION

Family: My son, daughter and my girlfriend and her two daughtersPlaces lived: Zanesville, Ohio; Oklahoma; TexasFirst Job: Three Way Tire – changed tiresHobbies: Baseball – My son has played travel ball since he was 8. I have traveled all over the U.S. supporting my son’s dreams. Little Known Fact about yourself: After Katrina hit New Orleans, the company I owned at the time fed 168 families that were placed near my home town. What an amazing time we had.Favorite Lunch Spot: Larry’s French MarketFavorite Sports Team: Baseball – Detroit Tigers Football – Atlanta Falcons Favorite Smell: My girlfriend’s perfume! Favorite Song: “Paint Me A Birmingham” by Tracy LawrenceFavorite Season: Summer Favorite Movie: “Law Abiding Citizen”What was the last book you read? The David H. Paul Manual Favorite Vacation Spot: Angel Fire, New MexicoAlways wanted to try… ParasailingThree words to describe yourself: Fun, spontane-ous, outgoing Superpower you wish you had: X-ray vision. It gets very difficult to see what’s going on inside tanks and vessels. Your secret to a good life: Live one day at a time and enjoy it as if it were your last!Most Cherished item(s): The Lord’s Prayer card I got from my mother’s funeral. It stays in my wallet every day. My family!Can’t go a day without… Speaking to my familyThe one thing you will never understand: The timing of death! What helps you unwind after work? There’s no such thing, LOL! Family! On the weekends you can be found… If not working I can be found hanging out with family and friends! What drives you? A strong work ethic. Just the everyday challenges and the want and desire to make sure that whatever I do is 100 percent. Greatest Accomplishment? My kids.One day to live, what do you do? Spend it with family and friends and plenty of boiled crawfishWhat is your favorite thing about working at MPW? The People! But being in the field a lot and getting to interact with customers and hear their feedback as well sure ensures that I am working for a world-class outfit.

COLLEEN EDDYTRAINING COORDINATOR

HEBRON, OHIO

$700 Referral Bonus!*OPEN POSITIONS AT MPW •StaffAccountant-Hebron •Recruiter-Hebron •CADOperator-Hebron •IndustrialEngineer-Hebron

Formoreinformationortorefersomeone,pleasecontact:TylerTatman,HRIS/RecruitingSupervisorat740.927.8790x5672orttatman@mpwservices.com. *ContactHRfordetailsandrequirements